World Grand Prix darts: Phil Taylor the favourite to win the latest Sky Sports live darts
Friday 2 October 2020 09:56, UK
After what seems like an eternity, live darts returns to Sky Sports with the unique, double-in format of the World Grand Prix in Dublin.
Phil Taylor is the defending champion and he’s looking for a dozen Dublin titles - the 11-time champion is the 2/1 favourite with Sky Bet to successfully retain his crown at the Citywest Hotel.
Live World Grand Prix Darts
It’s not the easiest of starts though for the great man, as he faces former world champion Steve Beaton on the opening night of the tournament on Monday.
With the double to start each leg, and with the first round matches being just two sets, upsets can often happen in the World Grand Prix, and with Beaton no mug the 5/1 on offer for him to topple Taylor looks a big enough price.
Saying that, 54-year-old Taylor has been right back to his best this summer, winning the World Matchplay in Blackpool then also picking up two titles in Australia, and after suffering some big shocks in the past he knows he needs to hit the ground running.
"My form is ticking over and I'm ready for it, but it's always tough in the first round because it's the best of three sets,” said Taylor. "You've got to start well because if you go a set down, you're in trouble. I'll be going up there and giving it my best shot because it's always a great event.”
Monday clashes
Two-time former winner James Wade, who is a 12/1 shot for the tournament, is also in action on opening night and should make it through against Andy Smith, as he’s 1/4 favourite to knock out The Pieman (3/1).
Brendan Dolan carries the Irish hopes with him but he faces a huge battle to get through the first round as he faces Scotsman Gary Anderson – who is among the head of the betting at 11/1 to lift the title.
Dolan did beat Anderson in Sunday’s Players Championship final at the same venue though, and is a former finalist in the World Grand Prix, so is 7/4 to beat the Flying Scotsman on Monday.
Dolan also made darting history by hitting the first nine-darter finish with a double start in this event three years ago, so he has a ton of happy memories to call on in his battle with Anderson.
Even Phil Taylor hasn’t managed a nine-darter here such is the degree of difficulty when doubling-in, but Sky Bet go 6/1 that a player can hit the ultimate perfect leg this week.
Tuesday's action
One of the ties of the round looks to be on Tuesday when reigning Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld has been drawn against last year’s beaten finalist Dave Chisnall.
Barney is also a two-time runner-up in Dublin, but despite winning the Premier League he’s dropped down to 17 in the world, meaning he picked up such a tough first round draw against the man beaten 6-0 by Taylor is last year’s final.
Barney is still the 4/5 favourite to win the match though, with Chisnall - the eighth seed for the tournament - at evens despite his impressive run in 2013.
There’s also a beauty of an all-Dutch encounter as Michael van Gerwen has to go up against Vincent van der Voort in what could be the fastest match of all time on the Dublin stage.
World champion van Gerwen was the 2012 champion here, and as such is a heavy 1/7 favourite to beat van der Voort – who was actually his best man at his wedding in August! Such is the way van der Voort plays his darts though, this one could go either way, and 9/2 will look more than generous if MVG is anything below his best in such a short format.
