Sports fans are in for a treat on Thursday and Friday, with the 2017 Shanghai Masters played out in front of the ITV cameras. Some of the game’s biggest stars have turned out at the Pullman Hotel and you can have your say on every throw right here at Coral.
An exciting format, eight Asian players go in against eight of the PDC’s leading names, including the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright. This will be the second staging of this tournament, with MVG the defending champion. Bet on this year’s outright winner, or a host of match markets, including handicap and correct score.
Has Taylor got one big year left in him?
We’ve not been without drama in the build-up, with Adrian Lewis pulling out, replaced by Welshman Gerwyn Price. What will catch the attention of punters however is the inclusion of Phil Taylor in the betting. The record-breaker is running down the clock of his career, and we won’t see an awful lot of him going forward, maybe that’s why Coral traders have been so quick to dismiss his chances, offering a big price on The Power.
What we’re betting on here is Phil’s hunger. Is he out of practice, over the hill and being forced to see out his commitments before retiring a legend? If so, our 18/1 on Taylor winning the title is perfectly understandable. If you prefer to view the 56-year-old as a fully rested, relaxed player without a care in the world, and one who can finally go and play darts for the love of the game, without the burden of expectation, then that price may just tickle your fancy. Surely, he’s worth a small interest on reputation alone at the odds? Put it this way, would you fall over in astonishment if he went and won it?
As Taylor winds down, planning to throw in the towel after the 2018 World Championship, Michael van Gerwen has surged to the top of the game in his place, and is now as regular favourite in the betting for just about evert major competition. This one is no different, and Mighty came out on top here 12 months ago, beating James Wade 8-3 in the final.
The Dutchman has already scooped the World Championship this year, as well as Premier League and The Masters titles. Surely doing the business in Shanghai is well within his capabilities. Our sports team think so, and have him marked up as an 8/11 jolly. Convincing stuff, wouldn’t you say?
Scots pair worth a look
Scottish pair Gary Anderson and Peter Wright head the chasing pack, at 10/3 and 6/1 respectively. The latter is a price worth considering. The flamboyant 47-year-old from Livingston won his fourth European Tour title recently, beating Mervyn King 6-2 in Leverkusen. We all know just what Wright is capable of, and I wouldn’t put anyone off a play when he’s in the mood.
There’s a lot to like about an Anderson upset also, but at 10/3, we’d prefer to have a shot at the bigger price of the two. The Flying Scotsman earned another Players Championship medal last month when getting the better of Ian White in Wigan. 6-1 was the score that day, a result that would’ve seriously boosted confidence.
