The World Matchplay Darts competition gets underway on Saturday and bookmakers have the legendary Phil Taylor at 7/4 and favourite. While Taylor may have won nine of the past eleven World Matchplay tournaments, it’s been almost twelve months since he last won a tournament. You have to question his value at those odds given his current form.

Gary Anderson is on the second line of betting at 13/2, however, he does a tough draw to negotiate through to the final. James Wade and Adrian Lewis are quoted at 10/1 in darts betting and both look to be good value. Lewis, in particular, is one to watch in this tournament and he is being quietly tipped to take this title. He is outright favourite in alternate betting – that is, outright betting without Taylor.

Special bets are often a highlight of these types of events, and while Taylor is outright favourite to win, the bet of Taylor v The Field has the field as firm 8/13 favourites. In Name the Finalist betting, Taylor v Lewis is a dominant favourite at 6/1 with a Taylor v Wade final at 9/1.

Taylor’s form seems to have fallen away over the last twelve months.  Having said that, no one has really dominated with tournament wins being spread fairly evenly amongst the top five or six players. Anderson could make a strong showing, however, he is on the same side of the draw as Taylor so one of those two will be eliminated come the semi-final.  We certainly won’t see a Taylor v Anderson final.

Our tip – this will be a very competitive tournament. Taylor almost owns the event, but it’s time he passed the mantle on to someone else. We’re tipping Lewis, and at 10/1, he is excellent value.