O'Sullivan vs Higgins: John Virgo Trophy Final Betting Preview & Pick

The Pick

Back Ronnie O'Sullivan to win the John Virgo Trophy final at evens or better. The Rocket looked razor-sharp in dismantling Stephen Hendry 6-1 in Saturday's semi-final, and that kind of clinical efficiency — even in an exhibition-format event — is precisely the form signal you want heading into a high-profile final. Higgins got the job done against Mark Williams, but he was made to work significantly harder, recovering from 2-0 and 4-3 down before steadying the ship. O'Sullivan's head-to-head dominance in finals and his evident sharpness make him the value play here.

The Match

Sunday evening at Goffs in Ireland brings us the final of the inaugural John Virgo Trophy — a two-day Snooker Legends event put together by promoter Jason Francis as a heartfelt tribute to the late John Virgo, who passed away aged 79 in February. It's a fitting stage for a fitting final. Kicking off at 7pm, the match is played over 11 frames under the quick-fire Snooker 900 format, with live coverage available on 5 Action and Pluto TV in selected regions.

The atmosphere at Goffs on Saturday was reportedly electric, and it's easy to see why. Four of the greatest players ever to pick up a cue — O'Sullivan, Higgins, Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry — competing in a packed Irish venue in tribute to a snooker legend? That's box office by any measure. The crowd got their money's worth across both semi-finals, and tonight's final should be no different.

The Analysis

Let's not dress this up as something it isn't — this is an exhibition event, not a ranking final. There are no world ranking points at stake and the result won't echo through the record books in the same way a Crucible or Masters triumph would. But anyone thinking either of these two is simply going through the motions wants their head examined. O'Sullivan and Higgins have faced each other in 18 World Snooker Tour title-deciding matches — stretching all the way back to 1995 — and the competitive fire between them has never dimmed. Add in the fact that the World Championship begins next week at the Crucible Theatre and you've got two players very much in match-sharpening mode, not holiday mode.

From a pure form perspective, O'Sullivan's semi-final performance was the more convincing of the two. Hendry, though retired and playing exhibition snooker, is no pushover — he compiled a decent break of 61 in the second frame — but that was as close to threatening as it got. Ronnie simply moved through the gears and won 6-1, which is a statement scoreline regardless of the context. Higgins, by contrast, had to dig deep. Trailing at 2-0 and again at 4-3, the Wizard of Wishaw ground out a 6-4 win over Williams in classic Higgins fashion — never panicking, always finding a way. That's admirable, but it does suggest he may not yet be at his sharpest.

The prize money, while not the primary motivation for either man, is still worth noting. The winner takes home €20,000 with the runner-up collecting €15,000 — so there's genuine financial incentive alongside the obvious pride of winning a tournament honouring one of snooker's most beloved figures. Neither O'Sullivan nor Higgins will want to lose this one.

The Odds

Odds are indicative and subject to change. Check Bet365, Betfair Exchange and William Hill for the latest markets on exhibition snooker events. The Betfair Exchange may offer slightly enhanced prices as the match approaches.

At a coin-flip price, O'Sullivan represents solid each-way value when you factor in his superior semi-final performance and his generally more dominant record when these two have met in finals on the main tour. Eighteen final meetings is an extraordinary tally, and while Higgins has certainly had his share of victories in those encounters, the balance tilts towards Ronnie in recent years.

The Verdict

Ronnie O'Sullivan to win the John Virgo Trophy is the selection. He looked in ominous form against Hendry, this event carries genuine motivation for both men, and at evens he's a fair price that could drift slightly given the exhibition nature of the contest — meaning you may find a touch of value if you get on early. A limited stake is advised given the exhibition format, but the signs all point one way tonight.

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