Ronnie O'Sullivan has enjoyed an amazing run of success in the Premier League, but even he admits John Higgins goes into this season's play-offs as the form pick.
While the Rocket has misfired for most of the current campaign, with just two victories, the Scot sailed through his six matches without tasting defeat.
His four successes included triumphs over all three of the other semi-finalists, notably a high-quality 4-2 win against O'Sullivan in the last round of matches in Llandudno that featured three centuries overall.
"When John plays like that he is the best player in the world," admitted Ronnie on the tournament's official website.
"He doesn't play a wrong shot and his safety is very good - he's a fantastic player. "I had my work cut out and played a couple of bad shots off the break and it cost me the match.
"John is playing with a lot of confidence and feeling good about himself and he's one of those players who when he's on form, you have to be as well.
"If you get a chance you have to put him under pressure - and if you don't he will stamp on you."
Higgins, however, is 9/4 at best with Ladbrokes to lift the trophy, with O'Sullivan still preferred in the market and a top-priced 11/8 at Sky Bet for a sixth straight success.
Outsiders Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump can be backed at 5/1 and 7/1 respectively with several firms.
In the first semi-final, Higgins is a stand-out 4/6 at Boylesports to progress, while Murphy can be backed at 11/8 with Betfred to reach the decider.
O'Sullivan lost out to Trump in week eight in Exeter, but he is 4/9 at best with Sky Bet to gain revenge at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, with the youngster 9/4 at bet365 to succeed again.
Stan James are offering odds on which two players will reach the final and go 7/5 Higgins and O'Sullivan, 5/2 Murphy and the Rocket, 4/1 Higgins and Trump and 6/1 Murphy and Trump both pull off upsets.
Boylesports make O'Sullivan 6/4 to produce the highest break in the semi-final clashes, with Higgins 11/4 here, Murphy 3/1 and Trump 9/2.