UK Snooker Day 3 Tips: Head to head record makes King a must-bet

Mark King tends to enjoy playing tonight's opponent

Both of Paul Krishnamurty's 'bets of the day' delivered over the weekend. Can he keep the run going tonight with the following recommended trade on Mark King?

Employing a 'back-to-lay' strategy on Marco Fu paid dividends for us yesterday and tonight's battle between the two Marks presents a similarly ideal opportunity, where the outsider is overpriced. It isn't often that we get the chance to take 3.55/2 about an outcome that has won four times in a row, yet that's precisely what the recent head-to-head record between Williams and King shows.

Of course twice UK champion and four-times finalist Williams deserves favouritism. Since both of this pair turned pro in the early-nineties, King has never threatened to reach the same world-beating heights as the Welshman, settling instead for a constant battle to retain a top-16 spot. However, while rarely worth a second thought regarding the tournament winner market, King can be a tricky opponent for his superiors in the early rounds and has made an impact in the UK Championship before, reaching the semis in 2004 and the highest break in 2006. A 6-0 victory over Xiao Guodong to qualify bodes well regarding his form.

The fact Williams clearly has struggled to get his measure of late could be significant. In any head-to-head sport, players will have opponents they enjoy playing and those they feel less confident against. Williams remains admirably consistent, a regular quarter-finalist, but hasn't been at his fluent best for a couple of years now. Many of his matches descend into scrappy, tactical affairs nowadays and if tonight's contest goes down that road, his equally experienced opponent won't mind one bit.

The trading plan is to stake five units at 3.55/2 on King, then place an in-running lay order for ten units @ 1.758/11. If King shortens to the target, we'll double our money.

Recommended Bet

Back Mark King  @ 3.55n/a