Masters Snooker preview: O’Sullivan fancied to extend Masters record

The Masters snooker returns to Alexandra Palace this weekend, where it’s all to play for with reigning champ Neil Robertson and record holder Ronnie O’Sullivan lining up among 16 of the top ranked snooker players on the planet.

We preview the best of the action below.

Neil Robertson to defend his crown?

Neil Robertson seems second to none when in form, and with his second Masters title under his belt following last year’s triumph, he will be full of confidence heading out this weekend.

In recent events, the Australian lost 4-6 to Mark Selby in the semi-final of the English Open last month and prior to that in the Scottish Open the world number three did beat Selby, but was bettered in a true upset by Joe O’Connor the game after.

Nonetheless Robertson is fancied as the joint favourite and can never be counted out, with his deadly potting and ability to grind out results in tight games. The Thunder from Down Under is currently joint-favourite at 4/1 to become the first back-to-back winner of the Masters since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2016/2017.

The Rocket set to extend record lead

Ronnie O’Sullivan is a household name in the world of snooker, and we are in for a treat even in the opening round where The Rocket will face off against an equally aggressive attacking player in the form of Luca Brecel.

Recently, the world number one has been slightly out of touch in ranking tournaments, going out in just the second round of the English Open and at the same stage of the Scottish Open before that.

However, last year proved that O’Sullivan still comes alive on the big stage, as he secured his seventh World Championship title – equalling Stephen Hendry’s record – with a 18-13 final win over Judd Trump at the Crucible.

After competing in 13 Masters finals, O’Sullivan holds the record for the most victories at the competition with seven and the Englishmen demands utmost respect here at 4/1 to come out on top for the eighth time and further extend his dominance.

Check out all the latest betting odds at William Hill

Judd Trump to upset the odds?

If there’s one man you feel can upset the tournament, it’s Judd Trump. It just feels as though a second win here is overdue for the Englishmen after a decent break since his dazzling 2019 Masters win over O’Sullivan in the finals.

Trump looked in fine form at the English Open prior to his defeat to Belgium’s Luca Brecel in the quarter-finals. He currently ranks fourth in the global rankings and was previously the world’s number one player on multiple occasions.

The Juddernaut is 9/2 to lift the Paul Hunter trophy for the second time.

Mark Selby in form to contest for title

Mark Selby is a 39-year-old veteran in the sport and has reached the finals here five times previously. The current world number two converted three of those finals’ appearances into wins with the most recent being in 2013, while he hasn’t reached a Masters final since 2014.

He comes here in relatively fine form, having just picked up his first win over Neil Robertson in two years to bring home the English Open last month.

In the opening round of this tournament he faces Iranian player Hossein Vafaei, who dumped Selby out in the first round of the UK Championship last year. It will be interesting to see how he gets on against a potentially tricky opponent.

The Jester from Leicester is 13/2 to claim a fourth Masters title, however his chances are reflected in his odds as the fourth favourite.

Check out all the latest snooker betting odds at William Hill