Stephen Maguire v Barry Hawkins Snooker Tips Visit Betfair Poker Save For Later Posted by Bettingpro Staff 17 Apr 2011 Tweet Related Articles See all Snooker World Championship news Share it Pin It Stephen Maguire may be an underachiever but his record in Sheffield is pretty solid and he could yet summon the steeliness required of a champion. He should certainly be able to defeat his first round opponent.You can bet in play on the snooker at BetfairNot without reason, Stephen Maguire is a player who few punters warm to. The Glaswegian has had his moments, winning four ranking events including a UK Championship, but would surely be the first to admit that much more could and should have been achieved. At his best, Maguire is one of the finest breakbuilders ever to pick up a cue, and would be a genuine contender for this title. On other occasions, the nickname 'On Fire Maguire' has seemed like a bad joke.The problem has always been temperament. Maguire fell apart under pressure from a late John Higgins charge here in the 2007 semis, and his old practice partner produced a similar comeback in their recent Welsh Open final battle. Another weakness is an inability to put bad shots behind him and 'dig in' when things aren't going well.All of that may well prove his undoing again, but it'ss unlikely to matter too much at this early stage of the tournament. Whatever his wider faults, Maguire is very effective in the early rounds against inferior opposition. Despite failing to win an event over the past three seasons, he's made 14 quarter-finals from 23 events. He's also won his last five first round matches at Sheffield, and only ever lost at this stage to Ronnie O'Sullivan.That record compares very favourably with tomorrow's opponent, Barry Hawkins, who has lost all five previous matches at the Crucible. So does recent form, as Hawkins hasn't even reached a last-16 since the World Open last October. To be fair, Barry is a better player than that record suggests, but at 24th in the provisional rankings, he's hardly in the same league as the world number six.For my money, 1.5 about Maguire represents one of the best odds-on bets of the first round. A couple of correct scores on 10-6 and 10-7, paying around 4.0 combined, is also recommended.Recommended BetsStephen Maguire @ 1.5 (vs Hawkins)Maguire to win 10-6 @ 8.0Maguire to win 10-7 @ 8.0(all odds at Betfair) Read our Betfair Poker review Get up to $2500 free at Betfair Poker Like Like Post to wall 434 Reads All Snooker News Recent Snooker Articles World Snooker Championship 2013 Odds - Ronnie Favourite To Defend Crucible Crown08 May 2012Ronnie O'Sullivan has been installed as the early favourite for next year's World Snooker Champions Ronnie O'Sullivan winning slide show08 May 2012Ronnie O’Sullivan wins the 2012 Betfred World Snooker Championship Ronnie O'Sullivan 13/2 for fifth world snooker title in 201308 May 2012Ronnie O’Sullivan looks sure to defend his World Snooker Championship title in 2013 – but has warne Ronnie O'Sullivan 16/1 to break World Snooker Championship title record08 May 2012Ronnie O'Sullivan is taking a break from snooker but Ladbrokes are backing 'The Rocket' to return a O'Sullivan Within Touching Distance of Fourth World Title07 May 2012Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Ali Carter 15-10 after their penultimate session this afternoon and needs j Will Ronnie O’Sullivan announce his retirement from snooker tonight?07 May 2012Ronnie O’Sullivan has indicated he could be set to quit snooker on Monday evening after his 2012 Wo More Stories Recent Articles League Two Play-off Final First Goalscorer Cashback at Boylesports27 May 2012Boylesports are continuing their popular First Goalscorer cashback promotion on Sunday's League Two League Two Play-off Final Cashback at Coral27 May 2012Coral bookmakers are running cashback specials on Sunday’s League Two Play-off Final between Chelte 17:30 Celebration Standard Open NH Flat Race27 May 201217:30 Celebration Standard Open NH Flat Race 17:20 Kilsaran International Maiden27 May 201217:20 Kilsaran International Maiden 17:10 Aylsham Show - 27th August Bank Holiday - Lady Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle27 May 201217:10 Aylsham Show - 27th August Bank Holiday - Lady Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle 17:00 Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup (Open Hunters' Chase)27 May 201217:00 Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup (Open Hunters' Chase) More Stories Tags Stephen Maguire V Barry Hawkins
