Ali Carter vs Ronnie O'Sullivan Prediction: World number one to show class again

As Ronnie O'Sullivan competes for his eighth Masters title this Sunday, he comes into the match as the undisputed favorite against his longtime adversary, Ali Carter. These two players have previously participated in intense and unforgettable clashes at the World Championship in Sheffield. Nevertheless, this Sunday will be their inaugural encounter in the Masters final at London's Alexandra Palace.

Ronnie O'Sullivan secured a spot in the final of the esteemed tournament for the 14th time by defeating the 2015 champion Shaun Murphy with a 6-2 victory. O'Sullivan claimed three of the initial four frames against Murphy, who managed a remarkable 131 break to establish his presence in the match. Despite another century by Murphy narrowing the gap to one frame, the 48-year-old O'Sullivan then elevated his performance with impressive runs of 90, 71, and 62, ultimately securing the win. After a five-year absence from the showpiece match, O'Sullivan is now eyeing the £250,000 top prize. Notably, having been the tournament's youngest winner almost 29 years ago, O'Sullivan could potentially become its oldest, surpassing Stuart Bingham, who clinched his sole Masters title at the age of 43 in 2020.

In the other semi-final on Saturday, Ali Carter showcased his prowess by compiling three consecutive century breaks, securing a 6-3 victory over Mark Allen. Despite a slow start against Allen in a match that was momentarily halted twice due to medical emergencies in the crowd, Carter swiftly regained momentum with breaks of 71, 100, 101, and 105, establishing a commanding 4-1 lead. Carter, who also advanced to the showpiece match in his last appearance at the invitational event in 2020, is now set to face Ronnie O'Sullivan. This final encounter mirrors their clashes in the 2008 and 2012 world finals, both of which were won by O'Sullivan. However, a more recent meeting at the Crucible, won by Carter, was marked by a contentious exchange where O'Sullivan collided with his opponent's shoulder. Ranked 10th in the world, Ali Carter has yet to secure a Triple Crown event victory but expresses anticipation for the challenge that Sunday's final against Ronnie O'Sullivan will bring.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's impressive track record against Ali Carter suggests a probable comfortable victory for the seven-time champion, but the upcoming match may prove more challenging than anticipated. Ali Carter has showcased exceptional form throughout the week, recording six centuries in three matches, including three consecutive frames against Mark Allen in the semi-finals. Carter's game is evidently in excellent condition, and he won't be intimidated by facing O'Sullivan at this venue. While a Ronnie O'Sullivan victory speech is anticipated on Sunday night, Carter is likely to make him work for it. Therefore, given the expectation of a long, close, and tight contest, betting on an over might be another viable option.