Phil “The Power” Taylor is totesport’s strong favourite to bag the World Matchplay Darts Championship that gets underway in Blackpool this week.
Maybe only a strategically aimed stick of Blackpool rock chucked from a well-oiled supporter could knock the greatest darts player of all time out of his stride right now.

The Stoke-on-Trent maestro has been chalked up at 8/13 with in-form defending champion James Wade second in the betting at 5/1 and Dutch-ace Raymond Van Barneveld next at 8s.

Taylor is certain to be a warm order with punters following his devastating performance in Las Vegas recently where he recorded a stunning three dart average of 104.

By the time he swept aside Wade in the final Taylor had claimed an awesome 49 of 70 legs.

With only a couple of the past 20 majors going to a player not in the top three of the betting it’s hard to make a case for any of the arrowsmiths further down the betting. In fact, let’s not even entertain the thought.

Of the second and third favourites its Wade who is preferred on account of his liking for this event and his runner-up finish in Vegas. The Hampshire youngster is clearly a progressive type and it would be no surprise to see him reach another final here given his draw in the other half to Taylor.

Dutchman “Barney” looked well below his best in exiting in the second round in Nevada to Alan Tabern and is probably best avoided for this.

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