Premier League Darts Week 1: Taylor and Anderson in re-match

Barney (20/1 to retain the title) won 7-3 that day in their second duel of the competition, and the Dutchman is a tempting 12/1 chance for that scoreline once more. A draw, meanwhile, is priced at 7/2.

Kim Huybrechts v Michael van Gerwen
World number one Van Gerwen (2/1 title favourite) takes on Premier League debutant and tournament outsider Huybrechts. Mighty Mike may be odds-on at 4/9 for victory, but he hasn’t had it all his way against the Belgian, holding only an 8-7 head-to-head advantage.

The Hurricane even won their last meeting in the quarters of the Grand Slam of Darts and is a tempting 4/1 shout for victory again. A draw at 9/2 is probably Huybrechts’ best chance of getting points here, though.

Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
In the tastiest battle of the evening, six-time champion Taylor goes up against 2011 winner Anderson, who is our pick to lift the trophy.

The Power (11/8 for victory) enjoyed playing here in Leeds last time, thrashing Wes Newton 7-1, but has won just one of the previous six matches against The Flying Scotsman, and started the tournament very slowly last year.

World Champion Anderson, therefore, is also a tempting 11/8 chance to defeat Taylor once more, just a few weeks after edging him in the final at Ally Pally. The Scot beat The Power 7-5 in the Premier League group stage last year, on his way to reaching the semis, and is an 8/1 chance for that scoreline again.

Stephen Bunting v James Wade
These two also clashed at the PDC World Championship this winter, with debutant Bunting (11/8 for victory) beating Wade (also 11/8) 4-1.

BDO world champion in 2014 The Bullet also boasts a 3-1 record over Wade, including triumphing in all three last year, and you can back him to be King of the Oche (winning the match, most 180s and highest checkout) at 9/2.

Bunting is Coral writers’ outside pick to reach the play-offs, at 7/4, and is 14/1 to claim the title. Wade, who won this tournament in 2009 but was not included in last year’s line-up, meanwhile, is also 7/4 to finish in the top four.