Tour Championship Snooker 2024 Odds: Mark Allen is one to watch

The penultimate event of the season, the Tour Championship, kicks off tomorrow as the top 12 players on the seasons one year list battle it out in Manchester.

There has been a slight change to the format this year, with 12 players entering instead of eight meaning the top four seeded players will begin their campaign in the quarter-final with the bottom eight playing in the first round.

Mark Allen to win Outright @ 14/1 

Allen is a player i’ve backed on numerous occasions this season and odds of 14/1  appeal again for ‘The Pistol’ here.

In a season dominated by Ronnie and Judd it’s been tough for other players to stand out from the pack but Allen has impressed with three trophies this season including the previous tour series event the Players Championship in February.

Also lifted the Champion of Champions trophy earlier in the season beating Trump 10-3 in the final and showing again that he enjoys these smaller field events.

Doesn’t have an easy draw with Higgins followed by Ding but he’ll still be favourite for both these matches and with best of 19s throughout the event he’s going to be a very tough player to beat.

Gary Wilson to win Quarter 3 @ 6/1

My sec0nd bet is for Gary Wilson to win the third quarter.

Making his debut in this event after easily his best ever season with quarter final appearances in the Grand Prix and Players Championship as well as winning 2 ranking events, the Scottish and Welsh Open.

Tricky match against Selby first up but Selby has been far from his best lately and Wilson has beaten ‘The Jester’ over distance before, with a 13-10 in the World Championship a few years ago.

If he comes through this one i’d expect him to be favourite against Zhang Anda in the quarter finals.

Will be full of confidence at the moment and odds of 6/1 look good value for him to win 2 matches.

Tom Ford to win Quarter 1  @ 12/1

My final pick is Tom Ford to win the first quarter.

With Mark Williams and Judd Trump the two players he needs to overcome to reach the semi final stage Ford is undoubtedly the outsider of the three but he’s here on merit, sitting ninth on the one year list with three quarter finals and a runner-up appearance.

First round opponent Mark Williams hasn’t been in great form, losing his last three with only two wins from seven including heavy defeats to McGill and He Guoqaing.

Ford has also played Trump in three best of 19s previously too, winning one of them and losing the other two 10-8 so he’s more than capable of competing against the top seed.

Trumps record in these smaller field events isn’t as strong either as he tends to take a match or two to find his form, hasn’t won here since 2021 after failing to qualify last season and losing in previous edition first rounds to Brecel and Hawkins.