Mensur Suljovic with the Champions League of Darts trophy (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Champions League of Darts: Live scores & updates as Mensur Suljovic beats Gary Anderson in the BBC final

Darts

Mon September 18, 2017 · 7y ago

Mensur Suljovic defeated Gary Anderson 11-9 to win the Champions League of Darts final! Look back at how the hold weekend drama unfolded with our expert Chris Hammer...

Champions League of Darts: Sunday night results

Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)

Mensur Suljovic 11-9 Raymond van Barnevled
Phil Taylor 6-11 Gary Anderson

Final (best of 21 legs)

Gary Anderson 9-11 Mensur Suljovic

Click here for the group standings and full tournament results

2215: Let's end this blog fittingly with a very quick word from the champion himself, who told the BBC with a big smile on his face: "I'm feeling perfect! I played well and two times I've beaten Gary Anderson! I will be smiling for three weeks!

"I never thought I could win this tournament.

"Gary is a brilliant player, a gentleman and I've got so much respect for him but I played well and I never gave up. I played well and was focused on my game but I never thought I could beat Gary twice. I couldn't dream of being in the semi-finals but I gave it my best and fought so hard. I was so happy to get to the final against the best players in the world."

And a sporting Gary Anderson said: "He's been phenomenal for the last two years and he's been the best player this weekend. He deserves it - he's been the player of the tournament and smashed the lot of us.

"It's been a great event. It's a couple of weeks since I won in Perth and I got better as the event went on. I struggled against Mensur, then played better on Saturday evening and played well today.

"I did alright in the final and I'd have loved to have made it ten-all and then see what happened in the last leg, but I had three clear darts at double ten and made a complete mess of it, so we'll never know."

Mensur Suljovic with the Champions League of Darts trophy (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

2200: The Austrian was a 40/1 outsider before a dart was thrown but he ends the weekend with a prestigious trophy in his hands, a first major televised title to his name and a cheque for £100,000 in his pocket!

Plus he's won the hearts of millions of darts fans watching around the world with all his performances this weekend and who knows what doors that can open in the future.

Surely now he's ready for the Premier League?

Mensur Suljovic celebrates winning the Champions League of Darts (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Gary Anderson 9-11 Mensur Suljovic: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Anderson: 98.03
Suljovic: 87.85

180s thrown
Anderson: 4
Suljovic: 4

Finishing percentage
Anderson: 31.03% (9/29)
Suljovic: 36.67% (11/30)

Ton + checkouts
Anderson: N/A
Suljovic: 118, 116

Gary Anderson 9-11 Mensur Suljovic: Leg-by-leg

LEG 20 - MENSUR SULJOVIC WINS 11-9

WHAT DRAMA! Suljovic's trebles dry up in this leg as Anderson races away with two 140s and another ton but the Austrian then bounces back with a 180 to put pressure on Anderson’s 121. He can only manage 41 to leave 80 but Suljovic only scores 58 from 164. Anderson hits three single 20s as he spurns the opportunity to force a decider so the Austrian comes back again but despite setting himself up for double 14, he misses! Anderson can't make the most of his reprieve, dramatically missing hree more attempts to take this final into a 21st leg!

Suljovic returns once more to nail his favourite double and claim the biggest win of his life!

What a story! From 40/1 outsider to the Champions League of Darts hero!

LEG 19
Four solid visits leave Suljovic 72 but a poor first dart means he has to go the bull route and he fails to take it, hitting 11 with his final throw to leave 39. Anderson can't make him pay so he returns to hit single 11, double 14 to move one leg away from the title! And he’s still averaging under 90!
Anderson 9-10 Suljovic

LEG 18
Anderson shows no sign of nerves as he showboats with two double 20s to take out 80! Suljovic was way back on 160 despite nailing his third 180 of the match.
Anderson 9-9 Suljovic

LEG 17
Suljovic takes his time to compose himself for tops after 12 darts of solid scoring. With pressure mounting, he goes inside on that and then double 10 before pinning double 5.
Anderson 8-9 Suljovic

LEG 16
Anderson produces an explosive 11-darter from nowhere with the help of two 180s and we're back to all square.
Anderson 8-8 Suljovic

LEG 15 - Suljovic to throw first
Suljovic spent the whole break up on stage practising in a bid to find his rhythm. He’s level despite averaging under 90 so if he does find his best again, he should win. It looks to have worked with three superb visits and misses double eight for a 12-darter. Six more missed darts gives a distant Anderson half a chance but the Scotsman can’t capitalise and eventually Suljovic hits double four.
Anderson 7-8 Suljovic

INTERVAL
Anderson is favourite at 4/7 with Sky Bet while Mensur Suljovic is 5/4. The three in-play Price Boosts are Anderson to win 11-7 at 10/1 from 8/1, Anderson to win 11-8 at 6/1 from 5/1 and Suljovic to win 11-0 at 9/2 from 7/2.

Anderson is averaging 97.57 compared to Suljovic’s 86.87, while the Scotsman is 2-1 up on 180s. The highest checkout is Suljovic's 118.

LEG 14
It's all square at the break as Anderson, under no pressure from Suljovic, pins double 10 after missing tops.
Anderson 7-7 Suljovic

LEG 13
The pair trade 180s in consecutive visits as the quality of this disappointing match lifts a little and the leg ends with Suljovic taking out 60 in two darts (20, double tops) – but only after Anderson missed a shot at the bull.
Anderson 6-7 Suljovic

LEG 12
Anderson misses tops for a 145 checkout but returns to hit double 10 at the first attempt for a 13-darter to level the match
Anderson 6-6 Suljovic

LEG 11
Suljovic continues to stay off the boil for the time being with some tame two-figure visits and Anderson picks off double 18 to break and the match is now back on throw
Anderson 5-6 Suljovic

LEG 10
Anderson stops the rot by taking out double 10 for a mediocre 17-darter, with Suljovic way back on 215.
Anderson 4-6 Suljovic

LEG NINE
This is turning into another nightmare for Anderson as Suljovic's dreams start to come true! The Flying Scotsman hits the first maximum of the match and two other scores of 100+see him reach a finish first but he misses double 12 when trying to take out 84. Suljovic responds by checking out 56 in three darts to open up a three-leg lead.
Anderson 3-6 Suljovic

LEG EIGHT - Anderson to throw first
Anderson misses two darts at tops after nailing the treble 20 and Suljovic punishes him with a superb 118 checkout - going treble 20, 18, double 20.
Anderson 3-5 Suljovic

INTERVAL
Anderson remains favourite at 4/7 with Sky Bet while Mensur Suljovic is 5/4 despite holding a narrow lead. The two in-play Price Boosts are Anderson to win 11-7 at 11/2 from 9/2 and Anderson to win 11-8 at 15/2 from 13/2.

Both players are averaging 88, and neither have hit a 180. The highest checkout is Suljovic's 116.

LEG SEVEN
Still no 180s so it looks like my bid for a sixth winning tip in a row is coming to an end with a shuddering halt! Suljovic won't care though as he pins double 10 to punish Anderson for a missed dart at tops when he tried to check out from 145.
Anderson 3-4 Suljovic

LEG SIX
Both players are averaging in the mid-80s after a sloppy start to this match but Suljovoic makes it back-to-back legs with a clinical two-dart checkout from 47.
Anderson 3-3 Suljovic

LEG FIVE
Suljovic delights his new-found following with a checkout of 116 thanks to treble 20, single 20, double 18, with Anderson back on 100.
Anderson 3-2 Suljovic

LEG FOUR
Much better from Anderson as he follows up an opening visit of 134 with 95 and 140 to leave him 132. Two treble 20s follow before two missed darts at double 12 but he eventually hits two sixes.
Anderson 3-1 Suljovic

LEG THREE
Suljovic settles his nerves as visits of 134, 140 and 171 put him on course for his first leg of the match - albeit after busting 12!
Anderson 2-1 Suljovic

LEG TWO
It's a scrappy start to this match but Anderson holds in 17 darts, with Suljovic still back on 94. He can't afford the Flying Scotsman to get well clear.
Anderson 2-0 Suljovic

LEG ONE - Suljovic to throw first
Jittery start from Suljovic, who is punished for his three missed darts at a double as Anderson pins double five following three misses of his own. If you bare in mind Anderson was 6-0 down to Suljovic yesterday, that will be a huge boost for the Scotsman.
Anderson 1-0 Suljovic

2100: The increasingly popular Mensur Suljovic makes his way to the stage, with Simply The Best ringing out. And quite frankly, he has been this weekend given he's yet to lose!

This is his second major televised final having lost the 2016 European Championship to MVG while he's bidding for his second PDC title following his success at last year's International Darts Open, which he'll be defending next weekend funnily enough.

Two-time world champion Gary Anderson now joins him on stage and he's favourite to get his revenge.

2050: Well I'm on a roll with this pre-match tips today aren't I?!

However, yesterday I badly predicted Anderson would win, hit the most 180s and have the highest checkout despite acknowledging that Suljovic's style hasn't always suited the Scotsman. And it certainly didn't yesterday as the Austrian ran out a 10-3 winner!

I won't make the same mistake but with both players flying on the 180s at the moment so I reckon the best bet for this one is going for over 9.5 maximums in the match at 11/8 with Sky Bet.

2045: Here's the updated head-head-stats for Anderson v Suljovic...

Overall
Anderson 2 wins, Suljovic 3 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)
Anderson 3-10 Suljovic - Champions League of Darts
Anderson 4-6 Suljovic – Players Championship 6
Anderson 6-4 Suljovic – Players Championship 4

2040: More importantly it's the end of Phil Taylor's title reign in the Champions League of Darts but he'll be somewhat comforted by the fact he knocked out Michael van Gerwen earlier today.

Now Gary Anderson will be hungry for revenge against the 40/1 pre-tournament outsider Mensur Suljovic, who thrashed him 10-3 in the group stages yesterday.

2035: So that's a FIFTH winning tip on the bounce in this blog thanks to Anderson winning with the most 180s! Hope you've been following them all - I have one more to go shortly.

Phil Taylor during his defeat to Gary Anderson (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Phil Taylor 6-11 Gary Anderson: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Taylor: 95.04
Anderson: 96.19

180s thrown
Taylor: 1
Anderson: 7

Finishing percentage
Taylor: 26.09% (6/23)
Anderson: 34.38% (11/32)

Ton + checkouts
Taylor: 121, 102
Anderson: N/A

Phil Taylor 6-11 Gary Anderson: Leg-by-leg

LEG 17 - ANDERSON WINS 11-6
This is ridiculous. Anderson throws a 180, 140 and a 130 to get down to 51 in nine darts but misses two more attempts to win the match. Taylor, who threw 133 to leave 32, then misses all his darts at double 16 so Anderson returns to get the job done.
Taylor 6-11 Anderson

LEG 16
Anderson sprints towards the finishing line with a sixth 180 but he misses seven match darts before watching Taylor take out 52. He was hardly under any pressure there.
Taylor 6-10 Anderson

LEG 15 - Taylor to throw first
Anderson is just one away from victory after taking a scrappy leg against Taylor's throw, with the Power failing to even have a dart at a double.
Taylor 5-10 Anderson

INTERVAL
Gary Anderson is now the 1/25 favourite with Sky Bet to win this clash while Phil Taylor is 9/1 despite threatening a comeback. The Flying Scotsman is averaging 96.81 compared to Taylor's improving 97.94 while he leads the 180 count at 5-1. Taylor has the highest checkout so far with a 121 but he has missed 13 darts at doubles.

LEG 14
Anderson repels Taylor's charge by taking out 96 in two darts - treble 20 and double 18 - and that's huge. He's just two away from a rematch with Suljovic.
Taylor 5-9 Anderson

LEG 13
Anderson goes off the boil as Taylor cruises through this leg in 16 darts, with Anderson still back on 104. What a fightback.
Taylor 5-8 Anderson

LEG 12
Another leg for Taylor and it's a much-needed break thanks to visits of 137, 100, 131 and 93 before finishing tops for a 13-darter.
Taylor 4-8 Anderson

LEG 11
When Taylor won his eighth leg against MVG, he might have been better off losing and having a match with Suljovic instead! Anderson is just too good tonight! That said the Power stops the rot here by taking out 86 with treble 18 and double 16.
Taylor 3-8 Anderson

LEG 10
The pair trade 180s mid-way through this leg and although Anderson misses twice at tops, he's able to nail double 10 for eight legs on the trot! It's a massacre!
Taylor 2-8 Anderson

LEG NINE
For the second time in the match Anderson hits the outer bull when trying to complete a stunning 170 checkout but he's able to come back and finish off 25 on double eight when Taylor misses twice at double 16.
Taylor 2-7 Anderson

LEG EIGHT - Anderson to throw first
A timely 174 brings Anderson's score down to 36 and he pins double 18 at the third attempt as his rampage continues.
Taylor 2-6 Anderson

INTERVAL
Gary Anderson is now the 1/6 favourite with Sky Bet to win this clash while Phil Taylor is 7/2. The Flying Scotsman is averaging 97.26 compared to Taylor's 92.94 while he leads the 180 count at 3-0 (which is obviously good for my pre-match tip). Taylor has the highest checkout so far with a 121 but he has missed 10 darts at doubles.

LEG SEVEN
Anderson takes a giant step towards the final as a third 180 of the match and a two-dart 68 checkout sees him open up a three-leg lead at the interval.
Taylor 2-5 Anderson

LEG SIX
The world number two compounds Taylor's misery with a 180 at the start of the next leg but the Power strings scores of 140, 139 and 100 together to get back in it. The 57-year-old blows his hard work by missing five darts at doubles and Anderson makes him pay on double 10.
Taylor 2-4 Anderson

LEG FIVE
Anderson's visits of 174, 137 and 100 gives him a chance to take out 90 but he's unable to convert. Taylor thinks his dart at tops is in but it's not and two further misses allows the Scotsman to come back and pin double four.
Taylor 2-3 Anderson

LEG FOUR
The Flying Scotsman kicks off the next let with a 180 and makes the most of it by holding his throw in 15 darts, finishing on tops at the third attempt.
Taylor 2-2 Anderson

LEG THREE
Two treble 20s from Anderson sets up a shot at the full for a 170 but he only finds the outer. However, he comes back to finish with single nine, double eight after Taylor misses his one dart at tops.
Taylor 2-1 Anderson

LEG TWO
Wow - The Power hits the bullseye for a 121 finish and more importantly an early break, with Anderson waiting on 80.
Taylor 2-0 Anderson

LEG ONE - Taylor to throw first
Taylor denies Anderson an attempt at Shanghai in the first leg as he takes out 102 for a 15-darter, finishing on double 16.
Taylor 1-0 Anderson

1946: Before we begin, here's an amusing moment from an Anderson v Taylor match down the years...

