Can Wright and Anderson topple Van Gerwen in the Grand Slam?

With the group stages almost at a close, the Grand Slam of Darts is beginning to take shape.

The big names are either through or well on their way to qualifying and the knockout round is almost upon us.

That means it’s time to take a closer look at the outright betting for the competition.

As always, tungsten master Michael van Gerwen is the favourite at 8/11.

MVG has posted two 100+ averages in his group games so far and looks to be well on his way to retaining the tournament for a third successive year.

The Dutchman is also in the more favourable half of the draw for the next round, which makes the job of Gary Anderson and Peter Wright much more difficult at 11/2 and 8/1 respectively.

Scotland’s first and second minister of the oche could come to blows in the semi-finals if they can both overcome potentially slippery second-round and quarter-final encounters.

Of the pair, Anderson makes more appeal following three straight victories in the group stages and a 111.79 average against Berry van Peer – the highest of the tournament so far.

Phil Taylor is not quite through yet but remains the 9/1 fourth-favourite to land his second major of the season.

If he’s to do the job in Wolverhampton, he’ll need to step up his form on the doubles. The Power missed a whole host of chances against Robbie Green before edging past Kong 5-4.

Of the rest of the pack, Mensur Suljovic should go well at 16/1.

‘The Gentle’ should have enough to get past Van Peer in the next round before a potential quarter-final clash with Anderson, whom he has beaten on the last three occasions the pair have met.

Suljovic has form on his side and will no doubt fancy his chances of making a third major semi-final appearance this year.

Further down the list and Daryl Gurney, Glen Durrant and Rob Cross form a trio of highly-tempting fancies at 20/1.

However, with Cross and Gurney having to negotiate the towering presence of Van Gerwen just to reach the final, it makes sense to opt with the impressive Durrant ahead of the PDC pair.

Click here for the latest Grand Slam of Darts odds.

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