Taylor ready to torment Europe

A rested Phil Taylor, the 11/10 bet365 favourite in the outright betting, said he was determined to defend his European Championship crown when the showpiece competition gets underway in Germany on Thursday.

The 15-time world champion has an unbeaten record in the competition after winning the first four years of the event and will begin the defence of his title against Sweden’s Magnis Caris in Muelheim. He is priced up 1/16 for the win, with Caris quoted 7/1 in the bet365 match betting.

They have only ever met twice, with Potteries legend Taylor romping to a 6-1 success in the last 32 of the UK Open in April last year.

Taylor said: “I’ve had a nice break this summer and I’m keen to get back up there on stage. I know it will be tough against Magnus because he’s been a quality player for years.”

In the other stand-out fixtures on Thursday, home hopes Andree Welge and Michael Rosenauer face Mark Webster and Ronnie Baxter respectively, while Andy Hamilton, the World Championship runner-up in January, takes on last year’s European Championship quarter-finalist Paul Nicholson.

Also, Mervyn King plays Kevin Painter and Justin Pipe faces 2011 World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan.

Anderson puts defeat down to nerves

Gary Anderson will aim to bounce back from last week’s defeat on home turf to Simon Whitlock when he faces James Wade in the Premier League Darts on Thursday (Anderson 5/6 to win match with bet365).

Anderson was unable to send the boisterous Glasgow crowd home happy, succumbing to the ‘Wizard from Oz’ after mounting a spirited challenge.

The Scotsman says that the defeat was not down to a lack of effort or ability, but admits that the pressure of the occasion had an adverse effect on his game.

“I’ve been playing 16 years and I was shaking like a leaf. I just wanted to play so well for the fans, they were incredible,” said Anderson, who sits sixth in the table.

“About two legs into the match I went to pick up my water and I almost spilt it because I was shaking so much.”

The defeat to Whitlock was Anderson’s second in as many weeks and is a major setback in his quest to defend his Premier League title (Anderson 14/1 to finish top of Darts Premier League with bet365).

“One week I’m great, the next I’m terrible. I can’t work it out, it’s the worst I’ve played in my entire career.

“It’s just so annoying that I let the fans down, I played like a muppet, and I’m very keen to put things right next week against James Wade.”

Forty-one-year-old Anderson has enjoyed a decorated career in darts since turning professional in 2000. He is perhaps best known for his victory over Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in the 2007 World Darts Trophy final.

Power plots play-offs surge

Phil Taylor (8/15 in Darts Premier League – To Win Outright with bet365) admits the Premier League is starting to come to life as the players head to Dublin for the seventh round of matches.

Undefeated Taylor is well on course to book himself a place in the semi-final at the O2 Arena in May as the competition marks its halfway stage tonight.

“We are getting down to the nitty gritty,” said the 15 time World Champion. “We are nearly at the halfway stage everybody is feeling the pressure.”

Taylor went four points clear of the rest in Glasgow last week as he recorded his fifth straight win since his opening-night draw with rival Lewis.

Taylor (2/7 in Match Betting) faces in-form James Wade (5/1, Draw 6/1) – the 2009 champion having recovering from losing his opening three games by posting an equivalent number of back-to-back victories.

“It’s coming good and I’m getting the rub of the green,” said Wade. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad game against Phil, but he does it week in, week out.”

Simon Whitlock (1/3 in Winner – 2 Way) moved into second spot with a stunning win over crowd favourite Gary Anderson in Glasgow last week.

The former world finalist could close in on a semi berth by beating Premier League newcomer Andy Hamilton (9/4), whose only win remains that opening-night shock over Wade.

Popular Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld (5/6) takes on Scotland’s Anderson (5/6), while winless Adrian Lewis (4/9) can get his campaign on track with a win over veteran Kevin Painter (13/8).

Anderson predicts ‘Power’ failure

Reigning champion Gary Anderson is relishing the chance to inflict a first defeat this season on Phil Taylor when the Premier League Darts arrives in Brighton for week five (Taylor 1/5 Anderson 10/3 – bet365 match prices).