Gary Anderson Zero Score Instead 180 vs Phil Taylor | 2015 PDC World Darts Championship

1945: After that drama it's time for Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson.

Taylor only loves this stage and you don't beat MVG for the seventh time in 10 meetings if you’re not still one of - if not the best - in the world.

I’m not sure how much mentally that would have taken out of him as it was such an intense, high-quality affair but it’s not as if Gary Anderson had a walk in the park earlier!

He'll feel like he’s on a bit of a free pass having been let out of jail by Peter Wright, who missed those eight match darts, and won't be fazed facing Taylor having beaten him twice this calendar year - including a thumping 10-3 win in Dubai.

Verdict & best bet: I sided with Taylor at 6/1 at the start of the tournament but I'm partial to a small saver on Anderson to win this clash and hit the most 180s at 15/8 with Sky Bet. He hit 11 against Wright whereas the Power mustered just three against MVG.

That Suljovic checkout in the last match also secured a fourth successive winning tip in this blog - so I've more than made up for yesterday's debacle!

Overall head-to-head record

Taylor 39 wins, Anderson 16 wins, 3 draws

Last 10

Taylor 6 wins, Anderson 3 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Taylor 3-10 Anderson – Dubai Darts Masters
Taylor 7-4 Anderson – Premier League Week 12
Taylor 6-6 Anderson – Premier League Week 5
Taylor 9-11 Anderson – Masters

Here's their respective factfiles

PHIL TAYLOR

Nickname: The Power
Date of Birth: August 13 1960
Nationality: England
Seeding: 4
World Ranking (September 11): 4
Walk-on music: I've Got The Power, Snap
Career highlights: 14x PDC World Champion (1995-2002, 2004-2006, 2009, 2010, 2013), 2x BDO World Champion (1990, 1992), 16x World Matchplay champion (1995, 1997, 2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2014, 2017), 11x World Grand Prix champion (1998-2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013), 5x UK Open champion (2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013), 6x Grand Slam of Darts champion (2007-2009, 2011, 2013, 2014), 6x Premier League champion (2005-2008, 2010, 2012), 4x European Champion (2008-2011), 3x Players Championship Finals champion (2009, 2011, 2012), Masters champion (2013), Champions League of Darts champion (2016), 4x World Cup winner (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016), over 100 other PDC titles

GARY ANDERSON

Nickname: The Flying Scotsman
Date of Birth: December 22 1970
Nationality: Scottish
Seeding: 2
World Ranking (September 11): 2
Walk-on music: Jump Around, House of Pain
Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2015, 2016), 2x Premier League champion (2011, 2015), Players Championship Finals champion (2014), over 30 other PDC titles, runner-up in eight other major finals including the World Championship, UK Open & World Grand Prix

1940: Mensur Suljovic was 40/1 to win the tournament before a dart was thrown but he's into the final after four amazing performances!

And he still tells the BBC he doesn't believe he can win it!

Mensur Suljovic 11-9 Raymond van Barneveld: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Suljovic: 97.91
Barney: 95.19

180s thrown
Suljovic: 7
Barney: 2

Finishing percentage
Suljovic: 39.29% (11/28)
Barney: 45% (9/20)

Ton + checkouts
Suljovic: 160, 110
Barney: N/A

Raymond van Barneveld during his defeat to Mensur Suljovic (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Mensur Suljovic 11-9 Raymond van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

LEG 20 - Suljovic wins 11-9!
Stunning! Just stunning! Suljovic fires in his seventh 180 but watches Barney leave 32 after visits of 139, 180 and 150. But Barney doesn't get a chance at double 16 because the Austrian checks out 160!
Suljovic 11-9 Barney

LEG 19
Suljovic is the width of a wire away from a match-winning 157 checkout after treble 20, treble 19 left tops! Barney responds to take out 88 in three darts, finishing on double seven to keep the match alive.
Suljovic 10-9 Barney

LEG 18
Suljovic has two darts at double 10 after a treble 19 from 77 and pins the second attempt to move one away from a place in the final.
Suljovic 10-8 Barney

LEG 17
The Dutchman nearly raises the roof after two treble 20s in pursuit of the 170 checkout but he hits the narrowest section of one when aiming for the bull. He comes back to hit single 17, double 16 to move to within one leg.
Suljovic 9-8 Barney

LEG 16
Barney misses tops by a long way to break straight back but makes no mistake at his next visit, knowing Suljovic was waiting on 40.
Suljovic 9-7 Barney

LEG 15 - Barney to throw first
It's a killer blow for Suljovic, who takes out 110 with 20, treble 20 and double 15, which will hurt Barney following his miss at tops.
Suljovic 9-6 Barney

INTERVAL
Suljovic’s six 180s has pushed his average up to 98.03 but Barney is way down on 92.76 after one maximum. The Dutchman still has the highest checkout at 82 although that, of course, only matters to those who’ve bet on it!

LEG 14
Suljovic is backing in the groove with the 180s which takes away the advantage Barney had built up on the Austrian’s throw. He then fails to take out 68 but Barney misses two darts at double 16 to break. Suljovic returns to finish 14 and opens up a two-leg lead at the second interval.
Suljovic 8-6 Barney

LEG 13
Much better from Ray as three successive visits of 140 reduce him down to 81 although he needs five darts to finish from there, eventually pinning double 16.
Suljovic 7-6 Barney

LEG 12
Suljovic misses inside on double tops and 10s by quite some distance but his attempt at double five finds the centre of the green bit.
Suljovic 7-5 Barney

LEG 11
Visits of 100, 180 and 140 help Barney race well clear in the leg before pinning double 16 for a 14-darter which helps him halt Suljovic’s momentum.
Suljovic 6-5 Barney

LEG 10
The Austrian is now playing playing somewhere near the levels that helped him win his three group games, opening this leg with a 180 and producing a 13-darter.
Suljovic 6-4 Barney

LEG NINE
Suljovic takes the early initiative on Barney's throw with his 19th maximum of the tournament and fourth of the match before reaching a finish first. He can even afford a miss at tops and double 10 before two fives give him a break.
Suljovic 5-4 Barney

LEG EIGHT - Suljovic to throw first
Suljovic runs away with this leg although he misses three darts at his favourite double 14 before nailing two sevens.
Suljovic 4-4 Barney

INTERVAL
Suljovic is averaging 99.15 with the help of three 180s while Barney's average is 94.18 and he's yet to hit a maximum. The highest checkout so far belongs to Barney thanks to an 82.

LEG SEVEN
Barney takes out 68 in two darts to edge 4-3 ahead at the first mini interval.
Suljovic 3-4 Barney

LEG SIX
A third maximum of the match, which followed back-to-back visits of 140 paves the way for a 13-darter as he restores parity.
Suljovic 3-3 Barney

LEG FIVE
Barney opens with a 177 but Suljovic's visits of 180 and 174 reduce his score to 62 and he has the first chance to break. However his two darts at double 10 go begging and Barney, who set up 32 with a 174, ends up finishing on double eight.
Suljovic 2-3 Barney

LEG FOUR
Barney almost checks out from 112 but his dart at double 16 goes into the red bit of two eights! Suljovic returns to take out 60 in two darts, finishing on tops.
Suljovic 2-2 Barney

LEG THREE
Barney has no shortage of support in Cardiff tonight and they'll be enthused to see him notch up a 15-dart leg for a comfortable hold thanks to three visits of 100+, one of 97 and a checkout of 82.
Suljovic 1-2 Barney

LEG TWO
Suljovic finds his first 180 of the match as he gets on the board with a cool 13-darter, nailing double tops at the first attempt.
Suljovic 1-1 Barney

LEG ONE - Barney to throw first
It's first blood to Barney with the darts but both players missed darts at doubles in a scrappy opening leg.
Suljovic 0-1 Barney

1840: Both players have now made it out to the oche at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena so we're now ready to begin...

1830: Victory for Suljovic in this match will put him through to his second major televised final having done so at the European Championship last year, when he got batted by MVG.

Here's how he won his only PDC title to date on the European Tour, and it's a sickener for Kim Huybrechts...

Mensur Suljovic v Kim Huybrechts - HAPPYBET INTERNATIONAL DARTS OPEN FINAL

1820: Some may find it surprising that Suljovic is Sky Bet's 5/4 underdog given his red hot form this weekend - which is in no part down to lethal finishing - but Barney is obviously more used to the bigger occasion from a long career operating at the very highest level.

That said, he hasn't won a prestigious TV title since the 2014 Premier League so he'll be feeling the pressure of trying to end that frustrating wait for another.

There's no real expectation on Suljovic's shoulders - he's already achieved more than anyone thought he could - and he's clearly a big danger on immediate form.

Verdict & best bet: It's hard to call in terms of picking a winner so instead - and there isn't much of a head-to-head record to go off - so I'm going for what I feel should be quite a safe 11/8 bet which is the match to have over 17.5 legs, a checkout of over 120.5 and more than 7.5 180s.

Overall head-to-head record
Suljovic 2 wins, Barney 4 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings

Suljovic 6-4 Barney – Players Championship 1

1815: The first of tonight's semi-finals features the unlikely hero Mensur Suljovic, who defied his pre-tournament odds of 40/1 to see off Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall in Group B, up against crowd favourite Raymond van Barneveld.

Barney also upset the odds to be here, stunning his younger, dominant Dutch rival Michael van Gerwen yesterday before sealing his spot in the semi-finals with a resounding 10-2 victory over a below-par Adrian Lewis.

Here's their brief career bios...

MENSUR SULJOVIC

Nickname: The Gentle
Date of Birth: March 05 1972
Nationality: Austrian
Seeding: 7
World Ranking (September 11): 7
Walk-on music: Simply The Best, Tina Turner
Career highlights: European Championship runner-up (2016), winner of one non-televised PDC title

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

Nickname: Barney
Date of Birth: April 20 1967
Nationality: Dutch
Seeding: 8
World Ranking (September 11): 9
Walk-on music: Eye of The Tiger, Survivor
Career highlights: PDC World Champion (2007), 4x BDO world champion (1998, 1999, 2003, 2005), 2x UK Open champion (2006, 2007), Premier League champion (2014), Grand Slam of Darts champion (2012), 3x World Cup winner (2010, 2014, 2017), 20 other PDC titles, runner-up in eight majors including the World Championship, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix

1805: Welcome back for the climax of the Champions League of Darts.

The Sky Bet match odds are available above but here are the outright title prices for the final four along with how their odds have changed from pre-tournament and after each match...

Phil Taylor - 7/4 from 11/4 from 7/2 from 5/1
Gary Anderson - 2/1 from 6/1 from 8/1 from 9/2
Mensur Suljovic - 11/2 from 10/1 from 12/1 from 40/1
Raymond van Barneveld - 3/1 from 12/1 from 12/1 from 33/1

Below is full details of how the group stage finished, along with today's results from the afternoon session. And if you scroll further down you'll get to relive all the action from the past two days - as well as proof of my winning tips if you fancy following my bets tonight.

Mensur Suljovic celebrates at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Champions League of Darts tables & Sunday group results

Click here for day one results

GROUP A

Phil Taylor (4) P 3 W 3 L 0 LegDiff +8 Pts 6
Raymond van Barneveld (8) P 3 W 2 L 1 LegDiff +9 Pts 4
Michael van Gerwen (1) P 3 W 1 L 2 LegDiff +/-0 Pts 2
Adrian Lewis (6) P 3 W 0 L 3 LegDiff -7 Pts 0

GROUP B

Mensur Suljovic (7) P 3 W 3 L 0 LegDiff +14 Pts 6
Gary Anderson (2) P 3 W 2 L 1 LegDiff -3 Pts 4
Peter Wright (3) P 3 W 1 L 2 LegDiff +2 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall (6) P 3 W 0 L 3 LegDiff -13 Pts 0

Sunday Afternoon Session (1315-1630 BST)
Final Group Games & Sky Bet odds (Best of 19 legs)

Dave Chisnall 5-10 Mensur Suljovic (Group B)
Gary Anderson 10-9 Peter Wright (Group B)
Adrian Lewis 2-10 Raymond van Barneveld (Group A)
Phil Taylor 10-9 Michael van Gerwen (Group A)

1630: Time for a little break, but we'll be back at around 1800 BST for the evening session as Phil Taylor bids to defend his Champions League of Darts title.

1625: Oh, and that's my third successive tip to come in today! I went with Sky Bet's Price Boost (11/2) of there being over 16.5 legs, a checkout of over 129.5 and there being more than 10.5 180s. The legs came in, MVG nailed a 130 checkout and they hit 13 maximums between them. Hope you were on!

1620: You get the impression Taylor was more bothered about knocking MVG out and beating him in front of the mass terrestrial TV audience than winning the tournament tonight!

He's now beaten him seven times in their last 10 meetings, including twice at last year’s Champions League of Darts and at this summer’s World Matchplay.

The ramifications of that, though, is he faces world number two Gary Anderson in tonight's semi-finals instead of the pre-tournament 40/1 outsider Mensur Suljovic. That said, based on what we've seen, I doubt he would have relished taking on the impressive Austrian, who will now meet Raymond van Barneveld.

