SKY SPORTS expert Rod Harrington looks ahead to the start of the McCoy's Premier League Darts in his William Hill betting preview.
The eight-player tournament kicks off on Thursday night at the Manchester Arena, with the four matches on the night including Phil Taylor against Adrian Lewis.
Reigning champion Gary Anderson plays debutant Kevin Painter and 2009 winner James Wade meets another new face, Andy Hamilton, while Simon Whitlock faces Raymond van Barneveld.
William Hill are the official betting partner of the McCoy's Premier League Darts, and Rod looks through the best-value odds ahead of the event.
For the latest McCoy's Premier League Darts odds, visit www.williamhill.com.
Outright Betting:
William Hill are giving 13/8 on Phil Taylor and that's the best odds you will ever get on him.
It's a good bet - although he didn't win the World Championship and it will be interesting to see how he plays.
Adrian Lewis at 4/1 has got to be great value. He's the reigning World Champion, he's on a high and I think he's going to have a great year and will make the top four.
My outside bet and the value of the eight players has got to be Raymond van Barneveld at 20/1. He's talented, he's got a lovely throw and if he gets into a rhyrhm he is dangerous.
A nine-darter is 6/5 and I think that's a great bet. Let's not forget that Phil Taylor did two in one night in the 2010 Premier League final.
This is going to be the closest Premier League and it's the eight best darts players in the world at the moment and I think a nine-darter is on the cards.
Pre-Tournament Outright Odds
13/8 Phil Taylor
4/1 Adrian Lewis
9/2 Gary Anderson
7/1 James Wade
7/1 Simon Whitlock
20/1 Raymond van Barneveld
25/1 Kevin Painter
25/1 Andy Hamilton
Nine-Dart Finish in the 2012 Tournament
6/5 Yes
8/13 No
Match Betting
Andy Hamilton v James Wade
13/5 Andy Hamilton
9/2 Draw
8/15 James Wade
This could be a great match. Andy was the runner-up in the World Championship and is really on a high with his game and he's up against a seven-time major tournament winner in James Wade.
James is a bit erratic at the moment, you never know what's going to turn up - but if he does then his scoring power and finishing is up there with Phil Taylor at his best.
I see James Wade nicking this, but it wouldn't surprise me if Hamilton gets the draw.
Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld
8/11 Simon Whitlock
4/1 Draw
2/1 Raymond van Barneveld
Barney has the best throw in the game in my opinion and if he gets on a roll, then he could steamroller Simon Whitlock.
Whitlock's best attributes are his checkouts, he really is good, so Barney will have to make sure he gets down to the double and takes the double out cleanly because Whitlock will be the Premier League leader in ton-plus finishes.
It could be another draw but I'm going to tip Barney to nick this.
Kevin Painter v Gary Anderson
3/1 Kevin Painter
5/1 Draw
4/9 Gary Anderson
What Kevin Painter has got to do to hang on to Gary Anderson is to make sure he holds him with his scoring power.
Gary Anderson, without question, will hit the most 180s in the Premier League and if he gets into a run in the early part of this game then Kevin could have some trouble.
Gary openly admits that he misses a lot of doubles under pressure, and this is where Kevin has got to take the game to him - stay with him on the scoring and take out the checkouts of 82, 83.
If he does that in the early part of this game then he could nick this, and it would be great for him in his first match.
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
2/1 Adrian Lewis
4/1 Draw
8/11 Phil Taylor
This is a game that everybody in the world wants to watch; the current and double World Champion against the 15-time World Champion.
It's going to live up to the hype that we're all going to give it. Phil took out a 119 checkout at a crucial time when he beat Adrian in the Grand Slam last year, and this is going to be the telling factor in this game; the player who does an exceptional thing at a crucial time.
Adrian's got the scoring power, and he's got to follow that up with big checkouts.
It's the sorceror versus the apprentice and the apprentice thinks that he is the sorcerer now!
It's going to be a magnificent game, and I can't split them so I think it's going to be a draw. The one who takes out the big checkout, the 121 or the 130, will end up the winner.
For the latest McCoy's Premier League Darts odds, visit www.williamhill.com.
Click here to see a Photo Gallery from Wednesday's McCoy's Premier League Darts launch
McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week One - Manchester Arena
Thursday February 9
Andy Hamilton v James Wade
Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld
Kevin Painter v Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
Tickets: 0844 847 8000 or www.mcr-arena.com
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McCoy's Premier League Darts Partners
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