Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump set for UK snooker final

We have, what for many is, the dream final at the Coral UK Championship snooker between four-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan and young pretender to his title of green baize genius Judd Trump.

The tournament sponsors make O’Sullivan their odds-on 1/2 favourite, but Bristol boy Trump beat ‘the Rocket’ en route to lifting this trophy three years ago.

In terms of their head-to-heads, there’s precious little in it. Rocket Ronnie leads ‘the Ace in the Pack’ 7-6, including a 10-7 victory in last month’s Champion of Champions final at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

York hosts the UK Championship in its Barbican Centre, and this latest renewal of O’Sullivan versus Trump comes over a two-session best of 19 frames format. All other rounds at this even are the first to six.

Trump is a 13/8 outsider to upset O’Sullivan, as he did in a Masters quarter-final in 2012 and a last 16 clash at this tournament the year before.

Coral are offering some fantastic match specials on this encounter. Rocket Ronnie is a 15/8 chance to take the title and make the highest break of the final, while Trump is a tasty 10/3 to do likewise. Odds for a 147, something O’Sullivan achieved in dispatching Matthew Selt, here are 12/1.

Given the strong start made by ‘the Juddernaught’ in his semi-final against Stephen Maguire and slowness from the Rocket to hit his stride in his battle with Stuart Bingham, backing Trump in the race to four frames at 29/20 must be considered.

O’Sullivan’s last four fixture went the distance, while poor shot selection from Trump when 5-1 up almost meant the same in his semi. Odds of 9/2 say there will be a deciding frame in this fantastic final.

Rocket Ronnie has come from behind against both Bingham and quarters opponent Anthony McGill. This resilience and mental toughness was missing from O’Sullivan’s game earlier in his career, but could be key in shaping the destiny of the outcome here.