Michael van Gerwen crashed out in the group stages (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Phil Taylor 10-9 Michael van Gerwen: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Taylor: 102.09
MVG: 102.89

180s thrown
Taylor: 3
MVG: 10

Finishing percentage
Taylor: 50% (10/20)
MVG: 40.91% (9/22)

Ton + checkouts
Taylor: 116, 107
MVG: 130, 127, 117

Phil Taylor 10-9 Michael van Gerwen: Leg-by-leg

LEG 19 - TAYLOR WINS 10-9
Taylor beats the 'best right now' once again and maybe that tag should go back to the 'greatest ever'! The Power maintains his perfect record in this event (eight wins out of eight including last year's win) by finishing a 65 checkout on double 10. It means he tops the group ahead of Barney, and the odds-on pre-tournament favourite MVG crashes out alongside Adrian Lewis.
Taylor 10-9 MVG

LEG 18
Funny to think that if Taylor loses this match he has the so-called 'easier' semi-final against Mensur Suljovic but he doesn't care about that. He loves beating MVG but this one is going to a decider as the Dutchman holds his throw.
Taylor 9-9 MVG

LEG 17
Taylor may well have done all he needs to get through but he's in no mood to give MVG the consolation of victory. A third 180 leaves him on 40 and he nails the double tops with his first attempt.
Taylor 9-8 MVG

LEG 16
So MVG is heading home after this match but despite the gloom he's probably feeling right now, he's not given up the ghost of winning the match. He follows up a visit of 105 with a 117 checkout, finishing on double 16.
Taylor 8-8 MVG

LEG 15
A dancing Phil Taylor is through to the semi-finals after winning an eighth leg! And in quite some style (the finishing that is - not the dancing)! After MVG misses a dart at double eight, Taylor returns to superbly take out 107 with seven, treble 20, double tops.
Taylor 8-7 MVG

LEG 14
The Power is so close to breaking MVG's throw but his attempt at a 161 checkout fails when missing the double nine and the Dutchman comes back to take out 71.
Taylor 7-7 MVG

LEG 13
Taylor produces just his second 180 as he stops the developing rot with a much needed hold in 13 darts. MVG was waiting on 23 having landed his ninth maximum.
Taylor 7-6 MVG

LEG 12
MVG levels the scores with a mediocre 18-darter, with Taylor back on 115, but he can't let the Power win two more legs if he wants to go through.
Taylor 6-6 MVG

LEG 11 - Taylor to throw first
Following a timely eighth 180 form MVG, Taylor spurns a dart at double 16 to move one leg away from progression and the Dutchman returns to take out 66 for a vital break.
Taylor 6-5 MVG

INTERVAL
MVG is now 6/4 with Sky Bet to win while Taylor is 1/2. The only scorelines good enough for MVG in terms of progressing are 10-6 (20/1) and 10-7 (9/1). Click here to bet!

Both players are averaging over 105 but MVG leads the 180 count 7-1 and has the highest checkout of 130.

LEG 10
Taylor continues to defy MVG's relentless scoring by producing brilliance of his own. A 14-darter on the world number one's throw gives him a crucial break and is now just two legs away from guaranteeing his place in the semi finals.
Taylor 6-4 MVG

LEG NINE
A seventh 180 gives MVG the initiative on the Taylor throw but he misses five darts at a double as the Power steals the leg by following up a visit of 133 by nailing double eight at the first attempt.
Taylor 5-4 MVG

LEG EIGHT
As you might expect the crowd are fully behind Taylor and there's relative silence when MVG hits the bullseye for a 130 checkout!
Taylor 4-4 MVG

LEG SEVEN
It's three legs on the spin for Taylor despite only scoring 40 in one visit after a bounce out. A superb 150 sets up double 16 which he takes out at the first attempt after MVG, who has now hit six 180s and averaging over 108, missed tops.
Taylor 4-3 MVG

LEG SIX
BOOM! shouts Taylor as he takes out 81 with his second attempt at double 12 for a break after MVG had missed the bullseye for a 12-darter.
Taylor 3-3 MVG

LEG FIVE
Despite the pressure building on Power to stay close to MVG for the all-important leg difference, he holds his nerve on double 16 to close the gap back to one.
Taylor 2-3 MVG

LEG FOUR
Taylor delivers his first 180 of the match inbetween two 140s as he puts himself on course to break but he fails to finish from 41. It proves costly as MVG's fourth 180 reduces his score to 29, which he takes out in three darts.
Taylor 1-3 MVG

LEG THREE
MVG means business as he weighs in with his third 180 of the match already but Taylor hangs in there on his throw before checking out from 116 on tops.
Taylor 1-2 MVG

LEG TWO
MVG opens with a 180 and a 177 to give himself a crack at the nine-darter. He hits another treble 20 with his seventh dart but his eighth goes in treble five! Nevertheless he's still able to finish in 11 darts for a 2-0 lead.
Taylor 0-2 MVG

LEG ONE - Taylor to throw first
Taylor kicks things off with three successive 140s but misses the bullseye for a 12-darter. MVG then returns with a fine 127 checkout, finishing on the bull to break!
Taylor 0-1 MVG

1535: These two are obviously far from being pals – as this clip from the World Matchplay highlights…

Phil Taylor OUTBURST towards Michael van Gerwen and Wayne Mardle - 2017 PDC World Matchplay

1530: It’s time for the "greatest ever" against the "best right now" and unlike last year we won't be seeing a repeat in the final.

One of them is going home after this.

MVG needs to win 10-7 but if defending champion Taylor can get to eight legs, he will go through with Barney regardless of whether he wins or loses.

Nobody has as good a recent head-to-head record against MVG than Taylor, and the Power holds the psychological edge having given him an absolute hiding at the World Matchplay.

Not to mention the two victories he managed over him in last year's Champions League, including the final.

He’d love to knock the world number one out but MVG will be unbelievably hungry for revenge and desperate to remind the masses who is the boss.

After all, if he keeps losing to Taylor then the "best right now" tag will be called into question!

Verdict & suggested bet: I can’t really call a winner here so I’ll be a coward and take up Sky Bet’s Price Boost of there being over 16.5 legs, a checkout of over 129-5 and there to be more than 10.5 180s. It’s 11/2 from 9/2.

Overall head-to-head record
Taylor 33 wins, MVG 25 wins, 2 draws

Last 10
Taylor 6 wins, MVG 4 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Taylor 16-6 MVG – World Matchplay
Taylor 7-8 MVG – Shanghai Darts Masters
Taylor 7-3 MVG – Premier League Week 14
Taylor 4-7 MVG – Premier League Week 7

1525: That's also two winning tips in a row for yours truly! It was Barney to win, score over 4.5 180s and have a checkout of over 116.5 at 7/2. He hit five maximums and his highest checkout was 117!

Adrian Lewis 2-10 Raymond van Barneveld: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Lewis: 89.95
Barney: 94.4

180s thrown
Lewis: 2
Barney: 5

Finishing percentage
Lewis: 14.29% (2/14)
Barney: 33.33% (10/30)

Ton + checkouts
Lewis: N/A
Barney: 117

Adrian Lewis 2-10 Raymond van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

LEG 12 - BARNEY WINS 10-2
A fifth 180 of the match sets Barney on his way as he seals the match with a 14-darter on double four. The margin of victory means he's guaranteed to be in the semi-finals tonight!
Lewis 2-10 Barney

LEG 11 - Lewis to throw first
Lewis narrowly misses his dart at tops to take out 117 and Barney comes back to hit double 11 for a 9-2 lead.
Lewis 2-9 Barney

INTERVAL
You can back Barney to win 10-2 at 6/4 with Sky Bet while 10-3 is 9/4 and 10-4 is 5/2. Click here to place your bets!

Barney is only averaging 92.14 while he's hit four 180s and has only hit eight of his 25 shots at doubles while Lewis' comparative stats are 87.18, two and has only hit two of his 12 double attempts.

LEG 10
A clinical checkout from 76 in three darts, finishing on double 18, completes a 15-darter, with Lewis way back on 158, and he goes into the break with an 8-2 lead.
Lewis 2-8 Barney

LEG NINE
Lewis misses double 12 for a 144 but returns to pin it at the next attempt after Barney fails to reach a double from 100.
Lewis 2-7 Barney

LEG EIGHT
Barney's finishing hasn't been good at all despite his lead and misses five more darts at doubles! Once again Lewis fails to capitalise and Barney gets out of jail - or should I say madhouse on this occasion.
Lewis 1-7 Barney

LEG SEVEN
Finally a leg on the board for Jackpot! Visits of 134 and two 140s help set up a 13-darter and he badly needed that!
Lewis 1-6 Barney

LEG SIX
It's six of the best for Barney, who takes out 68 for a 15-dart hold. This is bad news for Taylor and MVG because it doesn't look like they will both go through now. It'll be one or the other unless there's a dramatic turnaround here.
Lewis 0-6 Barney

LEG FIVE
Six perfect darts from Barney - a 180 and a 149 consisting of a treble 20, bullseye and treble 13 - leaves him on 32 and a chance for a 10-dart leg. It takes him five more darts to finish, with Lewis not applying pressure.
Lewis 0-5 Barney

LEG FOUR
A 180 followed by a 140 puts Barney well clear in the leg but misses six darts at a double before pinning double two. Maybe the pressure of knowing winning big is just as crucial as winning at all could play a part in all this?
Lewis 0-4 Barney

LEG THREE
This could be over before you know it. Despite a first 180s for Lewis, he misses two darts at tops which allows Barney to break again with a 96 checkout.
Lewis 0-3 Barney

LEG TWO
The Dutch veteran nails his first maximum of the match after earlier visits of 140 and 100 before going on to complete a 13-darter on double 16.
Lewis 0-2 Barney

LEG ONE - Lewis to throw first
Barney gets up and running with a break as he checks out out from 117 for a 15-darter by finishing on double top.
Lewis 0-1 Barney

1452: Here's some Barney nine-darters to get you in the mood for what could be his last appearence of the weekend...

Raymond van Barneveld - All Five 9 - Dart Finishes

1450: As far as this next match is concerned, Adrian Lewis will have less belief than Barney, who will really want to make sure his fine victory over MVG yesterday doesn’t count for nothing.

Jackpot looked rusty in both of his defeats yesterday and I feel he'll struggle again. Plus, he's not fared to well against the Dutchman in recent times.

Verdict & suggested bet: I’m backing Barney to win, score over 4.5 180s and have a checkout of over 116.5 at 7/2 with Sky Bet.

Overall head-to-head
Lewis 23 wins, Barney 34 wins, 2 draws

Last 10
Lewis 3 wins, Barney 7 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Lewis 7-4 Barney – Premier League Week 11
Lewis 6-1 Barney – UK Open Qualifier 1
Lewis 5-7 Barney – Premier League Week 1

1446: So as mentioned earleir today, Group A is far more complicated. Here’s a reminder of how we can end up with a three-man nine-dart shoot-out to decide who goes through…

Wins by a 10-7 scoreline for Van Barneveld against Lewis and Van Gerwen against Taylor would leave the two Dutchmen and Taylor tied on four points and +4 leg difference, meaning that two players would progress from the nine-dart shoot-out.

A 10-5 win for Lewis over Van Barneveld, coupled with a 10-5 win for Taylor against Van Gerwen would see Taylor qualify automatically with his three rivals then facing a nine-dart shoot-out for the second semi-final spot.

Taylor, though, would qualify for the semi-finals if he wins eight legs against Van Gerwen.

1445: Well, the good news is that meltdown from Wright means anyone who followed by tip of Anderson to win and hit the most 180s will somehow be celebrating!

What drama. Now onto Group A's final games...

Gary Anderson 10-9 Peter Wright: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Anderson: 98.97
Wright: 100.15

180s thrown
Anderson: 11
Wright: 6

Finishing percentage
Anderson: 37.04% (10/27)
Wright: 28.13% (9/32)

Ton + checkouts
Anderson: N/A
Wright: 120

Peter Wright during his defeat to Gary Anderson (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Gary Anderson 10-9 Peter Wright: Leg-by-leg

LEG 19 - ANDERSON WINS 10-9!
How has Anderson won that!? He fails to take control on his throw with mediocre scoring and it's Wright who gets the first shot at a double - but misses his eighth match dart of the match! Anderson then returns to hit tops at the second attempt to take second place in the group and a place in the semi-finals!
Anderson 10-9 Wright

LEG 18
Wright takes 12 darts to get down to 96 but despite Anderson being way back on 263, the tension gets to him. He proceeds to miss SEVEN match darts and the Flying Scotsman bounces on double 10!
Anderson 9-9 Wright

LEG 17
Anderson stays alive by holding his throw with an 11-darter, which started with a 180 and finished with a two-dart combo from 98.
Anderson 8-9 Wright

LEG 16
Snakebite finds another gear as visits of 180, 140 and 123 leaves him 58. With Anderson applying little pressure, Wright gets away with using six more darts to finish on double five.
Anderson 7-9 Wright

LEG 15
A potentially killer break from Wright, with the help of a fourth 180, puts him ahead in the match for the first time. And what a time to do it.
Anderson 7-8 Wright

LEG 14
Anderson nails his 10th 180 of the match with his first visit of the leg and follows it up with 100 and 140 to leave 81. He then misses one dart at double 13 then goes bust at his next visit to let Wright out of jail as Snakebite holds his nerve on tops.
Anderson 7-7 Wright

LEG 13
The pair exchange 180s but Anderson takes firmer control of the leg and he only needs one dart at double 17 to take out 34.
Anderson 7-6 Wright

LEG 12
All square again as a visit of 105 sets Wright up with a chance at double eight and he only needs one dart.
Anderson 6-6 Wright

LEG 11 - Anderson to throw first
Three successive ton+ visits and one of 95 brings Anderson's score down to 91, and he takes that out with single 17, treble 14 and double 16. Wright was waiting on 62.
Anderson 6-5 Wright

INTERVAL
Anderson is now 4/6 favourite with Sky Bet while Peter Wright is 11/10 to go through. Click here to place your bets!

Anderson is averaging 100.23, a shade below Wright's 101.3, but he has hit eight 180s compared to Snakebite's two. Currently Wright has the highest checkout at 120.

