Darts: PDC World Championships Final Preview – Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor

After 17 days of phenomenal darts, we are down to just two players in the 2015 PDC World Championship and it should be an absolutely thrilling final as ‘The Flying Scotsman’ meets Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in a race to seven sets.

With the sport’s biggest prize up for grabs, as well as the accompanying £250,000 winners; cheque, both players will be desperate to perform on the grandest stage of all.

Prepare yourselves for a night of fantastic drama.

Anderson Aiming For First World Title

Should Gary Anderson get his hands on the trophy, nobody could argue that he doesn’t deserve it. The 44-year-old has already eliminated both of last year’s finalists en route to booking his place in tonight’s showdown with the greatest player to ever throw three arrows and if he can turn out ‘The Power’ then he will have certainly earned his place amongst the elite list of PDC World Champions.

The Flying Scotsman has reached this stage once before, losing 7-5 to Adrian Lewis in 2011. That experience should help him as he looks to cause an upset against the favourite and he can also take confidence from his performances against Taylor in last year’s Premier League.

Anderson’s scoring ability has never been under question, but his finishing has been scrutinised on several occasions. However, he his checkout percentage has been over the 40% mark over the course of this tournament and if he keeps that up then he has a real fighting chance of lifting a first title

Can The Power Make It 15?

Has anyone ever dominated any sport for such an extended period of time as Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor? The 54-year-old has lifted a total of 16 world titles, including 14 of the PDC’s 21 tournaments, and shows no signs of slowing up as he approaches his 55^th birthday.

Once again, Taylor boasts the highest average and most 100+ scores in the tournament and has looked comfortable in every match other than a slight scare from Kim Huybrechts in round three. A semi-final demolition of Premier League champ Raymond van Barneveld demonstrated once more than ‘The Power’ is not ready to burn out just yet.

Last year’s shock second round exit to Michael Smith caused many people to question whether the 2013 champion would ever get his hands on another title. That could serve as extra motivation tonight as he looks to cement his place as the world’s greatest once more.

It should be a cracker of a final.

Gary Anderson V Phil Taylor Betting

Sunday’s final is the biggest event in the darts calendar and will be watched by millions. Naturally, there will be plenty of punters trying to win some money too.

From a sporting perspective, you cannot begrudge either man winning this final. Likewise, from a betting perspective it could be hard to separate these two worthy candidates.

If you want a safe bet for the final bet then you’d happily take Anderson on the ‘most 180s’ market. The Flying Scotsman has registered nearly double the amount that Taylor, who is particularly fond of switching to T19, and should be almost certain to lead this race tonight.

Unsurprisingly, the price is poor. However, it could be worth putting in an acca with some selections from the BDO.

Most 180s: Gary Anderson @ 1/3 with Betfair

We also like the look of Taylor to score a three-dart average of over 101.5. The 14-time PDC champion hasn’t dropped below the 100 mark in any match this tournament and we’d expect him to step it up a notch again tonight.

Whilst we don’t think Anderson will be overwhelmed by the occasion, it is a possibility. As for Taylor, playing in finals is second nature and we can rely on him to bring his ‘A’ game.

Phil Taylor to average over 101.5 @ 8/11 with William Hill

Finally as an interest bet, we’re going to back a correct score.

There is no doubt that Anderson will get his hands on the title at some stage if he continues to play like he has over the past 12 months. However, we think Taylor can down the Flying Scotsman here.

The past two finals have ended 7-4, but we think this one will be a little closer. Anderson lost 7-5 in his only previous appearance and that could be a good shout for tonight’s showdown too.

Phil Taylor to win 7-5 @ 7/1 with Paddy Power