The Master's snooker: Monday match previews, predictions and free tips

Monday's free snooker tips and match predictions for The Masters at Alexandra Palace in London.

Where to watch

BBC2 & Eurosport, from 1pm Monday

Mark Allen v Dave Gilbert (7pm)

Best bet

Mark Allen -2.5 frames
2pts 13-8 bet365, Sky Bet

Two years ago Mark Allen saw off two of the games greats - Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins - on his way to a first Masters crown and he can start his campaign for a second title with a win against debutant Dave Gilbert.

Allen edges the head-to-head 4-2, but it was Gilbert who came out on top 5-3 in their most recent meeting in October during the World Open in China.

Gilbert carries the unwanted tag of being regarded as one of the best players currently without a ranking title to his name, with his talent highlighted by his Crucible effort last season where he made the semi-finals.

However, this tournament is like no other in terms of pressure from the start and this being his debut is a huge factor.

With only one match played at a time in the arena, every round has the feel of a final about it - an experience that will still be alien to Gilbert despite having played around the professional circuit for 20 years.

Northern Irishman Allen has not quite been firing on all cylinders so far this season, but has still been winning matches and battled his way to six semi-finals.

As well as being a previous winner and twice a semi-finalist, Allen has enjoyed his snooker at this event. Only three-times in 11 years has he failed to make it passed the first round - with two of those defeats in final frame deciders.

Neil Robertson v Stephen Maguire (1pm)

Best bet

Neil Robertson 6-4 correct score
1pt 11-2 Betfair

With a top-heavy draw in this year's Masters, there will be plenty of punters pinning their hopes to clear second favourite Neil Robertson, who is the man to beat in the bottom half.

Robertson, Masters champion in 2012, has had a relatively quiet season with his only tournament triumph coming at the Champion of Champions in November.

Outside of that effort in Coventry, the Aussie has only been beyond the last 16 once in a six-month period of inconsistent form and disappointing results.

He still ranks at number five in the two-year rolling system due to a decent second half of last season, which was kick-started by a run to the semi-finals of the Masters.

Robertson was in a similar place 12 months ago having struggled to find his best form before a notable improvement came in front the Ally Pally crowd and the same expected this year.

Surprisingly it is Scotsman Stephen Maguire who shades the head-to-head here and he is an interesting runner this week having burst back into life in the UK Championship last month.

Maguire produced some phenomenal scoring on his way to the final, where he went toe-to-toe with Ding Junhui, losing 10-6 in a quality showdown that produced seven centuries.

Another exciting match full of high breaks is expected, but Maguire is fancied to fall short up against another heavy hitter and an opponent who once compiled over 100 century breaks in one season.

Robertson can match Maguire in every department, with his superior tactical play and infallible bottle likely to prove the difference.

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