The Rocket believes Mark Selby is the overwhelming favourite for the event in Sheffield.

He told the Daily Mail: “Even if he hadn’t won in China, he would have been the favourite.

“But that win has given Selby a little more confidence.”

O’Sullivan also lifted the lid on the chances of his rival John Higgins at the tournament.

He explained: “Every snooker player on the circuit knows he’s the most complete player.

“And when he’s on, he’s virtually unplayable. He’s got such a great game.

“If John Higgins finds it, every player is going to say, ‘You don’t want to play him.’”

O’Sullivan believes close friend Judd Trump will win the Snooker World Championship one day as well because of his supreme talent.

“He’s too good a talent to not win that title one day,” he explained.

“As an entertainer and as a snooker fan, I love to watch him play. It would be great to see him win.”

But O’Sullivan has written off Ding Junhui if he ends up having to face Selby.

He added: “If certain things go right for him, he can win it. I don’t think he can beat Selby at Sheffield at the moment.

“But anybody else he’s capable of beating.”

The World Snooker Championship begins on Saturday and Starsport will bring you complete coverage of the event.