2016 Shanghai Darts Masters quarters: Taylor tackles Wright, MvG meets Barney

While, recent champion in Dubai and Auckland Gary Anderson wrangles with James Wade, and Adrian Lewis takes on Dave Chisnall. Though, the highlight of the round promises to be a clash between Dutch darts greats Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld. Can the world number on get back on track versus Barney?

Amazing day at the Xuhui High School with @PhilTaylor and @ChizzyChisnall. Wonderful hospitality, lovely people! pic.twitter.com/nFgDu4oY49

— ShanghaiDartsMasters (@DartsShanghai) June 24, 2016

Coral writers consider the quarters and more, with a preview of Sunday’s first fixtures and all the best bets…

What a great day at Gao-An Rd First Elementary School. @MvG180 and @JamesWade180 had as much fun as the kids! pic.twitter.com/0sNYNXjltf

— ShanghaiDartsMasters (@DartsShanghai) June 24, 2016

Gary Anderson v James Wade

The Machine (9/4) hit the headlines for his shock hammering of MvG in the New Zealand leg of this tour, but couldn’t make it count to reach the final, and should also exit here.

In the two 2015 Premier League encounters between the world champion and Wade both ended evenly though, so expect it to be close with odds of 6/1 for a 8-6 scoreline to swing in Scottish star Anderson’s way.

Great to meet some fantastic fans in Shanghai #TeamWade pic.twitter.com/hoon1yC45H

— James Wade (@JamesWade180) June 25, 2016

In superb form, having romped to successive titles in World Series events in Dubai and Auckland, Anderson has much momentum, his confidence highlighted by a 121 checkout on the bull against his Chinese opponent. So, the Scot could certainly be worth a 7/2 wager to lift the silverware yet again.

Phil Taylor v Peter Wright

Still, Shanghai should be the stage for another blowout performance from The Power (5/4 for over 3.5 180s), who is seeking to reassert himself in these World Series Events after being outdone at the last by former protege Adrian Lewis in Auckland.

Great night in Shanghai Brilliant play by the Target boys @TargetDarts @PhilTaylor @jackpot180 @ChizzyChisnall pic.twitter.com/clkKAKVMJ3

— Garry Plummer (@Garryplummer) June 22, 2016

Winning this inaugural tournament will certainly appeal and king of the sport Taylor is 4/1 to do just that. With a 16 to six head-to-head lead against Wright, Stoke’s finest should see off the Scot, who will remember being given the boot in the business end of both the Sydney and Japan Darts Masters by The Power previously.

Should Taylor (1/3 match favourite) sail through to the semis, one of Wade or Anderson will await, with vengeance on Jackpot having to be put on hold until the final should the pair of Potters both make it.

Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld

As dominant world number one, Mighty Mike is easily the odds-on 1/6 match favourite to see off recent Netherlands World Cup of Darts partner Van Barneveld in the quarters.

Though it may be tempting to instead back compatriot Barney (4/1), after the older Dutchman performed better of the two when they coupled up in Frankfurt.

Van Barneveld was also more convincing for his opener in the Yangtze River city, as things went swimmingly well in a 6-2 victory against local hope Lihao Wen. While Van Gerwen encountered much more trouble, but still triumphed 6-4, versus legendary Singapore Slinger Paul Lim.

SHANGHAI | @MvG180 showing the kids how it’s done! pic.twitter.com/inu2usZc1a

— ShanghaiDartsMasters (@DartsShanghai) June 24, 2016

Still, having already sharpened his arrows against tougher opposition, and keen to avenge his recent quarter-final capitulation to Wade on the Auckland oche, MvG is 11/10 favourite to take this first Chinese mainland title.

Barney finished with a flurry on 161 in his first match, but struggled on doubles, which sums up his present performance level. And, as with Aukland ouster Anderson, Mighty Mike (7/5 to hit a maximum in the first leg) can give his countryman the elbow by jumping on the errors that will likely creep in at crunch time.

Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall

Having failed to defend his Auckland crown, Jackpot will hope for better luck here, where he is odds-on 8/13 to win the match, and 12/1 to swoop to triumph in the tournament.

Both can can be brilliant on their day, or incredibly inconsistent. Though the balance tips toward Lewis for his greater end of tournament nous.

RESULT: @ChizzyChisnall fires in four 180s in a 6-2 victory over Scott MacKenzie! #ShanghaiDarts pic.twitter.com/Mjb2Y1KpwR

— Live Darts (@livedarts) June 25, 2016

Still, last time these two faced off, Chizzy (13/10) edged ahead in the historical standings, with 11 wins to 10 as he smashed Jackpot 10-1 as the latter struggled in the heat. So, back a close contest but Lewis to win 8-7 at 13/2.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Anderson at 7/2 to win the tournament.