Bet of the day: Back Phil Taylor to edge Gary Anderson encounter

Odds-on at 8/11 to dispatch The Flying Scotsman in the first round, The Power has been playing some defiant and deadly darts of late. The all-time great has reached a final and a semi-final in his last two televised tournaments and finished as winner in three of seven previous Players Championship Finals, as well as runner-up once.

As for his record against Anderson, The Power pummels his Scottish competitor in the head-to-head standings with 32 victories and two draws to just 12 losses, making The Flying Scotsman one of his favoured opponents.

With a seven versus two success rate in premier PDC events, and having won four of his last five frays against Anderson, punters should pounce on The Power for victory again.

In addition, 20 of the past tussles between the two have ended with a two leg difference or less, illustrating how tight contests are between the prolific pair.

Anderson inconsistencies

As current holder of this competition, Anderson will be no walk-over and should find extra motivation in Minehead after an embarrassing second round exit at the hands of Terry Jenkins in the World Series of Darts Finals, on home Scottish soil no less.

There’s no deny The Flying Scotsman has been far from the form he illustrated over the festive season last year, with inconsistencies and seemingly darting doubts creeping into his game. Two consecutive second round exits in televised tournaments plus a stumble at the same stage in October’s World Grand Prix, highlight how Anderson can get off to slow starts. There’ll certainly be no time for that against The Power, so back the Englishman to edge it.

Related

See previous bets of the day in our archive, and take a closer look at the tempting tournaments coming up on our darts page.

Coral’s top tip: Back formidable Taylor at a tasty 11/2 to beat out-of-form Anderson 6-5.