MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been installed as the 11/8 favourite to retain his Coral UK Open title in this weekend's Televised Finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort.
The world number one claimed the title a year ago when he defeated Peter Wright in the final, and also won three of the six UK Open Qualifiers ahead of the 2016 event.
That secured van Gerwen a third round entry into this weekend's Televised Finals, alongside the other UK Open Qualifier winners, Adrian Lewis, Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson.
Friday's opening session will see the lower ranked players and Rileys Amateur Qualifiers doing battle in the first and second rounds, with the top 32 players from the UK Open Order of Merit entering in Friday evening's third round stage.
Van Gerwen is the 11/8 favourite with sponsors Coral, who make Phil Taylor an 11/2 chance to win his sixth UK Open title.
World Champion Gary Anderson is 6/1 to take his first Coral UK Open win, while Adrian Lewis is an 11/1 shot to repeat his 2014 triumph.
2015 finalist Wright is 14/1 to claim his first major ranking title, while two-time UK Open champions Raymond van Barneveld (25/1) and James Wade (28/1) also figure prominently in the betting.
With van Gerwen also having won tournaments across four successive weekends recently, Coral spokesman John Hill said: "All the support in the betting has been for Michael van Gerwen to defend his Coral UK Open title this weekend where he is a warm favourite to do so.
"Mighty Mike proved a popular winner in Minehead 12 months ago and if he continues in the same vein of form he has shown so far in 2016, he could prove a costly result for the bookmakers once again."
Coral will also offer match odds and a range of other markets for the tournament at www.coral.co.uk, and via their App.
Fans attending the Coral UK Open Televised Finals will be able to bet in-person at Coral's betting stand inside the Skyline Pavilion at the Butlins Minehead Resort this weekend, or online using the free Coral Fans Wifi across the venue.
2016 Coral UK Open
Coral Outright Winner Odds
11/8 Michael van Gerwen
11/2 Phil Taylor
6/1 Gary Anderson
11/1 Adrian Lewis
14/1 Peter Wright
18/1 Dave Chisnall
25/1 Raymond van Barneveld
28/1 James Wade
33/1 Michael Smith
40/1 Jelle Klaasen
50/1 Ian White, Kim Huybrechts
66/1 Alan Norris, Mensur Suljovic, Stephen Bunting
80/1 Bar
Odds courtesy www.coral.co.uk and correct at 3pm on Tuesday March 1.