Mark Selby vs Ali Carter: prediction & betting tips 13/01/2025

In the last 6 years, Ali Carter has only qualified for the Masters twice, and has reached the final both times. In 2020, Carter was 17th, but Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew from the tournament, and Carter headed directly to Alexandra Palace, reached the final and lost to Stuart Bingham 10-8. Last year, Carter had a great first half of the 2023/2024 season, qualified for the Masters on his own and reached the final, where he lost to Kyren Wilson 10-7. Although before that, Carter usually lost in the first round or did not participate in the Masters at all. Therefore, now Carter is full of desire to repeat his success at the beginning of the season. Ali won the short-format Championship League, but did not even reach the quarterfinals in other tournaments. Carter allowed a lot of unnecessary losses to players such as Bulcsu Revesz, Ma Hailong, Daniel Wells and Jackson Page. Carter is always very focused on winning, and sometimes becomes a hostage to his own emotions.

Carter's opponent in the first match was three-time Masters winner Mark Selby. Mark defeated John Higgins 10-5 in the British Open final and is in 12th place in the seasonal rankings. Over the past 10 years, Selby has lost either in the first or second round at the Masters, although before that Mark played much better at Alexandra Palace and reached the final more often. A lot will depend on the psychological shape of snooker players. And for the game tone, Selby and Carter play in the Championship League before the Masters.

Bookmakers consider Mark Selby a clear favorite, but we all know about Ali Carter's fighting spirit. So, I think Carter can beat Selby, especially since Ali already defeated Mark 6-4 at the 2020 Masters, when he reached the final. But I will offer a bet on the number of centuries from Carter. Ali has made about half as many centuries as Selby. This season, the Captain made just 14 centuries, while Selby has made 38. And it seems to me that Carter is now betting not on breaks, but on the ability to cling to frames at any cost. So, in equal endings, he can show his character. But I doubt that Carter will make a century.