UK Championship day five predictions and snooker betting tips: Ding's love affair with York can continue

Where to watch the UK Championship

Live on BBC, Eurosport and Discovery+ from 1pm & 7pm Wednesday

Best bets for the UK Championship

Ding Junhui to beat Shaun Murphy
1pm Wednesday
2pts 4-5 general

Barry Hawkins to beat Dave Gilbert
1pm Wednesday
1pt 4-5 general

UK Championship predictions

The UK Championship seems to bring out the best in Ding Junhui, who is a three-time winner and has finished runner-up in the last two seasons, and the Chinese sensation can tee up another shot at the quarter-final with victory over Shaun Murphy.

Ding was made to dig deep in the opening round but, having trailed 5-3 to Robert Milkins, he turned on the style with breaks of 135, 63 and 57 to complete the turnaround.

A lack of consistency and focus means Ding has underachieved in recent seasons but he ended a five-year wait for a ranking title at the International Championship earlier this month and that should ensure he is brimming with belief at a venue he truly loves.

Murphy also won 6-5 in his opener, outlasting 2021 champion Zhao Xintong, but Ding is a different proposition at the York Barbican and should have his measure.

There are three more last-16 matches taking place and, having stunned Ronnie O’Sullivan in round one, Barry Hawkins should be able to build on that against Dave Gilbert.

The Hawk was fully deserving of his victory over O’Sullivan which featured a series of big breaks and the market may be giving too much respect to Gilbert, who is bidding to make a maiden UK Championship quarter-final. 

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