WORLD'S TOP TWO TO CLASH AS BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS SEASON BEGINS
THE 2014 Betway Premier League Darts begins at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Thursday with a repeat of last year's final between Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor, as the ten stars prepare to compete for a record prize fund in the biggest season yet.
The tenth season of Premier League Darts has seen the addition of Leeds' new First Direct Arena to the 15 venues which hosted last season's tournament, with over 100,000 fans set to watch the event live in the next four months.
Following the announcement of new title sponsors Betway and the start of a new broadcast deal with Sky Sports HD, which was signed last year, the prize fund for this year's tournament has been increased to a record £550,000, with £150,000 to the eventual champion.
Thursday's opening league night - the first of nine in the league phase before the bottom two players are relegated - will see the ten players, including debutants Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall, competing in the opening five fixtures.
The night will be headlined by reigning Premier League Darts champion, and new World Champion, Michael van Gerwen taking on six-time winner Phil Taylor in a repeat of last year's final.
Van Gerwen took victory 10-8 against Taylor at The O2 last May, and also moved above the Stoke great to the top of the PDC Order of Merit when he succeeded his rival as World Champion on New Year's Day.
"Phil's the 16-time World Champion and it's always difficult to beat him but I'm in form and feeling confident, so it will be a cracking game," said van Gerwen, the 7/4 tournament favourite to retain his title with sponsors Betway.
"There will be a lot of pressure on me and I know what it's like to be the favourite for a tournament, but all I can do is make sure I prepare myself well and don't make any mistakes.
"Even though I'm number one, he's still the man to beat and I think he's looking for revenge against me!"
Taylor will be making his first competitive appearance since losing out to Michael Smith in the second round of the World Championship in December when he takes to the stage in Liverpool.
However, after taking a January break in Portugal and changing his darts, the 16-time World Champion admits that he is "buzzing" ahead of the new Betway Premier League Darts season.
"It's going to be a really good game on Thursday," said Taylor, the 11/5 second favourite to add a seventh Premier League Darts title to his unrivalled roll of honour.
"Michael's taken the number one spot and become World Champion so he's got a big target on his back and he's the one that everybody's going to go after.
"I've had a good few weeks and I feel better now than I have done for a long time. I'm trying to make my health better and also to improve my darts, and hopefully everything will come together, my averages will improve and my performances will be better.
"I'll be giving it the best shot that I can because the Premier League, in my opinion, is second only to the World Championship and I'll do everything I can to win back the title."
World Championship finalist Wright's rise to seventh in the PDC Order of Merit has seen him rewarded with inclusion in the Premier League, and he takes on Fleetwood's world number eight Wes Newton in their opening fixture in Liverpool.
"The World Championship was a great experience and the crowds were fantastic in getting behind me," said the colourful Scot. "The atmosphere there was fantastic and the crowds are even bigger in the Premier League, so I can't wait.
"I want to entertain the crowds and also to let my darts do the talking, but making the semi-finals is my goal.
"Wes will be a tough customer this week because the last time we played, we had a great game in the World Championship quarter-finals, and I'm sure this will be another good battle that hopefully I can win again."
2011 Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson warmed up for the new season by winning the PDC's first ranking event since the World Championship last weekend, as he defeated Justin Pipe 6-5 to win his first title for over two years.
The Scot had been relegated following nine weeks of last year's Premier League, but has revealed that his World Championship loss to van Gerwen - who came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 - has fired his ambition going into the new season.
"Ever since I lost to Michael I've been on the practice board because I don't ever want to throw a game away like that again to anyone," said Anderson.
"The darts have been going really well in practice and I've put a lot of time in, and that's paying off for me now. Winning in Germany's a great start.
"The way I played in my first game in Germany against Glenn Spearing, averaging 108, was how I've been playing in practice and I want to take that into the Premier League now.
"I've dropped out of the top 16 and I want to get back in there and keep climing back into the top eight again, but I'm also really determined to have a good Premier League season."
The players ranked third and fourth in the world will clash as Simon Whitlock, the 2012 Premier League finalist, plays 2011 runner-up Adrian Lewis.
The pair also clashed in last year's European Championship final, which Lewis won as he took the title away from the Australian, who has since risen to third in the PDC Order of Merit above his rival.
Both players had narrowly avoided relegation last season, and Whitlock is aiming to get off to winning ways as he seeks to challenge for the title in May.
"Last year was the first year of relegation so it was new to all of us, but it certainly taught me that I need to be on my game from the very first night," said Whitlock. "Starting slowly can cost you your place.
"Two years ago, when I hit a nine-darter in the Play-Offs, it was one of the best moments of my career - I will do everything I can to make sure I'm there again, and hopefully this time I'll be lifting the trophy."
The season will kick off as 2012 UK Open champion Robert Thornton, who finished fifth in his debut Premier League Darts season last year, plays newcomer Dave Chisnall, who has moved up to fifth in the world rankings after reaching October's World Grand Prix final.
"I'm really excited and I can't wait to get on stage on Thursday," said Chisnall, who was raised only ten miles from the Echo Arena in St Helens.
"It will be a new experience and I'm not looking too far ahead, and I'll be doing the best I can to get a result against Robert."
The Betway Premier League Darts is being screened live on Sky Sports HD from 7pm on Thursday night. Tickets for Thursday's opening league night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool are still available by calling 0844 8000 400 or online via www.echoarena.com.
Betway Premier League Darts
Week One
February 6, Echo Arena, Liverpool
Dave Chisnall v Robert Thornton
Peter Wright v Wes Newton
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis
Tickets: 0844 8000 400 or www.echoarena.com
Betway Odds
Title sponsors Betway are offering a comprehensive range of odds for every league night in the tournament, as well as outright betting and a range of special markets.
Pre-Tournament Outright Odds
7/4 Michael van Gerwen
11/5 Phil Taylor
11/2 Adrian Lewis
20/1 Peter Wright
25/1 Simon Whitlock
28/1 Raymond van Barneveld
33/1 Gary Anderson
33/1 Dave Chisnall
40/1 Robert Thornton
66/1 Wes Newton
Week One Match Odds
Dave Chisnall v Robert Thornton
7/5 Dave Chisnall
7/2 Draw
7/5 Robert Thornton
Peter Wright v Wes Newton
9/10 Peter Wright
4/1 Draw
2/1 Wes Newton
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
7/5 Raymond van Barneveld
7/2 Draw
7/5 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen
7/5 Phil Taylor
7/2 Draw
7/5 Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis
9/4 Simon Whitlock
4/1 Draw
4/5 Adrian Lewis
For other bets and special offers, visit www.betway.com.
Betway Premier League Darts Prize Fund
Winner £150,000
Runner-Up £75,000
Semi-Finalists £60,000
Fifth Place £50,000
Sixth Place £45,000
Seventh Place £35,000
Eighth Place £30,000
Ninth Place £25,000
Tenth Place £20,000
Total £550,000