Phil Taylor simply must be backed at 2/1 for World Championship glory

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is undoubtedly the greatest ever player to grace the sport of darts, and as such is usually an odds-on chance for any major tournament he enters.

Therefore, at a relatively massive 2/1 for the World Championship this year, Taylor looks almost impossible to ignore in the betting.

A 15-time previous winner, Taylor ranks this tournament as the most prestigious in the sport, and thus would preference triumph in this competition above any other.

In recent times, he has taken a backseat to former protege Adrian Lewis, who has claimed back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace, and is 12/1 for a third consecutive success.

But at such value odds, backing a return to form for ‘The Power’ on the biggest stage in darts looks too tempting an opportunity to pass up.

Since a shock second-round elimination from this tournament last year, Taylor has roared back to form, registering five competition wins from eight attempts.

And he would love nothing more than to add to that haul with the World Championship, telling BBC Sport, “It is impossible to peak all year, but I can get myself ready for certain tournaments.

“I have set my target on the World Championship, that is the one I am after.”

Michael Mansell stands in his way of advancement to the second round, and but shapes up as a straightforward-looking opponent for 1/50 shot Taylor to beat.

For better value, punters can back Taylor to overcome the tournament debutant giving up a 2.5 set head start, at 2/7.

But as aforementioned, the standout value looks to be an outright bet on Taylor to be victorious at Ally Pally, as he has been for an incredible 15 of the past 22 years.

His biggest threat would appear to be in-form Dutch starlet Michael van Gerwen, who is 4/1 to land a maiden world title after his World Grand Prix success of October.

That was the first major PDC success of van Gerwen’s infantile career at this level, and many more seem certain to follow in the future.

The added nous and vast experience of Taylor however, would seem to give him the upper hand over his prospective young opponent.

And with a price as hefty as 2/1 so rarely attributed to a Taylor tournament triumph, he must be backed to be crowned world champion once again this year.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.