2020 Betfred World Matchplay – Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic taking place? Tuesday 21st July, 2020 (session starts at 18:00 (UK))
Where is Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic taking place? Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
What channel is Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic on? Sky Sports
Where can I stream Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic? The 2020 Betfred World Matchplay will take place behind closed doors
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Michael Smith beat Mensur Suljovic 10-6
THE LOWDOWN
MICHAEL SMITH
- 2019 World Matchplay runner-up Michael Smith’s impressive finishing helped him cruise through to round two with a 10-3 victory over Jonny Clayton.
- The match could have turned out differently though had Clayton taken some of his early chances. The Welshman was first to a double in four of the opening five legs but it was Bully Boy who led 4-1 at the first break.
- Smith improved thereafter and took total control of the game, going on to finish the contest with an average of 101 and a checkout percentage of 62.5%.
MENSUR SULJOVIC
- 2018 Matchplay finalist Mensur Suljovic came back from 9-7 down to win 12-10 in an enthralling high-quality first round encounter against Jamie Hughes where both players averaged over 100.
- A strong start to the match from Suljovic had seen him lead 4-1 at the first interval but Hughes fought back excellently and looked to have victory within his grasp when he was one leg away from progressing through to the last 16.
- The Gentle was forced to dig very deep and scored an impressive ten 180s during the encounter whilst also taking out five ton-plus checkouts including finishes of 127 and 112 in the final two legs of the contest.
THE PREDICTION
Two former World Matchplay finalists face-off in this second round encounter and if their respective performances in round one are anything to go by then we should be treated to a high-quality contest. The level of play shown by Suljovic in his victory against Hughes was perhaps more unexpected as the Austrian hadn’t shown that standard on the big stage for a while, and if he were to replicate that standard then he would certainly be in with a good chance of winning this game. The Gentle was let off the hook by Hughes at crucial moments though and the way Smith finished against Clayton suggests he will be more ruthless when the opportunities arise. It’s a tough game to predict but Smith is predicted to just have the edge at the end of a thriller. The main betting tips are for over 18.5 legs in the match and also for the contest to contain a checkout of over 127.5.