Snooker
Helsinki International Snooker Cup Preview: John Higgins vs Ali Carter Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: Saturday 17th May 2025 Start time: 5 pm local time (GMT+3) Venue: Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki, Finland Last meeting: March 4, 2025, World Grand Prix, John Higgins 4-3 Ali Carter John Higgins will go up against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals at the Helsinki International Snooker Cup. John Higgins will go up against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals at the Helsinki International Snooker Cup. Both Higgins and Carter are seasoned veterans on the snooker tour but will compete in front of the masses at the invitational event this month. The world numbers 4 and 17 will be on hand to produce some impressive snooker to the audience’s delight.
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John Higgins of Scotland//Getty Images
SportsBoom is at the forefront of covering this exciting matchup, completing a detailed preview of both players ahead of the action in Finland. We’ve researched all the details about their past head-to-head battles, as well as looking into their recent form, before sharing our value bets and final prediction.
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Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
- John Higgins: 1/4 (1.25) – 80.0%
- Ali Carter: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- Forecast odds – Betting available on 1Win closer to event
See our 1Win sportsbook review for more details on features, odds formats, and user experience.
Head-to-Head Record
Despite John Higgins displaying the best form in many a year, Ali Carter is a bogey player for the four-time world champions. Higgins lost four games in a row to Carter before a win at this year’s World Grand Prix.
Carter should never be underestimated by any means, considering his form, but it’s worth noting both players have only played once in the last three years.
Last Five Matches
| Tournament | Stage | Score line |
| 2025 World Grand Prix | Last 32 | John Higgins 4-3 Ali Carter |
| 2022 English Open | Last 16 | Ali Carter 4-2 John Higgins |
| 2022 Welsh Open | Last 32 | Ali Carter 4-2 John Higgins |
| 2022 Championship League | Group 7 | Ali Carter 3-0 John Higgins |
| 2021 Welsh Open | Last 32 | Ali Carter 4-3 John Higgins |
Player Career Timeline
John Higgins
- Current Ranking: 4
John Higgins enters this invitational in arguably the best frame of mind, having ended a four-year ranking tournament drought after his success at the World Open and the Tour Championship.
Higgins’ rise to form means he will be a dangerous threat to anyone he faces, but let’s not forget that his longevity is a key part of his game, too. The Scotsman has had a very successful season, all things considered, and this should spark him into life once more.
Last 5 Ranking Tournament Runs
- 2025 World Snooker Championship – Quarter-Final
- 2025 Tour Championship – Winner
- 2025 Players Championship – Semi-Final
- 2025 World Grand Prix – Quarter-Final
- 2025 World Open – Winner
Last 5 Ranking Tournament Wins
- 2025 Tour Championship
- 2025 World Open
- 2021 Players Championship
- 2018 World Open
- 2017 Indian Open
Ali Carter
- Current Ranking: 17
Ali Carter has had a successful 2024/25 season on the tour, winning the Championship League and reaching two further semi-finals. Despite losing in the first round of the last two tournaments, including at the World Championship, he is lingering on the outskirts of a place inside the elite 16, but he’s playing some good stuff.
Carter enters his 27th year as a professional next season, which shows his outstanding longevity in the game he loves playing most.
Last 5 Ranking Tournament Runs
- 2025 World Snooker Championship – 1st Round
- 2025 World Grand Prix – 1st Round
- 2025 World Open – Semi-Final
- 2025 Welsh Open – Semi-Final
- 2025 German Masters – 2nd Round
- 2024 Scottish Open – 3rd Round
Last 5 Ranking Tournament Wins
- 2024 Championship League
- 2023 German Masters
- 2016 World Open
- 2013 German Masters
- 2010 Shanghai Masters
Value Bets
Total Frames – Under 5.5: We kick off our value bets by predicting this encounter to be played in under 5.5 frames.
Total Frames Even/Odd – Odd: Considering we predicted the game to be wrapped up in under 5.5 frames, this means the total frames played will have to end as an odd number in total.
Either Player to Win Successive Frames – John Higgins: John Higgins is a ruthless and fierce competitor, and when at the peak of his powers will be hard to stop, leaving us to believe his current form suggests he will clinch back-to-back frames here.
Prediction: John Higgins to win 4-1
We’ve concluded that John Higgins will prevail here 4-1 against Ali Carter, but this match should be a victory nonetheless for the Scotsman. Despite winning one of the last five matches, Higgins should be the favourite.
Henry Cheal is a versatile freelance sports journalist with extensive experience in the industry. Henry has previously worked at the 2024 World Snooker Championship and earned a Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from UCFB in 2023.
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