ROD HARRINGTON looks ahead to the 2008 Stan James World Matchplay, which begins on Sunday at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The Sky Sports pundit is backing Phil Taylor, an eight-time World Matchplay winner, to continue his run of success after claiming the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic title recently.
"It's a strong field, possibly the strongest ever in a tournament," Harrington - who won the World Matchplay in 1998 and 1999 - told Matchroom Bets.
"Every player is a class player but I can't see anybody outside Phil Taylor (4/5 Fav, StanJamesUK.com) winning it.
"His game is so good at the moment that his worst game is better than everybody else.
"James Wade (11/2) is the closest to him, and I'd tip him to play Taylor in the final.
"I think Adrian Lewis (33/1) is due a big tournament and will have one this time. He's an exceptionally good talent and he just loses it in his brain a little bit sometimes.
"Other players to look out for are the Dutch boys Michael van Gerwen (66/1) and Vincent van der Voort (80/1). They are very fast-throwing, very entertaining players.
"Michael is a very unpredictable player; when he's on form he's electric, when he's off form he misses doubles.
"He's playing Andy Hamilton (33/1), who is one of the most consistent players in the game and is coming into form. If van Gerwen gets past Hamilton, he has got a chance.
"Van der Voort plays Alan Tabern (80/1), who is a player coming out of Las Vegas with a lot of confidence and playing extremely well."
Harrington also backed Kevin Painter (33/1) to enjoy a successful World Matchplay, despite his first round defeat to Taylor in the Desert Classic.
"Kevin had the best average of his year in the first round in Las Vegas against Phil and played extremely well," added Harrington.
"He's not phased by the big stage, he's actually one of the players who plays better on the big stage than on the floor and is one to keep an eye on.
"He's got Tony Eccles in the first round, it's going to be a tough game but I think Kevin can come through that and make the semis (13/2) ."
Click here to watch Rod Harrington's Stan James World Matchplay preview
All odds courtesy www.stanjamesuk.com and correct at 1pm on Thursday July 17