Premier League Darts: MVG fancied to retain

MVG and Anderson renew rivalries on Thursday

Everything Michael Van Gerwen touches at the minute turns to gold, and he now turns his sight on the 2017 Premier League, which gets underway this Thursday evening at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

The Dutchman, who goes in as defending champion after last year’s winning effort, arrives with plenty of recent form to speak of too and was seen getting the better of Gary Anderson in the final of The Masters at the end of last week.

Mighty Mike starts his defence at the head of the betting and punters who want to keep the 27-year-old from Boxtel on side will find him as 8/15 jolly to reproduce last year’s show. His main challenge is expected to come in the form of Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson, who he plays in week one, just to make things that little bit more interesting.

Former world champion Anderson rates as a lively alternative in the betting to win the Premier League, with Coral traders handing out a tempting 9/2. That’s sure to catch the attention of backers eager to take on the short-price fav over this marathon circuit. After all, sitting on an 8/15 shot for the first few months of the year can’t be too exciting.

Taylor still has the power

As Phil Taylor gets older, critics continue to stick their nose in and say that the 56-year-old from Stoke’s best days are well and truly behind him. That may be the case, but is he finished? Did he fall from grace over night? Don’t even think it! The Power still has much to offer the game at the highest level and has been seen whipping the younger players into shape on more than one occasion.