2016 World Series of Darts Finals: Tournament preview

As for Phil Taylor (11/2 title chance), he may get a chance to get revenge on Suljovic (40/1), who completely upset the odds when knocking out the all-time great in the European Championship quarters.

The Power lost 10-3 that day, despite averaging over 104, but The Gentle still has to get past Robert Thornton (7/4), who he is odds-on at 4/9 to beat.

Snakebite (25/1 tournament shout), who also lost to super Suljovic in the semis last time out, is likely to go up against Daryl Gurney, who is 1/2 to knock out young Englishman Josh Payne (8/5).

Gary Anderson will be determined to put on a show in front of his home crowd, after going out to Terry Jenkins in last year’s edition in just the second round, while he was also smashed 6-0 by James Wade in the European Championship.

Luckily for The Flying Scotsman (13/2 third-favourite), though, he’s been handed perhaps the most favourable draw with one of Joe Cullen (1/2 match favourite) or Joe Murnan (8/5).

Barney and Jackpot back after Euro absence

There are a couple of crunch clashes in this year’s first round, as Jelle Klaasen (4/6) takes on Kim Huybrechts (6/5), young guns Benito van de Pas (4/5) and Michael Smith (evens) lock horns and Brendan Dolan (15/8) takes on Simon Whitlock (2/5).

Raymond van Barneveld is among the unlucky seeds to face one of the aforementioned, as he’ll take on either The Wizard or History Maker.

Barney failed to qualify for the European Championship, so it will be intriguing to see if he’s fresh or rusty after missing out on the Belgium event.

Adrian Lewis also didn’t gain enough points to take part in that tournament, and will be against one of Max Hopp (6/5) or Cristo Reyes (4/6).

Wade and Dave Chisnall are the remaining seeds, and the duo will take on Van de Pas or Smith, and Klaasen or Huybrechts respectively.

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