The action gets underway on our dedicated channel - Sky Sports Darts - on Thursday, December 14 at 7pm
Wednesday 11 November 2020 15:57, UK
It's almost time for tungsten giants to collide at the 2018 World Championship from the iconic Alexandra Palace. So to get into the mood we've asked Rod Harrington for his hot tips.
World No 1 Michael van Gerwen will be out to defend his title in north London, but legendary Phil Taylor seeks to win his 17th crown as he bids to bow out of the sport in a blaze of glory.
All the usual suspects are in the mix, but who does 1995 finalist Harrington think will come out on top on New Year's Day? We've grilled The Prince of Style with the all-important questions.
I think it has to be Rob Cross - it sounds silly. I don't think he'll win it, but if you're looking for a real dark horse then you have to say Cross. He's come through the PDC system over the last two years and he'll probably be in the top eight, possibly even pushing for a Premier League place. If you look at the stats he's not fluked any games. His averages are all 100-plus and he's hit plenty of 180s. His percentage on doubles is really good and he's not scared of anybody.
He's played Michael van Gerwen and beat him on a couple of occasions this year. He's getting up and playing his own game which will give him confidence. He's always there or there about - he's a very tough player to play against and will be tough to beat.
I can see him reaching the quarter-finals, but it would not surprise me if we see him in the final.
I'm going for Phil Taylor against Chris Dobey. The 27-year-old was a quarter-finalist in the 2016 Grand Slam of Darts and reached the second round on his World Championship debut last year. We know this is Taylor's last championship because we know he's still one of the best players in the world, but he's playing a young man in Dobey who has come through the system.
He put in some great performances at the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton, even beating Raymond van Barneveld. Phil doesn't take anybody lightly and likes to see the youngsters come through the game, but for me this will be something to watch.
I think there will be. Obviously, Michael van Gerwen is the red-hot favourite. I think he will take some beating. Then there's Gary Anderson. I know he's had back trouble at the Grand Slam but he'll be in the mix. He did show some really good form just before then.
I always like the way Anderson plays because he doesn't let the pressure get to him, he just throws his darts and gets on with it.
Peter Wright has had another great year winning so many tournaments - he's definitely going to be in the mix.
I think the winner will come from one of those three will win it with Rob Cross as the outsider, but let's not write off Phil Taylor.
It's got to be Michael van Gerwen for me. I know it's an easy call, but when you look at the way he's played over the last few months - I think he's won the last four TV events coming into the last four majors. His leg-on-leg pressure is incredible and he's got that air of confidence. People call it arrogance, but it's not.
Van Gerwen taking on Taylor for the last time we're going to see on Sky Sports would be the pick for everybody I think.
I remember him being 6-0 down to Darren Webster last year at the Players Championship and still beat him. He never believed that he would lose. He thinks he is invincible and that gives him great confidence. But he also has this invincibility over other players when they think, 'actually, we can't beat Michael van Gerwen'.
It's only probably for me, Gary Anderson, who that can beat Michael van Gerwen along with Phil Taylor because Taylor has the edge over Van Gerwen this year.
For the emotional side of it, Van Gerwen taking on Taylor for the last time we're going to see on Sky Sports would be the pick for everybody I think.
Rod Harrington was speaking to Sky Sports' Raz Mirza. The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace starts on Thursday, December 14 and ends New Year's Day.
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