Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins Preview & Prediction | 2026 World Snooker Championship | Semi-Final

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

A tantalising semi-final is in-store as Shaun Murphy and John Higgins lock horns for a place in the world final.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – BBC & TNT Sports / USA – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & HBO Max / USA – Cannot be streamed

Tickets: Visit here for the latest ticket information

Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins prediction

Shaun Murphy cast the Crucible Curse on Zhao Xintong in the quarter-finals as he defeated the defending champion 13-10. producing a near-flawless final session of snooker to continue his quest for that elusive second world title.

The Magician is undoubtedly playing some of the best snooker of his career and the manner in which he dispatched the world number is bound to have given him a huge surge in confidence ahead of this semi-final.

Four-time champion John Higgins delivered a trademark gritty performance to see off Neil Robertson and reach a 12th Crucible semi-final in the process.

The 50-year-old Scot continues to defy his age and has come through one of the toughest possible draws, having already eliminated Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan in this year's event.

Higgins leads the career head-to-head with Murphy 16-13, including their 2009 meeting in the Crucible final, although Murphy did defeat the Scot in the second round in 2005 on his way to his only world title.

You can never count Higgins, one of the greatest competitors in the history of the game, out of the running, but Murphy has simply played the best snooker of the tournament. The 43-year-old is back to the one-table setup for the first time since reaching the 2021 final, and we're backing him to repeat that feat this time around.

Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins tip: Shaun Murphy to win