Mark Allen Backs Himself for World Title Glory After Beating Kyren Wilson at the Crucible

The Pick

Mark Allen is worth serious consideration for a deep run at the 2026 World Snooker Championship. The Antrim man is through to the quarter-finals after dispatching world number two Kyren Wilson 13-9, and at the prices currently available, he represents genuine each-way value. Check Bet365 and Betfred for outright markets — Allen's odds to lift the trophy have shortened since this win, but there's still plenty of juice in an each-way play at 14/1 or better if you can find it.

The Analysis

Let's be honest — this wasn't a flawless performance from Mark Allen, and the Pistol would be the first to tell you that. He raced into a stunning 5-0 lead in the opening session, only to be hauled back to 5-3 by the interval. Things got worse before they got better: Kyren Wilson won the first three frames of the second session to actually go 6-5 in front, the 2024 world champion announcing his comeback with a classy 112 break. For a moment, it looked like Allen's familiar Crucible demons might be stirring.

But here's what tells you something important about where Allen is right now: he didn't panic. He steadied, found his rhythm, and produced a magnificent 140 break to swing momentum decisively back in his favour. He closed out that second session 9-7 to the good, and then — just as he did against Zhang Anda in the first round — he finished with real authority. That's not a lucky scoreline. You don't beat the world number two 13-9 at the Crucible on a prayer.

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Allen was refreshingly candid about the wobble. "From 5-1, I thought Kyren played very well to go 6-5," he admitted. "I didn't feel like I made that many mistakes, so I was still pretty positive. To finish the second session 9-7 up, I felt like I halted his momentum." That kind of composure under pressure — recognising the shift without losing belief — is exactly what separates quarter-finalists from champions.

Now, Allen's Crucible record does demand a measure of caution before you pile on. At 40 years old, he is making only his sixth quarter-final appearance at the World Championship since his debut back in 2007 — a statistic that underlines just how much Sheffield has frustrated a player of his undoubted calibre. He's a former Masters champion, a former UK champion, a former world number one, and a man with 12 ranking titles to his name. Yet the Crucible has largely resisted him. His best runs have been two semi-final appearances, and on both occasions he fell short of that final. He acknowledged as much with disarming honesty: "I've got as much out of this event as I've deserved. I haven't played well enough, and there's no lucky world champions — you have to go out there and earn it."

What makes this year feel different, though, is the note of conviction he added immediately after that admission. "But I still feel like I've got the game to do it, and that's why I keep coming back." That's not hollow bravado from a veteran papering over cracks. Allen has looked increasingly assured as this match progressed, and the fact that he's now second into the last eight — joining Shaun Murphy, who demolished his own opponent 13-3 — suggests the draw could yet open up favourably.

The Odds

Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. Shop around using an odds comparison site before placing.

The outright is a speculative play — there's a reason the favourites are favourites — but the each-way angle at 14/1 (Bet365, William Hill) is compelling given he's already in the quarter-finals. Standard each-way terms at a place fraction of 1/4 the odds for the top four would return decent profit if Allen reaches the final or beyond. The semi-final market is the safer option if you want something with more immediate resolution.

The Pick: Back Allen each-way at 14/1 with Bet365, and consider a separate stake on him to reach the semis at 5/4 with Betway.

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