‘The Flying Scotsman’ suffered an opening night defeat to tournament newcomer Kevin Painter in week one but has since returned to the form which saw him win the marquee competition 12 months ago, with wins against Andy Hamilton, James Wade, and most impressive of all, two-time PDC World Darts champion Adrian Lewis.

Now, the ultimate tests awaits on the south coast in the shape of the 15-time world champion and unbeaten Taylor (Taylor 8/11 Anderson 9/2 – Premier League Darts outright bet365).

“I’m pleased with how my game’s coming back but I’ll have to be at my best in Brighton,” said Anderson. “Phil’s playing some brilliant darts at the moment and setting the standard for us all.”

‘The Power’ hit the highest average in the history of the Premier League when he recorded a 117.35 total in his 8-4 win over Simon Whitlock in Exeter last week and Anderson knows he is up against it.

He added: “My aim is to hit a 120-plus average on stage, because I’ve done it in practice recently, and I might have to do that to defeat Phil. But averages won’t matter on Thursday if I can get a result.”

Taylor cranks up pressure on Whitlock

Phil Taylor believes Simon Whitlock is feeling the pressure as he prepares to take on the Australian in round four of the Premier League Darts in Exeter (Whitlock 3/1, Taylor 2/9 – match prices with bet365).

The pair meet at the Westpoint Arena on Thursday evening in a repeat of the 2010 World Championship final, which Taylor won 7-3.

Taylor goes into the game top of the table with two wins and a draw from his opening three games (10/11f with bet365 – Premier League Darts 2012 Outright).

After a dramatic opening draw with Raymond van Barneveld, Whitlock beat 2009 champion James Wade in week two but crashed to a defeat against Kevin Painter last time out to drop down to fifth place.

Taylor feels that is sign the Aussie is feeling the pressure and he hopes to take advantage of that on Thursday.

“Simon’s a top quality player but he showed last week that he was feeling a bit of pressure when he lost to Kevin Painter in Belfast,” said ‘The Power’.

“I’ve got to go out and put him under pressure from the start and make him think about the week before, which will make it hard for him.”

In the other games, Painter plays Wade, van Barneveld takes on Andy Hamilton while reigning Premier League champion Gary Anderson is up against Adrian Lewis.

Anderson prepared for long haul

Reigning champion Gary Anderson has warned he will not give up his Premier League darts crown without a fight (11/8 Anderson – not to reach the semi-finals with bet365).

‘The Flying Scotsman’ begins the defence of his title in Manchester on Thursday against debutant Kevin Painter (9/4 to finish bottom with bet365) on the first of 14 nights at venues around the UK and Ireland.

The 15-time world champion Phil Taylor is the 15/8 favourite with bet365 to win the showpiece event for a sixth time but Anderson, available to back at 9/2, says he is ready to prove his win last year was no fluke.

“Last year’s Premier League was a great memory for me,” said Anderson. “I had a fantastic first season and to win the title capped it off.”

Painter was handed a wild-card to compete in the Premier League for the first time after winning his first major title at December’s Players Championship and Anderson accepts he faces an awkward test of his credentials.

He added: “I know it’s going to be hard to defend it because this field of players is really strong, but I’m looking forward to it. Kevin’s going to be a tough player to play first on Thursday but I’ll give it my best shot.”

Hankey sets Premier League target

Two-time BDO world champion Ted Hankey has made it clear that potentially playing the Premier League was a major factor in his decision to make the switch to the PDC following the World Championships. ‘The Count’ was one of three semi-finalists at last month’s BDO World Championships to be offered the chance to join the PDC, however, he was the only one who decided to make the switch.

Hankey has admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to make, although he did make it clear he is extremely excited about being involved in the ever-growing PDC, especially as it gives him the chance of breaking into the Premier League and all the benefits that comes with competing on darts’ biggest stage. Those looking at the darts betting need to remember this.

“It’s an exciting time for me and I’m starting a new chapter in my career. I had 15 great years with the BDO and I thank them, but it’s time to move on now,” he said.
“Of course I can play in the PDC, everyone knows I can, I’ve won two world titles and they aren’t just given to you, you’ve got to earn them.”