LEG 10
The standard of play on show is exactly why everyone, including me, expected these two to qualify for the semi-finals. Another 180 from Anderson is followed by a 140 but a 60 leaves him 121. He sets up an attempt at the bull but just misses, giving Wright an opportunity at Shanghai which he nails to level the scores.
Anderson 5-5 Wright

LEG NINE
The 180s part of my suggested bet is looking good as Anderson nails another but the match result is very much up in the air even though the world number two holds his nerve on doubble two to edge ahead again.
Anderson 5-4 Wright

LEG EIGHT
It's all square as Wright's third 180 paves the way for a steady 15-darter, with Anderson way back on 205.
Anderson 4-4 Wright

LEG SEVEN
A sixth 180 from Anderson puts him clear but three visits from 121 out allows Wright, who returns after missing a 161 checkout attempt on the bull, to swoop in with a break.
Anderson 4-3 Wright

LEG SIX
Anderson nails two more 180s after Wright opens the leg up with his first maximum of the match but needs to rely on Snakebite missing three darts at tops before he can break with his third attempt at double eight.
Anderson 4-2 Wright

LEG FIVE
Anderson is left with 125 so goes bullseye then outer bull but his next dart at the centre goes into the outer segment. Wright puts on the pressure with a 177 but Anderson comes back to finish 25 in two darts.
Anderson 3-2 Wright

LEG FOUR
Two 140s and a ton sets up a clinical 13-darter for Wright, who only needs one dart at double 18 to level the scores.
Anderson 2-2 Wright

LEG THREE
Wright almost checks out from 116 but misses his dart at tops for the first break of the match. Anderson returns to the oche with a two-dart combo from 72 for a hold.
Anderson 2-1 Wright

LEG TWO
A third 180 from Anderson threatens the throw of Wright, who misses a dart at tops. Anderson, though, can't take out 78, also missing double top, and this time Wright gets on the board by pinning double five.
Anderson 1-1 Wright

LEG ONE - Anderson to throw first
Two 180s in his first three visits sets the Flying Scotsman on his way to a 12-darter, finishing it off with an 82 checkout.
Anderson 1-0 Wright

1355: The ‘chemistry’ between Anderson & Wright in a team environment is also more toxic than anything and crashed out of the World Cup to lowly Singapore…

Scotland v Singapore 2017 World Cup of Darts Round 1 2- 5 HD

1350: Gary Anderson and Peter Wright really don’t like each other - that’s well documented.

I even remember interviewing Anderson ahead of the World Championship and when I asked him about Snakebite, let’s just say he didn’t give a glowing reference.

The Flying Scotsman has a superior head-to-head record and always seems more fired up to win these matches whereas Wright seems to try too hard to keep his cool.

Verdict & suggested bet: I have to go for Anderson to win and with it a place in the semi-finals. Throw in the most 180s and you'll get 7/4 with Sky Bet.

Overall head-to-head
Anderson 22 wins, Wright 12 wins, 1 draw

Last 10
Anderson 7 wins, Wright 2 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Anderson 11-8 Wright – Dubai Darts Masters
Anderson 6-3 Wright – Players Championship 10
Anderson 7-2 Wright – Premier League Week 11
Anderson 6-1 Wright – Players Championship 2
Anderson 5-7 Wright – Premier League Week 3

LEG 15 - Suljovic wins 10-5
Stunning Suljovic. That’s three wins out of three for the 40/1 tournament outsider. Well, he’s certainly not 40/1 now and now whoever he faces will be even more wary of his talents. Few gave him a chance of progressing in a group of this standard but he's gone through with a legs difference of +14!
Chisnall 5-10 Suljovic

LEG 14
Chizzy has woken up as far as the maximums are concerns as he fires in another but a superb 125 checkout from Suljovic, which he takes out by hitting outer bull, treble 20 and double top, gives him back-to-back 12-darters.
Chisnall 5-9 Suljovic

LEG 13
Chisnall nails two 180s in the leg but it counts for nothing and doesn’t even get to throw at a double as the ruthless finishing of Suljovic edges him closer to victory.
Chisnall 5-8 Suljovic

LEG 12
Chizzy sets up double 18 with a 177 and takes it out on his second attempt at his next visit.
Chisnall 5-7 Suljovic

LEG 11 – Suljovic to throw first

Suljovic misses double 16 for a 110 checkout but Chizzy can’t capitalise on 128. The Austrian returns and although he goes outside on his next two throws, he pins the green bit with his third.

Chisnall 4-7 Suljovic

INTERVAL
Suljovic is charging towards top spot in the group and can be backed at 1/6 with Sky Bet for victory while Chizzy is 7/2 as he plays only for pride. Click here to place your bets!

LEG 10
Suljovic hits his second 180 of the match but a rare miss at a double allows Chizzy to pounce with the final leg before the break.
Chisnall 4-6 Suljovic

LEG NINE
Suljovic is 75% on his doubles after a successful attempt at double 10 following a treble 18 from 74. He's in such fluent rhythm at the moment regardless of his speed.
Chisnall 3-6 Suljovic

LEG EIGHT
A much-needed hold for Chizzy to stop the rot as he takes out double 16 but only a rare miss from Suljovic - albeit on the bull.
Chisnall 3-5 Suljovic

LEG SEVEN
There would have been plenty of punters wading into 10/11 for Suljovic based on yesterday's evidence and they'll be happy now as the Austrian extends his advantage with another double at the first attempt.
Chisnall 2-5 Suljovic

LEG SIX
Suljovic's finishing this weekend has been poles apart from Chizzy's and he nails his first attempt in this leg to regain the break advantage. He's only missed one double out of five.
Chisnall 2-4 Suljovic

LEG FIVE
Chizzy opens up his 180 account for the match and backs it up by pinning tops to break straight back.
Chisnall 2-3 Suljovic

LEG FOUR
Suljovic makes Chizzy pay for his four missed darts at doubles as he swoops in for the first break of the match. I wonder how many people backed him to top the group because it's looking even more likely now?
Chisnall 1-3 Suljovic

LEG THREE
The Austrian keeps his nose in front, with the help of a maximum, but you can hear a pin drop at the Motorpoint Arena right now! Chizzy needs to wake them up with some trademark 180s of his own!
Chisnall 1-2 Suljovic

LEG TWO
Chizzy wants to make amends from yesterday's poor show and it's a comfortable opening hold with a 15-darter, completing an 80 checkout on double top.
Chisnall 1-1 Suljovic

LEG ONE - Suljovic to throw first
It looks like Suljovic is carrying on where he left off, taking out 87 on the bull to take the early advantage.
Chisnall 0-1 Suljovic

1305: First up it's the already-qualified Mensur Suljovic up against Dave Chisnall, who heads home adter this match.

Can we expect The Gentle to play quite so well in what really is a dead rubber? Even if he loses, it’s pretty unlikely he’ll give away top spot but what does it matter anyway?! He has no idea who will finish runner-up in Group A and it could well be MVG.

Chizzy is already eliminated but although there’s pride to play for, it��s hard to produce your best when you don’t need to, regardless of a lack of pressure.

Verdict and suggested bet: I’m going to swerve picking a winner and instead back there to be more than 10.5 180s in the match at even-money with Sky Bet. Suljovic managed 10 on his own against Peter Wright and even if he achieves half that, you’d expect 180 machine Chizzy to weigh in with the rest.

1300: Here's the head-to-head records for this afternoon's final group games which might be of some use if you're having a bet.

Chizzy v Suljovic

Overall
Chisnall 4 wins, Suljovic 2 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings

Chisnall 3-6 Suljovic – European Darts Matchplay

Anderson v Wright

Overall
Anderson 22 wins, Wright 12 wins, 1 draw

Last 10
Anderson 7 wins, Wright 2 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Lewis v Barney

Overall
Lewis 23 wins, Barney 34 wins, 2 draws

Last 10
Lewis 3 wins, Barney 7 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Lewis 7-4 Barney – Premier League Week 11
Lewis 6-1 Barney – UK Open Qualifier 1
Lewis 5-7 Barney – Premier League Week 1

Taylor v MVG

Overall
Taylor 33 wins, MVG 25 wins, 2 draws

Last 10
Taylor 6 wins, MVG 4 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Taylor 16-6 MVG �� World Matchplay
Taylor 7-8 MVG – Shanghai Darts Masters
Taylor 7-3 MVG – Premier League Week 14
Taylor 4-7 MVG – Premier League Week 7

1240: That said I wonder how many BDO stars have lost to a nine-year-old...

CRAZY 9 YEAR OLD BEATS WORLD NUMBER 1 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN (AMAZING)

1235: Of course this event represents the PDC's annual outing on the BBC.

It goes without saying the quality is somewhat better than this...(sorry to those who saw this 'joke' yesterday!)

Lakeside nervous darts player Anthony Fleet vs Martin Adams

1225: Here's the updated title odds from Sky Bet compared to their pre-tournament prices (far right) and what they were after their first matches session...

Michael van Gerwen - 1/1 from 5/4 from 4/5
Phil Taylor - 11/4 from 7/2 from 5/1
Gary Anderson - 6/1 from 8/1 from 9/2
Peter Wright - 8/1 from 4/1 from 6/1
Mensur Suljovic - 10/1 from 12/1 from 40/1
Raymond van Barneveld - 12/1 from 12/1 from 33/1
Adrian Lewis - 100/1 from 50/1 from 25/1
Dave Chisnall - N/A from 50/1 from 33/1

1200: Good afternoon and welcome to our blog of the second and final day of the Champions League of Darts.

There was certainly no shortage of drama and shocks yesterday, with Group B outsider Mensur Suljovic showing just why many are tipping him for great things despite being a late bloomer in his 40s! The Austrian thrashed Gary Anderson 10-3 and backed it up with a superb 10-8 win over Peter Wright, throwing 10 180s and averaging over 102 in the process. He's now guaranteed to be in the semi-finals and today Scottish rivals Anderson and Wright will battle it out to join him. That'll be intense! Dave Chisnall is out and playing for pride against Suljovic.

In Group A dending champion Phil Taylor is almost through after wins over Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld but a heavy defeat against Michael van Gerwen later today could still see him bow out. MVG, who was stunned by Barney before beating Jackpot, really needs to win but he could feasibly escape with a second defeat of the weekend if Barney loses to Lewis by a bigger scoreline.

There's also the possibility of a three-man nine-leg shootout in Group A which would be excited. It's a bit convoluted so bare with me...

Taylor, though, would qualify for the semi-finals if he wins eight legs against Van Gerwen.

You can look back on how day one unfolded with the full day one blog below, packed with leg-by-leg updates and statistics.

Saturday's Champions League of Darts results & blog

Afternoon Session

Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall (Group B)
Gary Anderson 3-10 Mensur Suljovic (Group B)
Phil Taylor 10-7 Adrian Lewis (Group A)
Michael van Gerwen 5-10 Raymond van Barneveld (Group A)

Evening Session

Gary Anderson 10-7 Dave Chisnall (Group B)
Peter Wright 8-10 Mensur Suljovic (Group B)
Phil Taylor 10-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Lewis 4-10 Michael van Gerwen (Group A)

2210: This brings today's coverage to a close but join us tomorrow for the final round of group games in the afternoon before the climax of two semi-finals and the final in the evening.

2205: Right, let's take a look at how both groups look at the end of day one. As you can see MVG will need to beat his great rival Phil Taylor to ensure his place in the semi-finals although he could go through if he loses - providing Barney is beaten by a bigger scoreline. The Power isn't through yet while there is still a chance of a three-player nine-dart shoot-out - but click here for all you need to know on that!

In terms of Group B, it all boils down to that shoot-out between Scottish rivals Gary Anderson and Peter Wright while we'll see if the star of day one - Mensur Suljovic - can maintain his momentum and make it three wins out of three.

GROUP A

Phil Taylor (4) P 2 W 2 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 4
Raymond van Barneveld (8) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff +1 Pts 2
Michael van Gerwen (1) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff +1 Pts 2
Adrian Lewis (6) P 2 W 0 L 2 LegDiff -9 Pts 0

GROUP B

Mensur Suljovic (7) P 2 W 2 L 0 LegDiff +9 Pts 4
Peter Wright (3) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff +3 Pts 2
Gary Anderson (2) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff -4 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall (6) P 2 W 0 L 2 LegDiff -8 Pts 0

Adrian Lewis 4-10 Michael van Gerwen: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Lewis: 85.13
MVG: 97.18

180s thrown
Lewis: 2
MVG: 2

Finishing percentage
Lewis: 57.14% (4/7)
MVG: 47.62% (10/21)

Ton + checkouts
Lewis: 170
MVG: 114

MVG celebrates at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Adrian Lewis 4-10 Michael van Gerwen: Leg-by-leg

LEG 14 - MVG wins 10-4
A perfect set up score of 174 leaves MVG on 16 and he takes out double eight at the second attempt for a 14-darter, with Lewis way back on 235. It wasn't his finest performance but all he'll care about is getting a first win on the board.
Lewis 4-10 MVG

LEG 13
The wheels have really come off in terms of quality as MVG breaks the Lewis throw in 21 darts - thanks largely to five missed attempts at doubles. He's now averaging closer to 95 than 100.
Lewis 4-9 MVG

LEG 12
A comparatively sluggish leg from MVG on his own throw is finished in 17 darts despite three ton+ visits.
Lewis 4-8 MVG

LEG 11 - Lewis to throw first
Five perfect darts to end the leg gives Lewis a bit of hope as he follows a 180 with treble 20 and double 10.
Lewis 4-7 MVG

INTERVAL
MVG is 1/200 with Sky Bet to win, with Lewis 20/1 so you might be more interested in the scoreline markets! It's 15/8 that he runs out a 10-3 winner while 10-4 is 6/4 and 10-5 is 4/1. It can't be anything else can it? Click here to place your bets!

MVG is averaging 103.17 at the moment compared with Jackpot's 87.71 while he's leading the 180 count 2-1. He boasts a checkout percentage of 63.64% (7 from 11) but can no longer 'win' the highest checkout market after Lewis' sensational 170 earlier. Jackpot has hit three of his four attempts at doubles!

