PDC Masters: Van Gerwen out for revenge against world champion Cross
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Michael van Gerwen is the hot favourite to return to form with victory in the 2018 PDC Masters this weekend.
The Dutchman has not lost in this event since 2014 and will be eager to avenge last month’s surrender of his World Championship crown.
He should reach the semi-finals with little fuss, where a potential clash with Gary Anderson lies in wait.
You can back MVG to go all the way in the tournament at 8/11, while it’s 4/11 that the Green Machine reaches the final.
Rob Cross could be the man who stands in his way in Sunday’s final.
‘Voltage’ stunned the darting world earlier this month by claiming a maiden championship crown just 12 months after turning professional.
That victory at Alexandra Palace has propelled the former electrician up to third in the PDC Order of Merit. He has a much kinder draw here as a result.
We go 4/1 that he wins his second tournament in a row, with even-money saying that he reaches the final.
Speculative punters can also back a Cross v van Gerwen showpiece at 13/8.
Away from the top two, Scottish pair Gary Anderson and Peter Wright are available at 7/1 and 8/1 respectively.
Both players endured disappointing world championship displays and will be eager to return to form ahead of the Premier League.
Anderson was defeated in the final of last year’s event. While Wright has yet to make it past the quarter-final stage in Milton Keynes.
The recently retired Phil Taylor has frequently proved Snakebite’s downfall. With ‘The Power’ out of the way, Wright could be a tempting each-way bet for success in Buckinghamshire.
There’s then a big jump in the market down to Daryl Gurney and Raymond van Barneveld at 33/1 apiece.
Barney performed well at the worlds, while Gurney proved last year that he has what it takes to win major tournaments.
The Dutchman has the more favourable side of the draw and could be value at 9/4 to win his quarter.
Michael Smith – who averaged 103.29 in his last-32 defeat to Cross at the worlds – looks the pick of the outsiders at 40/1.
Click here for the latest PDC Masters odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
