World Grand Prix Final: Taylor almost impossible to oppose
Published:Dave Chisnall is all that stands between Phil Taylor and an eleventh World Grand Prix, and few would deny ‘The Power’ here.
Taylor goes into the match as a deserving 1/7 favourite, having won nine of his 12 career encounters with Chisnall, who has just one win since their opening two clashes.
‘Chizzy’ did beat Taylor in their only previous set-play affair, at the 2011 World Championship, but this was their inaugural clash, and given the way their subsequent encounters have gone can hardly be taken as an omen for tonight’s match.
The World Grand Prix has experimented with various formats over the years, but in the finals Taylor has competed that have required the winner to take six sets, he has never conceded more than three. Building a case for a Chisnall victory is a torturous task; his price of 9/2 looks short given that this will be his maiden Major final.
The Power dismissed fifth seed – and an admittedly off-colour – James Wade with consummate ease in the semi-final, his 5-1 triumph seeing him overwhelm the two-time champion with an ominous 96.55 three-dart average. Chisnall has only averaged over 90.0 once in his four matches, while Taylor has only once dropped below that score.
Correct score betting should garner most attention for tonight’s showpiece in Dublin, with a 6-1 Taylor victory the current market leader at 10/3. Given the pair’s scores this year – Taylor has won 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2 (all in matchplay events) – it is difficult to envisage Chisnall out-throwing Taylor for long enough to win more than a set (best of five legs); the 53-year-old has dropped just three in the competition so far.
On a positive note for seventh seed Chisnall, he should hold the edge in the 180 market. The St. Helens man registered a full 10 maximums in his 5-2 victory over Justin Pipe, while Taylor amassed just five in his corresponding triumph over Wade. The world number one’s penchant for treble 19 gives the 1/3 on Chisnall to win the 180 battle undeniable appeal – though that should be where his luck ends.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
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