LEG 10
If MVG had scored his heavily and finished so ruthlessly earlier, he wouldn't have given Barney a chance but to be fair, he's not really been put under the same pressure tonight. Two 140s sends him well clear in this last leg before the interval before sealing it with an 82 checkout.
Lewis 3-7 MVG

LEG NINE
The world number one's scoring power is taking it's toll on Jackpot, who is unable to reach a double on his own throw. MVG first three scores of 140, 170 and 100 pave the way for a 13-darter.
Lewis 3-6 MVG

LEG EIGHT
MVG rounds off a quick-fire 15-darter with a 114 checkout, made up of single 20, treble 18 and double tops.
Lewis 3-5 MVG

LEG SEVEN
Lewis is just about staying in touch thanks to a checkout of 94, with MVG waiting on 60. Jackpot is only averaging 86 compared to MVG's 103 but the scoreline doesn't reflect that.
Lewis 3-4 MVG

LEG SIX
I need a break and a drink, this is a relentless finish to a busy day of darts! MVG's scoring is far better than it was earlier today and visits of 93, 177 and 135 help him to another 13-dart leg as he opens up his two-leg lead again.
Lewis 2-4 MVG

LEG FIVE
Lewis pulls one back on his own throw with the help of three ton+ visits to help stem the tide.
Lewis 2-3 MVG

LEG FOUR
Players who throw this fast make it hard to do a blog and another leg flies past quicker than I can type. It's basically a 13-darter - including another 180 - from MVG and an easy hold.
Lewis 1-3 MVG

LEG THREE
As good as that was from Lewis, it just served to make MVG angry and the world number one responds with an 11-darter made up of visits of 180, 140 and 145, before ending with double 18 at the second attempt.
Lewis 1-2 MVG

LEG TWO
MVG whitewashed Jackpot 7-0 in a Premier League meeting earlier this year but there will be no repeat of that after Lewis nails two treble 20s and the bullseye for a 170 checkout! And that after MVG missed a shot at double tops.
Lewis 1-1 MVG

LEG ONE - Lewis to throw first
Not good news for Jackpot, who fails to reach a double before MVG breaks his throw in the opening leg with a clinical 14-darter.
Lewis 0-1 MVG

2135: Before we get under way, seeing as I've just shown a clip of MVG's nine-dart exploits, here's one for Jackpot fans to purr over... (By the way it's 12/1 with Sky Bet that either player hit one in this match)

Adrian Lewis fastest ever 9 darter (13 seconds) European championship vs Raymond Van Barnevald

2132: MVG is the 1/7 favourite with Sky Bet to get his first win on the board while Jackpot is 9/2. Sky Bet's Price Boost is MVG to win, score over 5.5 180s and have a checkout of over 120.5 at 7/2 from 5/2.

Verdict and suggested bet: Well, I finally tipped a winner in that last match after a long, hard day on the betting front! Let's keep the momentum going by backing that Price Boost above. Lewis may not improve too much from earlier given how rusty he is but surely the only way is up for MVG.

Here's their head-to-head stats...

Overall
Lewis 14 wins, MVG 34 wins, 3 draws

Last 10
Lewis 2 wins, MVG 7 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Lewis 3-4 MVG – World Cup
Lewis 5-6 MVG – Players Championship 9
Lewis 0-7 MVG – Premier League Week 13
Lewis 6-5 MVG – Players Championship 5
MVG 6-6 Lewis – Premier League Week 4
Lewis 5-11 MVG – Masters

2130: Now it's a crunch clash between MVG and Adrian Lewis, who both lost their afternoon games of course.

The world number one was well below his best against Barney earlier - but what is his best? Something like this...

TWO NINE DARTERS FROM MICHAEL VAN GERWEN IN ONE MATCH!!

2125: Here's how the Group A table now with one game of the day to go...

Phil Taylor (4) P 2 W 2 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 4
Raymond van Barneveld (8) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff +1 Pts 2
Adrian Lewis (6) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 Pts 0
Michael van Gerwen (1) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 Pts 0

Phil Taylor 10-6 Raymond van Barneveld: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Taylor: 92.53
Barney: 92.29

180s thrown
Taylor: 5
Barney: 5

Finishing percentage
Taylor: 38.46% (10/26)
Barney: 31.58% (6/19)

Ton + checkouts
Taylor: 120
Barney: N/A

Phil Taylor at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Phil Taylor 10-6 Raymond van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

LEG 16 - Taylor wins 10-6
The Power nails his fifth 180 of the match at the start of the leg to take full control but a missed dart at double 20 allows Barney a chance at tops after the Dutchman pins treble 20 and 17. Barney can't extend the match as Taylor returns and needs just one more shot at tops to complete a crucial victory. It's his seventh win out of seven in this tournament's short history!
Taylor 10-6 Barney

LEG 15
It's a double break for Taylor, who starts the leg with a maximum before visits of 99, 100 and 82 reduces his score to 40, which he takes out with his second attempt at tops for a 14-darter.
Taylor 9-6 Barney

LEG 14
It's worth mentioning their last two meetings in Auckland and Perth during the summer legs of World Series of Darts tour went to deciding legs, with the rivals sharing one win each. Here, Taylor goes two legs clear again with a 14-dart hold which included two 140s and a ton.
Taylor 8-6 Barney

LEG 13
The 50-year-old Dutchman doesn't let the previous blunders of the last leg faze him as a 13-darter, set up by two 140s and a 105, sees him hold.
Taylor 7-6 Barney

LEG 12
Van Barneveld's fourth 180 helps him set up his first darts at a double to break in the match but he misses three at double 16 - probably due to the pressure applied by a Taylor 180 - before busting on his next visit. The Power, who missed two of his own at tops, then nails double 10 to restore his two-leg lead. Agonising for Barney - he'll be kicking himself.
Taylor 7-5 Barney

LEG 11 - Barney to throw first
It was 27 years ago when these two first met back in the BDO but it wasn't until the Dutchman finally joined the PDC in 2006 when they started what turned turned out to be one of the biggest rivalries in darts. In what could be the last meeting in televised competition, Barney keeps alive his hopes of winning it with a cool checkout from 76 - albeit under no pressure from Taylor - to hold his throw.
Taylor 6-5 Barney

INTERVAL
After winning those last two legs, Taylor is 1/7 favourite with Sky Bet to win this clash while Barney is 4/1 to turn it around for his second victory of the day. Click here to bet live in-play!

Taylor is only averaging 93.88 at the moment but it's better than Barney's 91.88 while the pair have thrown two 180s apiece. The highest checkout so far is Taylor's 120.

LEG 10
The Power looks pumped up as he nails double six to complete a 92 checkout and he goes into the break with a two-leg lead.
Taylor 6-4 Barney

LEG NINE
Finally it's the first break of the match! Taylor initially missed double 20 to give Barney a chance to hold but the Dutchman failed with two darts of his own at tops before his old foe returned to pin double five with one dart to spare.
Taylor 5-4 Barney

LEG EIGHT
It's a Shanghai finish for Taylor as a 15-darter restores parity in potentially the last ever televised El Clasico of Darts before the Power retires.
Taylor 4-4 Barney

LEG SEVEN
Barney kicks off the leg with his second 180 but the drama is saved for the finish when he's let off the hook by the Power. Three missed darts at a double gives Taylor the first chance of the match to break but he can't capitalise on double 16 and Barney comes back to hold.
Taylor 3-4 Barney

LEG SIX
Taylor's second 180 of the match so far is followed up by visits of 100 and 140 before a 12-dart leg is completed by a clinical finish from 81.
Taylor 3-3 Barney

LEG FIVE
The pair evoke memories of previous battles by trading 180s but it's another relatively comfortable hold for Barney on double 16. There's actually been no darts thrown for a break yet.
Taylor 2-3 Barney

LEG FOUR
Taylor opens up a huge lead thanks to visits of 177, 140 and 136 which leaves him on 48 and despite missing eight darts at a double, Barney is still unable to throw a dart for the leg. The Power then finally hits double two to prevent an unlikely steal.
Taylor 2-2 Barney

LEG THREE
It's a pretty poor leg all round in terms of scoring as Barney takes it in 17 darts, with Taylor back on 139.
Taylor 1-2 Barney

LEG TWO
Three successive ton+ visits from Taylor paves the way for a 15-darter, which he completes with a 70 checkout.
Taylor 1-1 Barney

LEG ONE - Barney to throw first
Barney settles any nerves by taking out 67 in two - treble 17 followed by double - to hold his throw with a steady 14-darter. The crowd will be on the retiring Taylor's side but it won't be too resounding given Barney's popularity.
Taylor 0-1 Barney

2040: So defending champion Taylor is 4/9 favourite with Sky Bet, while Barney is 7/4 to pull off his second shock win of the day having beaten MVG earlier. Sky Bet's Price Boost is Taylor to win, hit the highest checkout and score more 180s at 4/1 from 3/1.

Verdict and suggested bet: I'm not doing well today so you'd probably be best ignoring this bit or doing the opposite. You'd have got a massive price if you'd done that on my MVG v Barney tip! But I'm going for the Power to win, score over 4.5 180s and have a checkout of 117.5 at 4/1. I don't want to put Taylor up against Barney in the sub markets after what we've seen already today but he still has to win!

Here is a reminder of the head-to-head stats:

Overall
Taylor 60 wins, Barney 18 wins, 4 draws

Last 10
Taylor 7 wins, Barney 3 win, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Taylor 9-10 Barney – Perth Darts Masters
Taylor 10-9 Barney – Auckland Darts Masters
Taylor 11-3 Barney – World Matchplay
Barney 3-7 Taylor – Premier League Week 6
Taylor 7-4 Barney – Premier League Week 3

2038: And here's one for Power fans to enjoy...

HIGHEST AVERAGE EVER in World Championship final from Phil Taylor!

2037: Now it's Taylor v Barney aka the El Clasico of Darts. Let's wet the appetite with a couple of clips. Firstly the famous 2007 World Championship final finish...

Phil Taylor vs Raymond van Barneveld - 2007 PDC World Final - Part 23

2035: Here's how Group B looks now, and as you can see the stunning Suljovic is guaranteed to be in the semi-finals while Dave Chisnall is out. Tomorrow afternoon Scottish foes Gary Anderson and Peter Wright will contest a straight shoot-out to join Suljovic in the last four.

Mensur Suljovic (7) P 2 W 2 L 0 LegDiff +9 Pts 4
Peter Wright (3) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff +3 Pts 2
Gary Anderson (2) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff -4 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall (6) P 2 W 0 L 2 LegDiff -8 Pts 0

Peter Wright 8-10 Mensur Suljovic Match Stats

Three-dart average
Wright: 101.8
Suljovic: 102.77

180s thrown
Wright: 4
Suljovic: 10

Finishing percentage
Wright: 38.1% (8/21)
Suljovic: 37.04% (10/27)

Ton + checkouts
Wright: 144
Suljovic: 104

Mensur Suljovic celebrates at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Peter Wright 8-10 Mensur Suljovic: Leg-by-leg

LEG 18 - Suljovic wins 10-8!
What a star! A 10th 180 of the match sets Suljovic on his way but then misses three match darts to open the door for Wright, who is waiting on 86. However, Snakebite misses the big number by hitting single one and a single 19 means he can't finish. Back comes the Austrian who nails double eight before sinking to his knees after yet another shock victory! He's beaten the world number two and three today to book his place in the semi-finals with a game to spare!
Wright 8-10 Suljovic

LEG 17
You'd think Suljovic would be feeling it after those last two legs but superb visits of 140, 139 and 140 leaves him on 82. He returns to the oche to hit bullseye and then double 16 to finish off an 11-darter and move one away from victory!
Wright 8-9 Suljovic

LEG 16
This is turning into a real thriller! Once again, a 180 with what proves to be Suljovic's final visit heaps pressure on Wright's attempt to finish 16 but he nails double eight at the first attempt.
Wright 8-8 Suljovic

LEG 15
Class from Snakebite! Wright is sitting nicely on 144 following a visit of 159 only for Suljovic piles on the pressure with a timely 180 to reduce his score to 39. But under huge pressure, Wright hits two treble 18s and a double 18 for a stunning checkout to stay very much alive.
Wright 7-8 Suljovic

LEG 14
Wright misses his one attempt at a double when trying to take out 101 before Suljovic tactically hits single 10 when on 38 to set up a shot at his favourite double 14. The plan works as he nails the red bit at his first attempt to break.
Wright 6-8 Suljovic

LEG 13
Suddenly Suljovic is showing weakness when four missed darts at a double - including a full house of blanks when aiming at double nine - allows Wright to sneak in on double 10, which he arrived at thanks to a 180 on his previous visit.
Wright 6-7 Suljovic

LEG 12
Wright kicks off his first leg on throw since the interval with a third 180 of the match and backs it up with two more ton+ visits en route to a 13-darter. He's still in this and has the quality to mount a winning run.
Wright 5-7 Suljovic

LEG 11 - Suljovic to throw first
We could be looking at a huge weekend in the career of Mensur Suljovic if this form continues. Back-to-back 180s at the start of this leg set up an 11-darter and he's now three legs clear. He's not playing like a man who has only won a single PDC title and only reached one televised final. That was the 2016 European Championship, where he beat Peter Wright in the semis.
Wright 4-7 Suljovic

INTERVAL
Suljovic is 4/9 favourite with Sky Bet to claim his second prized scalp of the day while Wright is 13/8 to come from behind for a crucial victory. Suljovic has the better average of 98.34 compared to Wright's 94.21 while he leads the 180 count at 4-2 and has the higher checkout so far of 105. Click here to place your bets!

Of course if Wright loses this, he faces a do or die clash with Gary Anderson tomorrow afternoon. That could prove extra heated considering how little they like each other!

