Date tipped: 28/12/2005
Date of event: 15/1/2006
Sport: Snooker
Event: Snooker : Masters 1st Round Match (S Bingham v S Davis)
Selection: Stuart Bingham
Odds: 1.909
Stake: 250
Advice:In snooker circles it is generally acknowledged that current world number 22 Stuart Bingham is probably a top 5 player right-now, and although he is ranked some 19 places lower than his 1st round masters opponent Steve "Interesting" Davis he should have no problem seeing off the "Romford Slim".
Davis did well to get to the finals of the UK back in December but was beaten fair and square by Ding Junhui. That match and those previous drained Davis to the hilt. He will still be feeling the effects of that tournament so Bingham who himself dropped out of the UK in the quarters should be able to take full advantage.
Bingham showed a glimmer of things to come in the first three rounds at York taking the scalps of Robert Milkins 9-4, Pot Black winner Mathew Stevens 9-3 & drubbing poor Mark Davis 9-2. His quarter's loss to an in-form Joe Perry was inexplicable. Perry made an amazing start, which Stuart found difficult to peg-back. Perry put in a freak century break in the 17 frame sending Bingham into self-destruct mode. Perry duly finished him off 9-8 but not without a titanic battle.
Davis played amazing in the UK beating the likes of Stephen Maguire, Ken Doherty & Stephen Hendry enroute to his 10-6 final loss to Ding. But for a 48 year-old to follow that up at the Crucible would be astonishing. He started the season ranked eighth and now lies in 3rd, expect this figure to only grow larger.
Bingham will take the measure of Davis lining himself up a 2nd round draw of Peter Ebdon, which the boy from Basildon will relish. Take him to also stuff Ebdon and progress to the QuarterFinals and a toughie with crackpot world maestro Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Should O'Sullivan come into this one in the same frame of mind as he left the UK, with handkerchief over face, Bingham will suddenly become near favourite for the title.
Ranked 40 last year Bingham is charging through the current rankings and will be top ten in no time. Expect him to achieve that by firstly taking the scalp of Steve Davis. Best price across the boards is the 1.90 on offer at Sportingodds. Take $250 worth.
Stake : $250 To Win $227 (Excluding Stake)