JAMES WADE has been installed as 4/1 favourite to win Saturday's Stanjames.com Eddie Cox Memorial Players Championship.
The absence of Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld from the field for the first Players Championships of 2010, in Gibraltar this weekend, leaves world number three Wade as the highest ranked player competing in the events.
Wade has been made the 4/1 favourite with Stan James, who are sponsoring Saturday's tournament, to claim the £6,000 title.
Mervyn King and Adrian Lewis are both priced at 12/1, with Ronnie Baxter and Terry Jenkins rated 14/1 chances.
Paul Nicholson, who travels to Gibraltar a week after his totesport.com Players Championship victory in Purfleet, is 16/1 to claim back-to-back tournament wins.
"We are looking forward once again to hosting a wonderful weekend of darts and are delighted to have 16 of the World's top 20 players as confirmed starters for the second Eddie Cox Memorial Players Championship," said Stan James head of PR Charlie McCann.
"For James Wade, Mervyn King, Adrian Lewis, Ronnie Baxter and Terry Jenkins it will be their last competitive action before the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday night.
"Whilst the Tercentenary Hall in Gibraltar might not have quite the same atmosphere as The O2 in London, it is an event which both players and spectators alike are eagerly looking forward to."
Click here to see the full list of entries for the weekend's Players Championships in Gibraltar
StanJames.com Eddie Cox Memorial Players Championship
Outright Places (place terms: 1/2 the first 2)
4/1 James Wade
12/1 Mervyn King
12/1 Adrian Lewis
14/1 Ronnie Baxter
14/1 Terry Jenkins
16/1 Paul Nicholson
20/1 Gary Anderson
20/1 Colin Lloyd
20/1 Colin Osborne
20/1 Alan Tabern
20/1 Andy Hamilton
25/1 John Part
25/1 Mark Walsh
25/1 Mark Webster
25/1 Kevin Painter
28/1 Steve Beaton
33/1 Denis Ovens
33/1 Vincent van der Voort
33/1 Mark Dudbridge
33/1 Co Stompe
50/1 Michael van Gerwen
50/1 Kevin McDine
50/1 Wayne Mardle
50/1 Wes Newton
50/1 Wayne Jones
50/1 Robert Thornton
50/1 Jelle Klaasen
66/1 Bar
For further information or to place a bet, visit www.stanjames.com