LEG 10
Three tons and a 140 reduces Wright's score to 61 and he takes that out in three darts, finishing on double tops.
Wright 4-6 Suljovic

LEG NINE
Suljovic blitzes clear on throw with the help of two 140s and a ton. By the time he takes out 60 in two darts, Wright is still back on 150.
Wright 3-6 Suljovic

LEG EIGHT
Wright rattles in his second 180 when sitting on 184 and on his next visit proceeds to miss twice at double 2 and once in mad house. Suljovic takes full advantage of with a clinical finish from 60, ending on double 10.
Wright 3-5 Suljovic

LEG SEVEN
Suljovic holds with a 12-darter, taking out 67 with treble 17 and double eight, with Wright waiting back on 160.
Wright 3-4 Suljovic

LEG SIX
Two 140s and a ton from Wright gives him a chance at 121 but after setting up a shot at bullseye, he hits the 25. Suljovic then misses one dart at double nine so Wright returns to finish 25 in two darts.
Wright 3-3 Suljovic

LEG FIVE
Fabulous finishing from the Serbian-born Austrian as a single 20, treble 19 followed by double 14 sees him take out 105 in a leg where he'd also hit a second 180 of the match.
Wright 2-3 Suljovic

LEG FOUR
Snakebite gets his 180 tally up and running in a mixed leg of quality but he's able to hold comfortably enough by pinning his second attempt at tops.
Wright 2-2 Suljovic

LEG THREE
Wright comes within a whisker of taking out 161 as he hits treble 20, treble 17 before just missing the bullseye. Suljovic, who previously missed his own attempt at the bull, finishes from 25 in three darts to edge ahead for the first time.
Wright 1-2 Suljovic

LEG TWO
Suljovic nearly rescues a dire situation with six perfect darts thanks to back-to-back visits of 177 but he proceeds to miss five darts at a double, including two at double one. Fortunately for the Austrian, Wright also misses five and so returns to nail the green bit at last to level the match.
Wright 1-1 Suljovic

LEG ONE - Suljovic to throw first
A commanding break for Wright, who checks out from 76 for a 15-darter - which was helped along by two 140s - as Suljovic fails to even have one shot at a finish.
Wright 1-0 Suljovic

1940: Now it's the battle between the two Group B winners from this afternoon - Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic, who was awesome in thrashing Gary Anderson 10-3.

Despite that performance, world number three Snakebite is 4/9 favourite with Sky Bet, with the Austrian an 11/5 shot to cause another shock.

Verdict & suggest bet: Wright has won both matches between the pair this year and I think his switch to his old diamond darts could prove the difference tonight as long as he doesn't do any mid-match tinkering! I'll go with Wright to win and him to hit over 4/5 180s and have a checkout of over 116.5 at 3/1.

Overall
Wright 6 wins, Suljovic 2 wins, 0 draws

Last 5
Wright 3 wins, Suljovic 2 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Wright 6-3 Suljovic – European Darts Open
Wright 6-2 Suljovic – Players Championship 6

1935: Here's an updated look at Group B...

Mensur Suljovic (7) P 1 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 2
Peter Wright (3) P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 2
Gary Anderson (2) P 2 W 1 L 1 LegDiff -4 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall (6) P 2 W 0 L 2 LegDiff -8 Pts 0

Gary Anderson 10-7 Dave Chisnall: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Anderson: 101.8
Chisnall: 95.78

180s thrown
Anderson: 4
Chisnall: 7

Finishing percentage
Anderson: 33.33% (10/30)
Chisnall: 25.93% (7/27)

Ton + checkouts
Anderson: 124
Chisnall:N/A

Gary Anderson 10-7 Dave Chisnall: Leg-by-leg

LEG 17 - Anderson wins 10-7!
Anderson holds off the Chizzy fightback to put himself right back into this tournament with a 10-7 win, finished off with a fine 124 checkout on the bullseye. Considering he was hammered earlier, he could really have done with winning a bit earlier for his leg difference.
Anderson 10-7 Chisnall

LEG 16
Anderson has visits of 134, 135 and 100 but when trying to checkout from 107, he misses match dart on the bullseye and Chizzy pounces from 54 for a 12-darter which was set up by a 140, 180 and a 127.
Anderson 9-7 Chisnall

LEG 15
Chisnall digs deep to stay alive, finishing from 78 in three darts to complete a 15-darter.
Anderson 9-6 Chisnall

LEG 14
Anderson's fourth 180 of the match sets him on his way to a 13-darter, which he finishes clinically with his first attempt at tops.
Anderson 9-5 Chisnall

LEG 13
Anderson nails a 180 plus two more 100+ scores but Chisnall almost steals the leg when narrowly missing double 16 after two treble 18s when on 140.
Anderson 8-5 Chisnall

LEG 12
A fifth 180 from Chizzy followed by scores of 93, 100 and 103 helps him reach a finish first on the Anderson throw but his three missed three attempts at a double prove costly as the Scotsman pins double 10.
Anderson 7-5 Chisnall

LEG 11 - Chisnall to throw first
Chizzy returns to the oche with a 180 straight up before scores of 137 and 134 see him accelerate clear. He fails to take out 50 at his next visit but then nails double five under pressure, with Anderson waiting on 40.
Anderson 6-5 Chisnall

INTERVAL
The scoring has been pretty good but Anderson (average 95.09) has only hit six of his 23 attempts at doubles while Chizzy (average 91.12) has made just four of his 17! Chizzy is 3-2 up on 180s while Anderson has the highest checkout so far at 76.

LEG 10
Anderson is down to 16 after 12 darts but spurns the next three at doubles before managing to get out of the mad house double one at the first attempt.
Anderson 6-4 Chisnall

LEG NINE
The crowd badly need these two to start finding one of those purple patches because at the moment it's rather awkward to watch. Thankfully Chizzy hits a 180 on his way to a 13-darter which is a bit more like it.
Anderson 5-4 Chisnall

LEG EIGHT
Anderson busts from 100 after scores of 99, 140 and 162 put him well clear on the leg and needs another six darts to finish, with Chizzy still on 155!
Anderson 5-3 Chisnall

LEG SEVEN
Chizzy produces a fine 11-darter with scores of 180, 135 and 140 before hitting double 18 at the second attempt.
Anderson 4-3 Chisnall

LEG SIX
Awful finishing. Anderson misses five darts at a double - including a no score when aiming at double five - but Chizzy blows his two chances at tops and is made to pay.
Anderson 4-2 Chisnall

LEG FIVE
Two 140s helps Anderson seize the initiative on Chisnall's throw but he misses a shot at tops to break and Chizzy returns to hit the same double at his last attempt. Crucial.
Anderson 3-2 Chisnall

LEG FOUR
The Flying Scotsman maintains the momentum with a 180 at his next visit but back-to-back 140s means Chizzy has an attempt at a finish first - albeit from 164. He hits two treble 19s but his attempt at the bullseye hits single 2 before Anderson comes back to take out 47 in two darts, finishing on tops.
Anderson 3-1 Chisnall

LEG THREE
Anderson's mood will improve after that as two 140s and another ton help set up a checkout from 76, which he does so in two darts to break.
Anderson 2-1 Chisnall

LEG TWO
The woeful finishing continues into the second leg - but this time it's Chizzy who breaks in 21 darts. Wry smiles from both players but inside they'll be far from happy.
Anderson 1-1 Chisnall

LEG ONE - Chisnall to throw first
Both players land 180s in an explosive start but they take it in turns to miss a shot for 12-dart legs. Chizzy misses a further three darts to finish - two of which on double five - before Anderson nails double four to break.
Anderson 1-0 Chisnall

1855: First up tonight is Gary Anderson against Chizzy as both players fight to stay in the competition and given how heavy their opening defeats were - another loss will almost certainly be curtains.

Chizzy is obviously a much quicker player than Suljovic and that will suit the Flying Scotsman, who struggled badly with the Austrian's style earlier today. He has a far superior head-to-head record against the Englishman (see stats below) and tends to produce his best when he really needs to.

Verdict and suggested bet: I'm going with Anderson to win, hit more than 5.5 180s and manage a checkout of over 116.5 at 4/1 with Sky Bet.

Let's hope for anyone following this bet he plays like we know he can...

PDC World Darts Championship 2016 - 9 Darter Gary Anderson !!!!

Overall head-to-head
Anderson 14 wins, Chisnall 4 wins, 4 draws

Last 10
Anderson 8 wins, Chisnall 1 win, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Anderson 6-6 Chisnall – Premier League Week 11
Chisnall 3-7 Anderson – Premier League Week 6

1845: Here's the updated title odds from Sky Bet following the afternoon games compared to their pre-tournament prices.

Michael van Gerwen - 5/4 from 4/5
Phil Taylor - 7/2 from 5/1
Peter Wright - 4/1 from 6/1
Gary Anderson - 8/1 from 9/2
Raymond van Barneveld - 12/1 from 33/1
Mensur Suljovic - 12/1 from 40/1
Adrian Lewis - 50/1 from 25/1
Dave Chisnall - 50/1 from 33/1

1830: OK, here we go ahead for the evening session and you have to say the big shocks in each group have certainly thrown a spanner in the works as far as favourite backers are concerned. Not to mention those with tickets tonight who were hoping to see a needle match between Gary Anderson and Peter Wright followed by a Phil Taylor v MVG showdown!

The consolation is of course another Power v Barney classic (we hope) while that clash between the 'greatest ever' and the 'best right now' will of course happen tomorrow afternoon instead.

Well, I say "best right now" but he certainly didn't show it earlier today against his old Dutch foe and if Barney can maintain his sparkling levels then maybe, just maybe, he'll get one over on Taylor and seal his place in the semi-finals with a game to spare. What a turn up for the books that would be, eh?

1730: Here's some head-to-head records for tonight's matches...

Anderson v Chizzy

Overall
Anderson 14 wins, Chisnall 4 wins, 4 draws

Last 10
Anderson 8 wins, Chisnall 1 win, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Anderson 6-6 Chisnall – Premier League Week 11
Chisnall 3-7 Anderson – Premier League Week 6

Wright v Suljovic

Overall
Wright 6 wins, Suljovic 2 wins, 0 draws

Last 5
Wright 3 wins, Suljovic 2 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Wright 6-3 Suljovic – European Darts Open
Wright 6-2 Suljovic – Players Championship 6

Taylor v Barney

Overall
Taylor 60 wins, Barney 18 wins, 4 draws

Last 10
Taylor 7 wins, Barney 3 win, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Lewis v MVG

Overall
Lewis 14 wins, MVG 34 wins, 3 draws

Last 10
Lewis 2 wins, MVG 7 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

1635: So after that absorbing afternoon, packed full of drama and upsets, here's how the groups look now...

GROUP A

Raymond van Barneveld (8) P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 0
Phil Taylor (4) P 1 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +3 Pts 2
Adrian Lewis (6) P 0 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 Pts 0
Michael van Gerwen (1) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 Pts 0

GROUP B

Mensur Suljovic (7) P 1 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 2
Peter Wright (3) P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall (6) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 Pts 0
Gary Anderson (2) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -7 Pts 0

Michael van Gerwen 5-10 Raymond Van Barneveld: Match Stats

Three-dart average
Van Gerwen: 97.46
Van Barneveld: 97.19

180s thrown
Van Gerwen: 5
Van Barneveld: 8

Finishing percentage
Van Gerwen: 31.25% (5/16)
Van Barneveld: 43.48% (10/23)

Ton + checkouts
Van Gerwen: N/A
Van Barneveld: 136, 130, 120

Barney and MVG shake hands at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Michael van Gerwen 5-10 Raymond Van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

LEG 15 - BARNEY WINS 10-5!
Never underestimate Barney! As I said earlier, you never quite know when his best is coming but there it was right there and he finished in style with an 81 checkout. It was also one of those rare occasions when MVG failed to sparkle but he'll need to do that in his second game against Adrian Lewis tonight or he's heading out.
Van Gerwen 5-10 Van Barneveld

LEG 14
Now it's MVG's turn to fluff his lines on double 16 as Barney holds his nerve at the second attempt on tops to move one away from victory.
Van Gerwen 5-9 Van Barneveld

LEG 13
Maybe he is! Barney blows two darts at double 16 which allows MVG to back up his previous visit of 180 with a successful dart at double two to keep in touch.
Van Gerwen 5-8 Van Barneveld

LEG 12
Brilliant from Barney, who follows up yet another 180 with a 130 checkout on the bullseye to restore his four-leg advantage so he's in no mood to choke this lead is he?!
Van Gerwen 4-8 Van Barneveld

LEG 11 - MVG to throw first
The world number one shows signs that he's ready to climb off the canvas with a 13-darter to close the gap but there's still a mountain to climb.
Van Gerwen 4-7 Van Barneveld

INTERVAL
Raymond van Barneveld is the 1/3 favourite with Sky Bet to finish this off having started the match as a 9/2 outsider, while MVG can now be backed at 9/4. Barney is averaging 96.41 which is a shade less than MVG's 98.2 but he's out 180-ing his opponent at 6-4 while he has the highest checkout of 136. Click here to place your bets in-play

LEG 10
Oh dear. MVG misses three darts at double tops as Barney picks off double 16 in a pretty ropey leg to open up a four-leg lead at the interval.
.Van Gerwen 3-7 Van Barneveld

LEG NINE
A steady 14-darter from MVG halts Barney's purple patch but he still needs to up his game to another level if he's to avoid a shock defeat.
Van Gerwen 3-6 Van Barneveld

LEG EIGHT
This is turning into a demolition job akin to Suljovic's victory over Anderson earlier today. This time Barney takes out 92 in three darts, finishing on double six, to go 6-2 up! The crowd can hardly believe it.
Van Gerwen 2-6 Van Barneveld

LEG SEVEN
This could be one of those days when Barney does produce that magic we love him for. When on 316, he follows up a 180 with a stunning 136 finish for a stunning 12-darter to extend his advantage to three legs. A shock is really on the cards now.
Van Gerwen 2-5 Van Barneveld

LEG SIX
A third 180 of the match puts Barney well clear but so nearly makes a hash of this leg after missing seven darts at a double!
Van Gerwen 2-4 Van Barneveld

LEG FIVE
That's more like it from MVG, who strings visits of 140, 140 and 139 visits together before taking out 82 for a clinical 12-dart leg.
Van Gerwen 2-3 Van Barneveld

LEG FOUR
The first hold of the match comes when Barney delivers the Shanghai finish of 120 but only after MVG missed two darts to finish from 69.
Van Gerwen 1-3 Van Barneveld

LEG THREE
A second 180 of the match from Barney lights up a scrappy leg and the Dutch veteran backs it up to break the MVG throw once again.
Van Gerwen 1-2 Van Barneveld

LEG TWO
MVG quickly makes amends with visits of 140, 100, 91 and 130 before finishing from 40 to break straight back although Barney did spurn a dart at double 18 to go 2-0 up.
Van Gerwen 1-1 Van Barneveld

LEG ONE - MVG to throw first
Raymond van Barneveld bursts quickly into life - much to the crowd's delight - by throwing a 180 at his first visit and goes on to break the world number one, who missed one dart at double 16.
Van Gerwen 0-1 Van Barneveld

1558: Quick clip before this match gets under way and it's one for Barney fans...

