Perth Masters finals: Van Gerwen and Wade in World Matchplay rematch
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After another thrilling round of fixtures at the Perth Darts Masters, Coral preview finals day which involves two semis before the winners face off later on Sunday in Australia.
Defending champion Phil Taylor takes on Gary Anderson, as recent World Matchplay winner Michael van Gerwen faces James Wade in a replay of the final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
Reigning world and Premier League champion Anderson will be hoping to make it third time lucky against Taylor, as he has lost two World Series of Darts semis against the all-time great this year already, in Dubai and Japan.
The Power (5/2 title chance) won 11-3 and 8-7 in those respective duels, and is a tempting 15/2 shout to triumph 10-7 this time.
Taylor (4/6 match favourite) was also the more convincing in his quarters clash on Saturday, as he saw off home hope Kyle Anderson, who upset Stephen Bunting in the first round, 8-3.
Scotland’s Anderson, meanwhile, had to edge out Adrian Lewis in a deciding leg in what was perhaps one of the greatest World Series battles ever after a fantastic comeback fight.
But The Flying Scotsman will be aiming to emulate his success over Taylor in recent Premier League, World Championship and World Cup of Darts singles encounters. He is 6/5 to win the match, and 7/2 to go all the way and lift the title, to be the first person other than Taylor and Van Gerwen to do so in a World Series event.
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
The other battle in the semi-finals sees a rematch between multiple major trophy champions Van Gerwen and Wade, who faced each other at this stage in Perth last year and recently clashed in the World Matchplay final.
Mighty Mike (1/4 favourite) incidentally won on both occasions and has beaten The Machine in 14 of their last 15 meetings. He triumphed 10-6 at the 2014 Perth Masters, and is 13/2 to do so again.
Van Gerwen is the even-money title favourite for a reason, after defeating Dutch compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 8-4 in a thriller which saw both players average over 102.
Wade, meanwhile, easily beat a strangely lacklustre Peter Wright in his quarters clash, so is a 3/1 shout to reach the final and 9/1 to lift the trophy.
Coral’s betting tip – Van Gerwen is looking unstoppable this tournament, following his World Matchplay success, so back him to beat Wade 10-6 @ 13/2