“Everyone wants to play in the Premier League. I watch it at home and think wow look at those crowds but I’ve got to work to get there, you don’t just get handed the Premier League.”

Hankey has proven throughout the years that he has the confidence needed to challenge the world’s best, now he’ll have the chance to prove he has the talent to match his self-belief. People following Betfair online should bear this in mind.

The two-time world champion probably had to make the move at this stage in his career and the 49-year old will know he won’t have too many chances left to try and add some more titles to his collection.

Taylor ready to ‘Power’ down rivals

Phil Taylor has said the challenge from pretenders to his throne keeps him motivated and is determined to win back his PDC World Darts Championship title (Taylor 5/6 – PDC World Darts Championship outright).

The Stoke legend saw his hopes of a 16th world title shattered by Mark Webster 12 months ago as fellow Potteries thrower Adrian Lewis made his big breakthrough at Alexandra Palace.

‘Jackpot’ is among a clutch of a new breed at the oche, along with the likes of James Wade and Gary Anderson, plus emerging rivals Paul Nicholson and Wes Newton, but Taylor refuses to accept his time is at an end.

He said: “I wake up some mornings and don’t feel like practising. So I just think about the young players coming through and that soon gets me out of bed and on the board.”

Taylor returns to second-round action in north London on Tuesday when he meets 2010 Lakeside runner-up Dave Chisnall (Taylor 1/10 Chisnall 6/1 – match prices) and knows he has to stay on his toes to have any chance of progressing.

The 51-year-old told The Sentinel: “I’ve been through four or five generations of players now. They all come along saying they will win more titles than me, so I beat them.

“After that, another group comes along, so I beat them too. I just want to keep winning and nobody can beat me - only myself. If I don’t practice enough or I’m tired, there are so many good players out there who can take advantage.”

The Power switched on this year

15-time world champion Phil Taylor has warned his rivals that he has been putting in hours of practice over the Christmas period to ensure he is at his best for the conclusion of the 2012 PDC World Championship (Taylor 5/6 to win the PDC World Championship 2012).

The Power returns on Tuesday evening to take on Dave Chisnall for a place in the last 16 of darts’ premier event (Match betting with bet365 – Taylor 1/10, Chisnall 10/1).

The 51-year-old was eliminated at the quarter-final stage last year by Mark Webster following a tough year in his private life.

Taylor has admitted that he has been unable to concentrate fully on his darts recently and was not overly impressed with his first round performance over Japanese qualifier Haruki Muramatsu, despite coming through with a 3-0 scoreline.

“I wanted to average 110 in my opening match to put the heebee-geebees on the other players,” he told the Daily Star.

“So I resolved to practice three times on Christmas Day. I always watch the Queen’s speech – I wouldn’t miss it for the world – but if you want to win the World Darts Championship, you have to treat it as another working day.”

The winner of the tie between Taylor and Chisnall will face either Andy Hamilton or Vincent van der Voort.

Burnett wins five set thriller

Richie Burnett survived a five-set ding-dong to see off countryman Mark Webster 3-2 on the opening night of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Two-time semi-finalist Webster, who last year sent 15-time world champion Phil Taylor packing from the competition, had promised to “go one better” at Alexandra Palace but missed too many chances against his gutsy opponent in a see-saw all-Welsh encounter which included 20 maximums. Those following the darts odds will have been very impressed.

Webster, beaten finalist at the recent Cash Converters Players Championship, was never in front in sets and the 1995 Lakeside Champion took advantage when the sixth seed missed three darts at double five to close out the win.

After the match, a delighted Burnett said: “That was a hard draw for both of us and a tough game to play, but I’m thrilled to have won.

“My scoring was excellent throughout the game and that created chances for me.”

Burnett has enjoyed a return to form in 2011, winning the PDPA Players Championship Holland and reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Prix, and admitted he was relishing his chance to get back among the big boys. People looking for World Darts betting tips need to bear this in mind.

Asked if he could go on to claim another Major title, Burnett replied: “I think so. I have the game and still have the same ability. Also, I have the knowledge and know what not to do and what to do.”

He said: “I feel that my game is back to where it was when I was at the top of the game and if I continue to score well then I’m a match for anybody.”