Raymond van Barneveld - All Five 9 - Dart Finishes

1555: Now it's time for the all-Dutch affair between Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld. Unless MVG runs away with it - as I think he probably might - it will be a cracker given how strongly the fans will be behind Barney.

MVG needs no introduction does he? The fact he's only 28 and he's achieved this lot says it all...

2x World Champion (2014 & 2017), 2x World Matchplay champion (2015, 2016), 3x Premier League champion (2013, 2016, 2017), 3x World Grand Prix champion (2012, 2014, 2016), 2x UK Open champion (2015, 2016), 2x Grand Slam of Darts champion (2015, 2016), 3x European champion (2014, 2015, 2016), 3x Masters champion (2015, 2016, 2017), 3x Players Championship Finals champion ( 2013, 2015, 2016), 2x World Cup winner (2014, 2017) & over 50 other PDC titles!

By his incredibly high standards, MVG hasn't even had it all his own way this year despite winning 13 PDC titles and his crushing 16-6 defeat to Phil Taylor at the World Matchplay this summer will have hurt him.

He also lost twice to the Power during last year's Champions League of Darts so if he beats Barney then he'll get his first chance of revenge this evening.

On current form, and I know we already touched on it earlier, but he couldn't really be playing much better since making his return to the oche following the birth of his daughter Zoe.

He won his fourth successive Dutch Darts Masters title and followed this up with victory at the German Darts Grand Prix last weekend. In total he played 10 matches, won 60 legs and lost just 15 - plus he averaged 111 twice!

As far as his opponent goes, everybody loves Raymond. And everybody loves his matches against his greatest rivals in Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen so it's a good job he's in this group!

Here's their head-to-head record...

Overall
MVG 30 wins, RVB 17 wins, 1 draw

Last 10
MVG 5 wins, RVB 2 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings
MVG 10-5 RVB – Dubai Darts Masters
MVG 7-2 RVB - Premier League Week 12
MVG 6-3 RVB – German Darts Masters
MVG 5-7 RVB - Premier League Week 8

Verdict & suggested bet: Barney can beat anyone on his day but those days are hard to predict while you very rarely see an off day from MVG. I'll probably nudge you in the direction of Sky Bet's Price Boost of MVG to win, make the highest checkout and hit more 180s at 6/4 from 5/4.

1550: So here's how Group A looks after that...

Phil Taylor (4) P 1 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +3 Pts 2
Michael van Gerwen (1) P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +/- Pts 0
Raymond van Barneveld (8) P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +/- Pts 0
Adrian Lewis (6) P 0 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 Pts 0

Phil Taylor 10-7 Adrian Lewis: Match stats

Three-dart average
Taylor: 101.58
Lewis: 96.57

180s thrown
Taylor: 3
Lewis: 4

Finishing percentage
Taylor: 50% (10/20)
Lewis: 70% (7/10)

Ton + checkouts
Taylor: 129, 120, 117, 103
Lewis: 140, 104

Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Phil Taylor 10-7 Adrian Lewis: Leg-by-leg

LEG 17 - TAYLOR WINS 10-7!
The defending champion opens up with a win although he was made to fight hard for that having twice fallen a break down. He was 6-4 behind at the interval but he won six of the next seven legs to pick up a vital two points.
Taylor 10-7 Lewis

LEG 16
"He can't finish now - oh yes he can - on the bullseye. Yes!" Great commentary on the BBC there as Taylor takes out 129 to deny Lewis the chance of an attempt at double tops. The Power is one away from victory.
Taylor 9-7 Lewis

LEG 15
Taylor backs his break up with a comfortable 15-dart hold, finishing things off with a 64 checkout to go ahead at a crunch stage of the match.
Taylor 8-7 Lewis

LEG 14
The crowd start thinking about raising the roof when Taylor begins the leg with back-to-back 180s and although the nine-darter attempt fails miserably with a visit of 24, he then takes out 117 to level the scores with a break.
Taylor 7-7 Lewis

LEG 13
The Power switches back on with a 13-darter which again brings him to within one leg of Lewis.
Taylor 6-7 Lewis

LEG 12
A maximum from Lewis is sandwiched between visits of 140 as he sets up a superb 11-darter and Taylor is running out of time to respond.
Taylor 5-7 Lewis

LEG 11 - Taylor to throw first
Jackpot has one chance to move three legs clear with a shot at double tops but he hits the single and Taylor takes advantage by pinning double 16 at the second attempt.
Taylor 5-6 Lewis

INTERVAL
Adrian Lewis is now 1/2 favourite with Sky Bet to close out victory while Phil Taylor is now 6/4 to start his defence with a win. Taylor is averaging 97.29 at the moment which is marginally more than Lewis' 96.79 but Jackpot is leading the 180s count at 3-1. He also has the highest checkout of 140 and has hit six of his seven attempts at doubles. Click here to bet live-in play!

LEG 10
Lewis is on for a nine-darter after following up a 177 with a maximum but he then returns with an anti-climatic 40! Nevertheless, he checks out from 104 on his next visit for a superb 12-darter and, more importantly, a 6-4 lead.
Taylor 4-6 Lewis

LEG NINE
The 57-year-old stops the rot but needs a fourth dart at a double to do it. This certainly isn't the Taylor we saw at the World Matchplay.
Taylor 4-5 Lewis

LEG EIGHT
Taylor's fans will be getting worried now as his Stoke rival pulls two legs clear thanks to a comfortable 13-dart hold.
Taylor 3-5 Lewis

LEG SEVEN
Lewis may well be trailing on the averages with just 93 but back-to-back 140s help set up a break which moves him ahead for the first time since the opening leg.
Taylor 3-4 Lewis

LEG SIX
A scrappy leg in terms of scoring goes the way of Jackpot when he nails double tops for a 76 finish.
Taylor 3-3 Lewis

LEG FIVE
Taylor gets his nose in front again as he puts his doubles woes behind him with a clinical checkout of 103 for a 15-darter.
Taylor 3-2 Lewis

LEG FOUR
The Power spurns five darts at a double to break again as Lewis takes advantage to restore parity with one successful attempt at double four. Taylor 2-2 Lewis

LEG THREE
Taylor is two from two on doubles after a 120 checkout puts the seal on a 15-darter as he moves into the lead for the first time.
Taylor 2-1 Lewis

LEG TWO
Taylor is clearly unruffled as three successive 100+ visits plus one of 95 puts him on his way to a 13-darter which sees him break back.
Taylor 1-1 Lewis

LEG ONE - Taylor to throw first
Blimy, maybe another shock is on the cards as Lewis superbly checks out from 140 having set up the finish with three treble 18s as he opens the match with a break.
Taylor 0-1 Lewis

1502: Here's a reminder of an absolute all-time classic between the pair...

BEST DARTS MATCH EVER | Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis, 2013 Grand Slam of Darts

1500: Now it's time for Phil Taylor to begin his title defence against his Stoke rival Adrian Lewis.

The Power has clearly achieved it all but it was last year's superb Champions League of Darts success which ended a barren run of over two years without a prestigious TV title.

Beating MVG twice across the weekend renewed everyone's belief that he could still seriously challenge for the big titles but to do that in 2017 he's had to take a very selective approach to the tournaments he enters in a bid to stay as fresh as possible.

The strategy worked a treat at the World Matchplay this summer, when he thrashed the likes of Barney, MVG, Adrian Lewis and then Peter Wright to claim his 16th Blackpool title - so would you really be surprised if he comes out on top again?

Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis may have endured a couple of lean years in terms of winning titles but he did upset the odds by reaching the World Matchplay semi-finals despite having just returned from a back operation.

There were times he struggled with pain during that run so he decided to rest up and this will be his first appearance since Blackpool.

Verdict & suggest bet: I'm going for Phil Taylor considering the amazing form he's shown this season while he could capitalise if Lewis is a bit rusty. I'm going for Power to win and hit the most 180s at 15/8 with Sky Bet.

Here is the head-to-head record...

Overall
Taylor 54 wins, Lewis 17 wins, 2 draws

Last 10
Wright 5 wins, Taylor 5 wins, 0 draw

2017 meetings
Taylor 17-9 Lewis - World Matchplay
Taylor 7-5 Lewis - Premier League Week 11
Lewis 7-4 Taylor - Premier League Week 6

1455: Here's how Group B finishes up after the afternoon's games...

Mensur Suljovic (7) P 1 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 2
Peter Wright (3) P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall (6) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 Pts 0
Gary Anderson (2) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -7 Pts 0

These results mean that tonight, Suljovic will take on Wright while Anderson plays Chisnall in what will be a crunch clash.

Gary Anderson 5-10 Mensur Suljovic: Match stats

Three-dart average
Anderson: 95.84
Suljovic: 97.73

180s thrown
Anderson: 2
Suljovic: 3

Finishing percentage
Anderson: 25% (3/12)
Suljovic: 38.46% (10/26)

Ton + checkouts
Anderson: N/A
Suljovic: 157

Gary Anderson 5-10 Mensur Suljovic: Leg-by-leg

LEG 13 - SULJOVIC WINS 10-3!
Wow! The debutant annihilates Anderson 10-3 and finishes the match in style with a 14-darter which included his third 180. Some may have seen an upset happening due to the clash of styles - but surely not that margin of victory?!
Anderson 3-10 Suljovic

LEG 12
Well, that just sums it up. Anderson reaches a finish first having earlier opened the leg with just his second 180 but he miss on double top proves costly as the sensational Suljovic takes out 157 with treble 20, treble 19 and double tops!
Anderson 3-9 Suljovic

LEG 11 - Suljovic throwing first
Four successive visits of 100 or more puts Suljovic well clear of a despondent looking Anderson and can even afford five missed darts at doubles before finally hitting double five with his opponent waiting on 64.
Anderson 3-8 Suljovic

INTERVAL
Gary Anderson was 1/5 favourite before this match but he's now 100/30 with Sky Bet to turn this one around. Suljovic is 1/5 to win the three legs he needs to complete a famous win. Both players are averaging 99 while Suljovic is 2-1 ahead on 180s and boasts the highest checkout of 88. Click here to bet live-in play!

LEG 10
Two visits of 139 helps Anderson keep his slim hopes alive with a solid 14-darter and boy did he need that heading into the interval.
Anderson 3-7 Suljovic

LEG NINE
Suljovic is getting jittery as he misses double tops, double 10 and double 5 with successive throws but Anderson too blows his chance from 40. The Austrian misses double five on the outside twice on his next visit but his third pins the green bit and he moves closer to a superb victory.
Anderson 2-7 Suljovic

LEG EIGHT
A 13-dart leg follows for Anderson, who opened with a 45, and it looks as though he's finding his rhythm although is it too little too late? He still has a mountain to climb.
Anderson 2-6 Suljovic

LEG SEVEN
Anderson finally hits his first 180 of the match and follows it up with 131 and 140 before taking out 50 for an 11-darter. Scant consolation unless it inspires an incredible comeback.
Anderson 1-6 Suljovic

LEG SIX
Suljovic is flying and takes out 81 in three darts to complete a 12-darter which was set up by three 140s on the bounce.
Anderson 0-6 Suljovic

LEG FIVE
Anderson is no stranger to suffering shocks from time to time but this is unbelievable. Again he fails to reach a finish as the Austrian checks out from 88 to go 5-0 up!
Anderson 0-5 Suljovic

LEG FOUR
The second best player in the world misses a dart at a big number to set up a finish Suljovic makes him pay with nine, double eight to go 4-0 up!
Anderson 0-4 Suljovic

LEG THREE
This is a nightmare start for Anderson and anyone who followed my suggested bet. He now trails 3-0 after Suljovic takes out 52 with two darts. That said, they are both averaging a shade over 100 as things stand although the Scotsman's has hardly had a shot at a finish.
Anderson 0-3 Suljovic

LEG TWO
Maybe I underestimated how much Suljovic's style makes life awkward for Anderson, who is struggling to find his best at the moment. The Austrian, who opens this leg with another 180, takes full advantage with an early break.
Anderson 0-2 Suljovic

LEG ONE - Suljovic to throw first
The awkward and slow throwing Suljovic breathes life into the crowd with the first throw of the match as he nails a 180 while two further 100+ visits helps him to a comfortable hold to settle the nerves.
Anderson 0-1 Suljovic

1415: Here's a couple of clips to enjoy before this clash gets under way. Firstly Anderson at his brilliant best...

PDC World Darts Championship 2016 - 9 Darter Gary Anderson !!!!

And here's how Suljovic won the only PDC title of his career last year and oh how it's a sickener for Kim Huybrechts!

Mensur Suljovic v Kim Huybrechts - HAPPYBET INTERNATIONAL DARTS OPEN FINAL

1410: Next up it's Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic...

The Flying Scotsman obviously has the explosive scoring power, lethal finishing and high checkout ability to beat absolutely anyone. Although from time-to-time he does have history of suffering shock exits you don't see coming - such as his UK Open defeat to Paul Hogan.

He defeated MVG in the final of the Dubai Darts Masters earlier this year and recently turned on the style to capture the Perth Darts Masters title by defeating Raymond van Barneveld, so he's clearly finding his form at this crucial stage of the season.

Suljovic has been around a while but it's only been the last few years that he's started breaking into the latter stages of the bigger events.

He got thrashed by MVG in his only ever major final at the European Championship while he's enjoyed runs to the semi-finals of the 2015 World Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals plus he made it to the quarters of this year's World Matchplay.

His slow style can make life awkward for his quicker opponents and he has plenty of talent to spring a surprise.

