8th July 2012

Stevens vs Wenbo Betting: Matthew Stevens' end of season form should be too much for Wenbo

Matthew Stevens finished last season well with his run to the semi finals of the World Championship and he will look to get this season off to a good start too when he takes on Liang Wenbo in the opening round of the Australian Goldfields Open on Monday. Stevens pulled out of the Wuxi Classic with a back injury which might give Wenbo come confidence but even so the Welshman is 4/7 with Blue Square to progress.

Matthew Stevens was actually in good form throughout the whole of last season from the UK Championship onwards. Only Ronnie O’Sullivan was able to stop him at Sheffield but then nobody had any answers to Ronnie that week. Any fears that Stevens could still be struggling with his back were allayed last week when he took part in the Six Red World Championship where he lost to Stephen Lee in the last 32.

Liang Wenbo lost in the qualifying round for the Wuxi Classic. He lost to Rod Lawler which at the time looked a bad result but Lawler made it into the last 16 of the tournament so perhaps it wasn’t so bad. Wenbo never played in the Six Red World Championship so this will be his first match since he beat Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon in the qualifying round for this tournament. He will however have fond memories of playing Stevens here last year and winning 5-4.

I expect Matthew Stevens to turn that result around though. Stevens really found his form at the end of last season and if he can pick up where he left off then he should have too much for Wenbo who still pushes the boat out way too often for my liking and still lacks a little bit of table craft. Stevens is adept in the tactical department and really scored well at the end of last season so a repeat of that form should be enough for a comfortable win here.

Back M.Stevens (-1.5 frames) to beat L.Wenbo for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Boylesports