Mark Allen enjoyed his finest run in the World Snooker Championship when he reached the semi-final 12 months ago, and opens his 2024 account against qualifier Robbie Williams on Tuesday.
Allen is one of the form players this season having captured three ranking titles, whilst Williams - who last appeared at the Crucible in 2016 - came through three arduous rounds of qualifying and will be hoping to notch his maiden victory at the iconic Crucible Theatre.
Mark Allen v Robbie Williams will be available to watch for eligible bet365 customers as part of bet365's Live Streaming service.
The BBC, BBC Red Button, Eurosport and Discovery+ will also show the first round encounter.
Mark Allen v Robbie Williams will be played at the Crucible Theatre, in Sheffield, and will start from 14:30 BST on Tuesday 23rd April 2024.
The second and final session will begin from 14:30 BST on Wednesday 24th April 2024.
It's interesting to note that all five previous meetings between the two players have been whitewashes.
Mark Allen hasn't dropped a single frame in any of his four successes, whilst Robbie Williams' solitary triumph came without him losing a frame either.
The pair last met in this season's Welsh Open where Allen romped to a resounding 4-0 success, with the match coming on the back of equally as one-sided victories at the 2016 German Masters, 2014 Snooker Shootout and 2013 European Tour 5.
Williams' success occurred during the 2020 English Open where he brushed aside the Norther Irish ace 5-0 in the round of 64.
Mark Allen | 4 |
Robbie Williams | 1 |