Here's the head-head-stats for Anderson v Suljovic

Overall
Anderson 2 wins, Suljovic 2 wins, 0 draws

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)
Anderson 4-6 Suljovic – Players Championship 6
Anderson 6-4 Suljovic – Players Championship 4

Verdict and suggested bet: It might be a shade closer than people expect as the fast-throwing Anderson doesn't really like Suljovic's style but the Scotsman's class should prevail. I'm going for the match treble of Anderson to win, hit the most 180s and have the highest checkout of 11/8.

1405: It doesn't mean much now but he's the updated Group B table...

Peter Wright (3) P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 2
Gary Anderson (2) P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +/- Pts 0
Mensur Suljovic (7) P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +/- Pts 0
Dave Chisnall (6) P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 Pts 0

Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall: Match stats

Three-dart average
Wright: 101.28
Chisnall: 97.08

180s thrown
Wright: 6
Chisnall: 2

Finishing percentage
Wright: 45.45% (10/22)
Chisnall: 38.46% (5/13)

Ton + checkouts
Wright: 110
Chisnall: N/A

Peter Wright at the Champions League of Darts (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)

Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall: Leg-by-leg

LEG 15 - PETER WRIGHT WINS 10-5!
Wright nails five successive perfect darts but his sixth just goes below the red bit to end his hopes of a potential nine-darter. It takes him another nine darts to finish the leg - and indeed the match - as Chizzy runs out of steam. It's relief for Snakebite who lost his opening match last year so this will give him a great chance to reach the semi-finals. The return to diamond darts clearly worked a treat - although he was helped by a below-bar Chisnall.
Wright 10-5 Chisnall

LEG 14
Snakebite has found another gear now as he surges towards the finish line. Yet another 180 is followed up by a 140 and then a checkout of 89 and surely now Chizzy's chances are over.
Wright 9-5 Chisnall

LEG 13
A fourth 180 of the match helps set up a 13-darter for Wright to move two legs away from an opening victory.
Wright 8-5 Chisnall

LEG 12
Wright fails to make the most of his third 180 of the match and a 140 as Chizzy takes out 71 for a 15-darter to stay alive.
Wright 7-5 Chisnall

LEG 11
After solid scoring, Wright misses two darts at tops to pull well clear but fortunately for Snakebite, Chizzy is in no position to checkout. The Scotsman return to take it out at the third attempt for a 7-4 lead.
Wright 7-4 Chisnall

INTERVAL
It was an explosive start but after a scrappy spell on the doubles, both men are now averaging 98, with two 180s apiece. Wright is 1/8 favourite with Sky Bet but Chizzy can't be discounted at 9/2 having won that last leg. Click here to bet live in play! The live Price Boost is Wright to hit most 180s at 2/1 from 7/4.

LEG 10
Chizzy spurns four darts for a crucial hold but holds his nerve on double two with the last attempt of a visit to stay in this match.
Wright 6-4 Chisnall

LEG NINE
With Chisnall waiting to come back on 141, Wright finishes a 110 checkout on double 18 to go 6-3 up and there's just one leg to play before a short break. It'll be a crucial one.
Wright 6-3 Chisnall

LEG EIGHT
Wright misses two darts at a double as he looks to restore his two-leg lead but Chizzy fails to make him pay with a failed attempt at double top. Snakebite nails double four with the last dart of his next visit to go a break up.
Wright 5-3 Chisnall

LEG SEVEN
The Englishman does indeed maintain his revival with a break of throw - thanks to four visits of 100+ - to pull back to within one leg.
Wright 4-3 Chisnall

LEG SIX
Chizzy pulls one back with a 12-darter which was set up by scores of 137, 140 and 180 but he needs to build on this to stop Wright getting too far ahead.
Wright 4-2 Chisnall

LEG FIVE
Wright powers clear with back-to-back 140s and with Chizzy so back, he can even afford four missed darts at doubles before getting the job done on double four.
Wright 4-1 Chisnall

LEG FOUR
Snakebite's impressive scoring power gives him a chance to break and he duly obliges by taking out 76 in three darts, finishing on double top. Chizzy isn't playing badly by the way.
Wright 3-1 Chisnall

LEG THREE
Ruthless darts from Wright, who holds again with a fine 12-dart leg thanks to scores of 100, 140, 100 and 137. His average is around 120 at this embryonic stage of the match.
Wright 2-1 Chisnall

LEG TWO
Chizzy delights the crowd with a treble 20, double 18 finish from 96 to level the scores having earlier fired in his opening maximum of the match. High quality from both players.
Wright 1-1 Chisnall

LEG ONE - Wright to throw first
Superb start for Snakebite with scores of 140, 180 and a 145 as he completes an 11-dart leg! Maybe that switch back to his 'diamond darts' is what the doctor ordered.
Wright 1-0 Chisnall

1330: The players make their entrances at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena and we're finally ready to get this show under way...

1325: In case you're wondering, play is yet to begin. It'll probably be another few minutes after BBC have finished with their preamble. Still time to back my best bet of over 16.5 legs, a checkout of over 126.5 and move than 11/5 180s at 4/1 with Sky Bet.

1315: For those backing Chizzy, here's a moment which will build your hopes up...

Dave Chisnall NINE-DARTER - 2015 Grand Slam Of Darts

1310: Peter Wright ended his long wait for a major televised title when landing the UK Open during a stunning first half of the season which saw him win nine titles.

He beat MVG in two of those finals, including a 6-0 whitewash in the European Darts Grand Prix, but he choked against the Dutchman when the Premier League title was on the line, missing SIX match darts before going on to lose 11-10!

The titles have dried up since July but many have put this down to constantly changing his darts. But before this tournament he said: "My form was really good at the beginning of the year with my diamond darts but I wanted to try other things; obviously it hasn't worked. I've been on the board this week and the old darts fit like a glove. I shouldn't change but I hate using them!"

Chizzy, who is making his debut in this event, is still waiting for his maiden televised title but the longer his career at this level goes on without one, the harder it gets. Especially with so many good young players rising up the ranks.

Always good for a 180 or plenty, the St Helens thrower is one of the most popular players on the circuit - both with his fellow pros and the fans - so should he finally ever get the job done, there won't be many dry eyes in the house.

Verdict and suggested bet: All things considered I reckon it will be quite close given Wright's not so hot recent form but Chizzy has an awful record of late in their head-to-head clashes (see details below) so I'm going to give the edge to Snakebite here. My suggested bet is over 16.5 legs, a checkout of over 126.5 and move than 11.5 180s at 4/1 with Sky Bet.

For Wright fans, enjoy the moment he ended his major drought...

Peter Wright winning his FIRST EVER Major Title - 2017 PDC UK Open

1300: First up today are two crowd favourites - Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall - so let's take a look at their head-to-head record...

Overall
Wright 11 wins, Chisnall 11 wins, 2 draws

Last 10
Wright 7 wins, Chisnall 2 wins, 1 draw

2017 meetings (most recent 1st)

Wright 6-1 Chisnall – European Darts Open
Wright 10-5 Chisnall – Dubai Darts Masters
Chisnall 6-6 Wright - Premier League Week 10
Wright 7-4 Chisnall - Premier League Week 7
Wright 10-5 Chisnall - UK Open

1245: A quick look at my scoreline predictions for this afternoon's best-of-19-legs group games, complete with the Sky Bet match odds. I'll be offering my best bets before each match throughout the day.

Peter Wright (1/2) v Dave Chisnall (13/8) (Group B)

Scoreline Prediction: 10-7 (7/1)

Gary Anderson (1/5) v Mensur Suljovic (7/2) (Group B)

Scoreline Prediction: 10-6 (7/1)

Phil Taylor (4/11) v Adrian Lewis (9/4) (Group A)

Scoreline Prediction: 10-5 (7/1)

Michael van Gerwen (1/7) v Raymond van Barneveld (9/2) (Group A)

Scoreline Prediction: 10-4 (6/1)

1235: Here are some highlights from last year's event which explains just why MVG will be hungry for revenge over the old legendary master.

2016 Champions League Highlights

1230: So, who is going to win?

Well, obviously Michael van Gerwen is the odds-on favourite (4/5 with Sky Bet) and you can't say he hasn't been in great form since returning to the oche after short summer break following the birth of his first child Zoe.

So having missed the three World Series of Darts events in Auckland, Melbourne and Perth, he won his fourth successive Dutch Darts Masters title and followed this up with victory at the German Darts Grand Prix last weekend.

Neither field was of the highest quality and he didn't even meet Peter Wright, who failed to reach either final, but across both events he played 10 matches, won 60 legs and lost just 15.

This winning machine, who has claimed 13 PDC titles already this season, never needs any more motivation than he already has but on this occasion he has some scores to settle with his arch-rival Phil Taylor.

The Power beat him twice at last year's inaugural Champions League of Darts as he reminded the mass terrestrial audience who the greatest ever is (which was a key driving force for Taylor last year) while he gave him an absolute trouncing - 16-6 - at the World Matchplay this summer as he romped his way to his 16th Blackpool crown.

His picking and choosing of his events has allowed him to stay fresh for when it really matters and it worked a treat in Blackpool as he saw off Gerwyn Price, Barney. MVG, Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright in emphatic style. It was just like the old days. He won 72 legs and lost just 31.

I reckon he's worth siding with again at 5/1 with Sky Bet.

But it's far from a two-man field is it. Here's my full betting preview and also player-by-player predictions, which are packed with some great clips from the past.

1210: That was uncalled for. Especially because even the very best can drop their darts...

Phil Taylor drops his Dart 5 times IN-A-ROW - 2015 PDC World Championship

1205: Oh, and if anyone is expecting unfair comparisons with the standard of darts BBC usually show, then you've come to the wrong place! All of these players today started life in the BDO for goodness sake.

(Please forgive me, Anthony Fleet. I genuinely feel guilty about this...)

Lakeside nervous darts player Anthony Fleet vs Martin Adams

1200: Good afternoon darts fans!

The darting stars of the PDC are making what can now be described as their annual appearance on the BBC this weekend for the second staging of the top-class Champions League of Darts at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.

It's an elite field of the eight top ranked players in the world (prior to the qualifying cut-off at the end of July that is - which is why Michael Smith misses out) so it's one of the rarer chances for those without Sky to see the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson battling it out for a prestigious title.

It goes without saying this will be the legendary Power's last tournament on 'Auntie' before his retirement but at least the group-stage nature of this tournament means he's got at least three games for you to enjoy. That is, of course, unless you can't stand the man.

Today I shall be bringing you an eclectic mix of live updates, statistics, video clips from the archives and analysis - plus I'll also throw in a few predictions and betting tips for good measure.

Here below are the group tables, weekend match schedule & a BBC TV guide...

Champions League of Darts tables

Seedings in brackets

GROUP A

Michael van Gerwen (1)
Phil Taylor (4)
Adrian Lewis (6)
Raymond van Barneveld (8)

BET NOW ON WHO TOPS GROUP A!

GROUP B

Gary Anderson (2)
Peter Wright (3)
Dave Chisnall (6)
Mensur Suljovic (7)

BET NOW ON WHO TOPS GROUP B!

The players play each other over best-of-19 legs once, with two points for a win.
The top two in each group will go through to the semi-final. If players are equal on points then leg difference comes into play. If still level then it goes on head-to-head record.

Champions League of Darts: Schedule & TV times

Saturday September 16
Afternoon Session
Group Stage (Best of 19 legs)
Live on BBC 1 from 1315-1630 BST

Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall (Group B)
Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic (Group B)
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis (Group A)
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld (Group A)

Evening Session
Group Stage (Best of 19 legs)
Live on BBC 2 from 1845-2215 BST

Afternoon winners play each other
Afternoon losers player each other

Sunday September 25
Afternoon Session
Group Stage (Best of 19 legs)
Live on BBC 2 from 1315-1630 BST

Final group matches

Evening Session
Knockout Stages (Best of 21 legs)
Live on BBC 2 from 1830-2200 BST

Semi-Finals

Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B
Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A

Final

Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

Champions League of Darts: Live scores & updates as Mensur Suljovic beats Gary Anderson in the BBC final

Champions League of Darts: Sunday night results

Gary Anderson 9-11 Mensur Suljovic: Match Stats

Gary Anderson 9-11 Mensur Suljovic: Leg-by-leg

Phil Taylor 6-11 Gary Anderson: Match Stats

Phil Taylor 6-11 Gary Anderson: Leg-by-leg

Mensur Suljovic 11-9 Raymond van Barneveld: Match Stats

Mensur Suljovic 11-9 Raymond van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

Champions League of Darts tables & Sunday group results

Phil Taylor 10-9 Michael van Gerwen: Match Stats

Phil Taylor 10-9 Michael van Gerwen: Leg-by-leg

Adrian Lewis 2-10 Raymond van Barneveld: Match Stats

Adrian Lewis 2-10 Raymond van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

Gary Anderson 10-9 Peter Wright: Match Stats

Gary Anderson 10-9 Peter Wright: Leg-by-leg

Chizzy v Suljovic

Anderson v Wright

Lewis v Barney

Taylor v MVG

Saturday's Champions League of Darts results & blog

Adrian Lewis 4-10 Michael van Gerwen: Match Stats

Adrian Lewis 4-10 Michael van Gerwen: Leg-by-leg

Phil Taylor 10-6 Raymond van Barneveld: Match Stats

Phil Taylor 10-6 Raymond van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

Peter Wright 8-10 Mensur Suljovic Match Stats

Peter Wright 8-10 Mensur Suljovic: Leg-by-leg

Gary Anderson 10-7 Dave Chisnall: Match Stats

Gary Anderson 10-7 Dave Chisnall: Leg-by-leg

Anderson v Chizzy

Wright v Suljovic

Taylor v Barney

Lewis v MVG

Michael van Gerwen 5-10 Raymond Van Barneveld: Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen 5-10 Raymond Van Barneveld: Leg-by-leg

Phil Taylor 10-7 Adrian Lewis: Match stats

Phil Taylor 10-7 Adrian Lewis: Leg-by-leg

Gary Anderson 5-10 Mensur Suljovic: Match stats

Gary Anderson 5-10 Mensur Suljovic: Leg-by-leg

Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall: Match stats

Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall: Leg-by-leg

Champions League of Darts tables

Champions League of Darts: Schedule & TV times

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