The World Snooker Tour sees its second ranking event of the season kick off this week, with the world’s best heading to Nuremburg in Germany for six days of world-class action. With £427,000 on the line at the Kia Metropol Arena, expect some high-quality snooker action at the European Masters 2023 incorporating plenty of entertaining matches along with some great betting to be had.
Shaun Murphy began the 2023-24 season the way he finished the last – by winning. With the Englishman playing some of the best snooker of his life, can he establish himself as a regular trophy winner in 2023-24? And what about Ronnie O’Sullivan, snooker’s GOAT, who hasn’t won a title since May 2022?
We look at all the latest odds from bookmaker William Hill and break down the best bets to make on the European Masters 2023 this week.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 20th, 4:00 P.M. (GMT)
Even though Ronnie O’Sullivan is currently on a real dry streak, the Englishman is still the odds on favourite to win the European Masters 2023. Paying 6.00, O’Sullivan holds a moderate lead over Judd Trump on 8.00 and Mark Selby alongside Neil Robertson, who both sit at 9.00. Behind these four, the man of the hour Shaun Murphy rounds out the top five betting favourites, paying 11.00 to win in Nuremburg.
Two big questions are on every snooker fan’s mind heading into the European Masters 2023. Can Shaun Murphy keep winning and can Ronnie O’Sullivan keep not winning? We say it will be the former and here’s why.
Shaun Murphy is the hottest thing in snooker right now and not many would be able to argue against it. The Englishman finished 2022-23 by winning two of his final four events. Now, Murphy has claimed the opening tournament of the new season. Clearly, the man’s form is no fluke—it takes consistency to go all the way in the Championship League, which is exactly what he did last month.
Given that both Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson haven’t played an event yet this season, and Judd Trump fell relatively early in the Championship League, it’s very realistic that none of them will pose a threat to Murphy in Nuremburg. As outrageous as it seems for him to win four of the last six events on the World Snooker Tour, that’s exactly what it looks like will unfold over the coming days. We say back the Englishman to win another, for great odds of 12.00.
