The Masters Snooker 2025 Predictions: Higgins one of three for Ally Pally

It may have only been last week that we saw the end of the World Darts Championship at Ally Pally but we're back there again this weekend, for the start of another massive sporting event, The Masters Snooker.

As always we have our snooker expert Dean Strand (@DSSnookerTips) on hand, with his comprehensive preview and The Masters Snooker 2025 Predictions.

History, Location and Format

The Masters is the second longest running (after the World Championship) and the most prestigious invitational tournament on the snooker calendar and forms part of the Triple Crown, alongside the Worlds and the UK Championship.

Originally held at the West Centre Hotel, London in 1975, the tournament is entering its 51st year and has been held all over London, apart from one year in Milton Keynes during the COVID pandemic. The tournament was held at Wembley for over 30 years but in 2012 it was moved to its new home at Alexandra Palace, London.

This year's event runs from Sunday 12th to Sunday 19th January. The event will be broadcast on the BBC, Eurosport and discovery+ in the UK.

The invitational field consists of the top 16 players in the snooker world rankings, however, the defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, who won a record-extending eight title after beating compatriot Ali Carter 10-7 in the 2024 final, has withdrawn from the tournament on medical grounds.

He will be replaced by the Australian Neil Robertson. The current World Champion, Kyren Wilson is now the number one seed.

Other multiple winners include Stephen Hendry (six), Steve Davis, Mark Selby and Cliff Thorburn (all three times). The Masters trophy is named after another three-time winner here, Paul Hunter, who sadly passed away at the age of 27 with cancer.

Prize Money

The Masters Odds

0.5 pts - John Higgins each-way (1/2 - 2 Places) @ 16/1

John Higgins was due to face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round on Sunday afternoon but following the withdrawal will now open his campaign against Neil Robertson.

Robertson might not be the easiest first round draw but he’s still lacking form and there’s a reason he’s not currently in the top 16. He also won’t have been expecting this opportunity, so likely hasn’t been practising as much as he would in preparation for other tournaments. I still make Higgins slight favourite for this one.

Robertson has lost in the first round here in each of the last two years, and four of the last five.

Higgins doesn’t have an amazing record in this event having not won it since 2006 but he did reach the final just four years ago beating Ronnie along the way and two of his three defeats here since then have come in deciding frames against Williams and Allen.

He can’t meet any top 5five players until the semi finals now and avoids Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson, the current best two players in the World until at least the fina,l so 16/1 looks a good each way bet for me.

0.5 pts Si Jiahui each-way (1/2 - 2 Places) @ 20/1

In quarter 2 I’m backing debutant Si Jiahui, a player that’s shown huge improvements over the last couple of seasons to break into this top 16.

So far this season he’s reached a quarter, semi and final, particularly impressive in the International Championship with a dominant 6-2 win over Trump in the semis.

Entered the Championship League earlier this week and after losing his first match went on to win seven in a row to qualify for the Winners group so clearly looks in good form heading into this one.

Like Higgins he’s in the top half of the draw so avoids the two form players and 20/1 looks a good each way price.

0.5 pts Luca Brecel each-way (1/2 - 2 Places) @ 20/1

My final each way pick is Luca Brecel.

Brecel is a player who goes missing for long periods but when he’s on form is more than capable of winning anything.

He was showing signs towards the end of last year that he was finding his form again and looked very good in the Riyadh Snooker Championship beating Zhang, Kyren Wilson and Mark Williams on his way to the final where he was beaten by Mark Allen.

Hasn’t had much success here in the past but he can turn it on at any time, he’d never won a match at the Crucible before last year but even on to win the World Championship.

Check out the rest of our Snooker Betting Tips over at Betfred Insights.