World Matchplay 2nd round: Phil Taylor to tussle with The Hammer

While the former World Matchplay semi-finalist is firing on all cylinders and surely high on confidence following his opening game antics, facing The Power on the Blackpool Oche is another matter entirely.

Taylor, in the hunt for his 16th World Matchplay trophy, trounced John Henderson 10-2 in his first outing, and has vanquished The Hammer 36 times previously, losing just five. Having also triumphed against his fellow Stoke-born sportsman three times in this tournament before, The Power (a superb 7/4 to be King of the Oche) is heavily odds-on at 1/10 to do so again.

Unseeded Mensur Suljovic is an unknown quantity to Anderson, with the pair having never played each other before, and The Gentle is 6/1 to use that to his advantage and take the spoils, though The Flying Scotsman will be eager to improve on last year’s semi-final finish and should prove too much for his Serbia-born opponent. Back Anderson to at 8/1 to win 13-5.

Betting tip: take a punt on The Power @ 7/4 to be King of the Oche (player to win match, most 180s and highest checkout. If any of the markets are tied, bets will be settled as losers) against The Hammer