Noppon Saengkham vs Joe Perry Prediction: Noppon to make the next round

Mattioli Arena in Leicester will host the British Open qualification encounter between Noppon Saengkham and Joe Perry. Joe Perry has more wins in their last meetings, but Saengkham comes in as favorites here. How will this game end?

Noppon Saengkham is coming off a win over Daniel Wells in the Wuhan Open, a game that ended 5-1. However, his prior qualification in the China Grand Prix qualifier also ended in a win against Andrew Pagett. In the meantime, Noppon Saengkham has lost just one of his last four games, coming against Jackson Page in the World Championship qualification, despite securing a win against Andy Hicks in a prior game in that tournament. 

Joe Perry lost his game against Daniel Womersley in the Wuhan Open Qualification, a game that ended 4-5. However, his prior encounters to that defeat saw Joe Perry go four matches without a defeat. In those encounters, he defeated Nutcharut Wongharuthai in the Grand Prix qualification. However, his games in the Championship League ended in draws against Gary Wilson and Michael Holt, which ended 2-2, while he defeated Huang Jiahao. 

I will stay with the bookies in this encounter. The last meetings between these players ended in four wins for Joe Perry and one for Noppon Saengkham. However, their last meeting was in 2019, and over the years, we have seen an improved level of play from Noppon Saengkham. The better player will win here, and even though it could be a competitive and tight one, I am backing the Thai to win.