Betfair Masters Snooker Final Tips: Robertson looks a class apart

Neil Robertson is odds-on favourite to retain his Masters title

Paul Krishnamurty previews today's Betfair Masters final between defending champion Neil Robertson and world number one Mark Selby...

In the sport's first season without it's biggest star for 20 years, a frequently aired question concerns who can lay claim to Ronnie O'Sullivan's mantle as snooker's top dog. Today's Betfair Masters final between Neil Robertson and Mark Selby will not produce a definitive answer, but it does offer a significant clue. As world number one, the rankings favour Selby. Punters, however, prefer Robertson to successfully defend his title, installing the Melbourne Machine as 1.748/11 favourite.

Both men were amongst my four pre-tournament recommendations and both needed to produce unlikely comebacks just to get past the first round. So far as this week's efforts are concerned, however, that is where the comparison ends. In keeping with his recent performances in snooker majors, Robertson has looked the complete player at the top of his game, without weaknesses. The draw couldn't have been harder for the defending champion, who needed to produce world class performances to defeat Ding Junhui, Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy. Robbo's match with Allen particularly stands out as the best of the tournament. 

In stark contrast to that high-class section, Selby has struggled for any fluency in laboured victories against weaker opponents. That of course needn't discount him because, even at his worst, Selby's tactical nous and steely nerve can salvage the most desperate situations, as Robertson found to his cost when blowing a 4-0 lead in last month's UK Championship. Those phenomenal powers of recovery have been on display again this week, with last night's 6-5 victory over Graeme Dott the ninth time he's needed a deciding frame in 14 victories at this event. Selby produced a great comeback against O'Sullivan to win his second Masters title in 2010 so if it goes to the wire, one would have to favour the Jester from Leicester.   
 
Nevertheless, I'm not convinced it will get that close and doubt Selby will be able to cope with Robertson's heavy scoring. Nor, whatever went wrong during their bizarre match at the UK Championship, should there be any doubting Robertson's temperament. The Aussie's record in big finals is superb, winning seven out of nine, including on this stage 12 months ago. In addition to backing him to win the match at 1.774/5, lets try a couple of correct score bets on Robertson to win 10-6 and 10-7 at combined odds of around 5.04/1.

Recommended Bets

Back Neil Robertson 5u @ 1.774/5
Back Robertson to win 10-6 1u @ 10.09/1
Back Robertson to win 10-7 1u @ 10.09/1