Defending champion Mark Allen insists he doesn’t feel another extra pressure as he gears up for next week’s Dafabet Masters. The 32-year-old has been dawn against Belgium’s Luca Brecel, who is currently taking part in the Championship League, in round one of the event at Alexandra Palace on January 13.

Allen, who is priced at 11.00 to triumph at the Dafabet Masters, won his first Masters title in 2018 after beating Englishman Kyren Wilson 10-7 in the final, having also seen off the likes of John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Marco Fu.

The Northern Irishman was buoyed from his Masters victory and went on to enjoy an impressive 2018 campaign. He also lifted titles at the International Championship and Scottish Open, while he was a beaten finalist in the UK Championship.

After ending 2018 with seven successive victories in Glasgow, Allen travels to London full of confidence and he has played down talk of additional pressure as he attempts to retain his crown. Allen said:

“I’ve got to deal with the tag of being defending champion and whenever I have had it before I have done reasonably well.

“I don’t see why it should be different this time just because it is the Masters. There is a lot of pressure with the Masters because it is an elite tournament, but I am looking forward to it.

“Everyone in the top 16 can play to a really high level. Ronnie O’Sullivan aside – because he is so talented – the difference is mental. They can all beat each other on any given day. Players like Mark Selby and Mark Williams do it more consistently because they are so strong mentally. The mind is so important in elite sport.”