Wang Yuchen vs Barry Hawkins Prediction: Hawkins' experience will boost his chances

In the ongoing UK Championship qualification, Wang Yuchen will play Barry Hawkins at Mattioli Arena in Leicester. The two players won their last qualifying game. Who makes it to the next round?

Wang Yuchen has been flying high in this UK qualification stage and will look to keep things running. In his first encounter in this qualifier, Wang Yuchen played Lewis Ullah and pulled off a 6-2 win. However, the Chinese professional player went on to defeat Mark Davis and Robbie Williams, encounters that ended 5-6 and 4-6. Heading into this game, Wang Yuchen has four wins in his last five games and will look to extend that run here. 

Barry Hawkins will come into this game as the favourite, and the experienced player will look to show character. In his first game in this qualifier, Barry Hawkins played Alfred Burden and lost 6-1. However, his recent matches saw him lose to Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump in games that ended 2-6 and 4-1 respectively. In the meantime, his encounters against John Higgins, Matthew Stevens, Joe Perry and Neil Robertson ended in victories. 

I will back Barry Hawkins to win this game with ease. The Englishman has been very convincing lately, putting on elite performances, which I believe is needed in crucial encounters like this. While Wang Yuchen has also shown what he could do in tough encounters, it is tough for me to write him off. Yet, the best player has the better chance, and I will back Barry Hawkins to win with a good margin.