World Matchplay Darts: Player-by-player predictions including MVG, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson & Peter Wright

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The stage is set for one of the biggest tournaments in darts as the Winter Gardens in Blackpool plays host to the World Matchplay from July 22-30.

Two-time defending champion Michael van Gerwen is obviously hot favourite but Gary Anderson and Peter Wright are out to stop him while Phil Taylor is bidding for a 16th crown in his final season before retirement.

Here, we profile the main contenders - as well as the rest of the 32-man field - and predict how far each will go. (All odds correct as of 1300 BST on 21/07/2017)

By Chris Hammer

Michael van Gerwen

Age: 28
Country: Netherlands
Seeding: 1
Nickname: Mighty Mike
Sky Bet odds: 8/11
Walk-on music: Seven Nation Army, White Stripes
Career highlights: 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!

The above list says it all, really. Pure domination. Simply loves winning no matter what event it is. I went into great depth reflecting on his 2017 campaign in my main betting preview (click here to read it) and essentially I came to the fairly obvious conclusion that nobody will stop him reaching the final. Not even the great Phil Taylor in his retirement year. Gary Anderson or Peter Wright may run him close if either reach the final but it'll take a herculean effort for either man to reach the magic 18 legs first.

Prediction: He's going to win it isn't he?! You can get him at 4/5 in Sky Bet's "MVG v the field" market.

Gary Anderson

Age: 46
Country: Scotland
Seeding: 2
Nickname: Flying Scotsman
Sky Bet odds: 4/1
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

Anderson has the explosive scoring power, lethal finishing and high checkout ability to beat absolutely anyone. He's not got a bad record against MVG and recently defeated him 11-7 in the final of the Dubai Masters - but to get that far in Blackpool he'll probably need to overcome Peter Wright in what would be a grudge match with plenty of needle. Their frosty relationship probably went from bad to worse after they failed miserably together at the World Cup of Darts, losing to Singapore in the first round. Such an encounter would be very hard to call. It's worth baring in mind he's never reached the final in Blackpool and said this week: "I've always seemed to struggle in Blackpool. I've made the semis a couple of times but I've never really felt comfortable there."

Prediction: In theory he'll be in the semi-finals but if my main tip of Daryl Gurney to win the third quarter comes off, then Anderson is heading home in the second round (click here to read why)! He does have history of suffering shock exits, so don't count it out.

Peter Wright

Age: 47
Country: Scotland
Seeding: 3
Nickname: Snakebite
Sky Bet odds: 5/1
Walk-on music: Don't Stop The Party, Pitbull
Career highlights: UK Open champion (2017), World Championship runner-up (2014), Premier League runner-up (2017), 16 non-televised PDC titles and four more televised final appearances.

A  supremely confident Snakebite headed into his first Premier League Finals Night having broken his major duck at the UK Open in March - albeit without the injured MVG - as well as seemingly freeing up his mental block against the man who defeated him 16 times in a row before this year. Three wins - including two in European Tour finals - and one draw in their seven meetings had given him real self-belief so it was all the more disappointing for Wright's supporters to see his old mental wounds opened as he missed SIX match darts in a thrilling final. And it probably irked the Scotsman to hear MVG say it's only a matter of time before he wins a "really big one", somewhat inflicting an asterix against his UK Open triumph. Whether that was deliberate or not, we'll never know, but if that's a general feeling among their peers then Wright may feel the pressure of having a monkey on his back that he thought he'd removed!

Prediction: I'm a big Peter Wright fan and I expect to see him in the semi-finals at least. But he's reached his peak at 47 so he has that extra pressure of time not being on his side to get more majors under his belt. MVG obviously doesn't have those shackles - and has the experience of knowing how to win plenty already.

Adrian Lewis

Age: 32
Country: England
Seeding: 4
Nickname: Jackpot
Sky Bet odds: 40/1
Walk-on music:  Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag, Pigbag
Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2011, 2012), UK Open champion (2014), European champion (2013), 4x World Cup winner (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016), 17 other PDC titles, runner-up in 10 majors including 2011 Premier League & 2016 World Championship

The era of the Jackpot didn't last as long as he intended but that was largely thanks to MVG's arrival. Therefore it would be harsh to judge him on the amount of recent majors won and lazily assume he's not the player he was a few years ago. His nine-darter in an otherwise disappointing Premier League season reminded us all of his talents but part of his problems have been down to a "painful health issue" which he's recently had surgery on. He's pain free now but is it too soon to expect a run to the semi-finals in the top half of the draw?

Prediction: Jackpot will be happy with the draw should expect to beat Steve Beaton and then either Ian White or Rob Cross to reach the quarters. I wouldn't bet on him going any further but if he's fully over his problems then he's got a great chance of doing so.

Dave Chisnall

Age: 36
Country: England
Seeding: 5
Nickname: Chizzy
Sky Bet odds: 22/1
Walk-on music: Dizzy, Vic Reeves & Wonderstuff
Career highlights: World Grand Prix runner-up (2013), Grand Slam of Darts runner-up (2014), Masters runner-up (2016), Players Championship Finals runner-up (2016), winner of 11 non-televised PDC titles

The ever-popular Chizzy is still searching for a first televised title but it's unlikely he'll even add to his haul of four major finals considering he's in MVG's half. A man he hasn't beaten in their last 17 encounters, including an 8-0 drubbing in the recent Shanghai Darts Masters final. He'll delight fans with plenty of 180s but as usual his lack of mental strength will prove his undoing at crucial times.

Prediction: As I fancy Kim Huybrechts to win the second quarter of the draw, that means Chizzy is heading home in round two.

James Wade

Age: 34
Country: England
Seeding: 6
Nickname: The Machine
Sky Bet odds: 40/1
Walk-on music: The Boys Are Back In Town, Thin Lizzy
Career highlights: World Matchplay champion (2007), 2x World Grand Prix champion (2007, 2010), Premier League champion (2009), 2x UK Open champion (2008, 2011), Masters champion (2014), 20 non-televised PDC titles, runner-up in 11 televised majors 

It feels like he's been around forever but Wade is only 34 so I scoff at anyone who say his best days are behind him. Sure, all his major titles have come a long way back in the past but considering he's still operating at a high level, there's surely plenty of time for further improvement? He relies on his 'timing' to pick off opponents but he needs to find a way to reach the same kind of scoring power that the likes of MVG, Anderson, Wright and Taylor can and have achieved.

Prediction: The Machine should reach the quarter-finals, where he'd likely meet Peter Wright (and lose), but don't bank on him avoiding an early exit at the hands of Darren Webster or potentially Michael Smith in the second round. 

Mensur Suljovic

Age: 45
Country: Austria
Seeding: 7
Nickname: The Gentle
Sky Bet odds: 40/1
Walk-on music: Simply The Best, Tina Turner
Career highlights: European Championship runner-up (2016), winner of one non-televised PDC title

It took a long time for Mensur to become a familiar face and finally made people sit up and take notice when reaching the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals in 2015. Last year he won his maiden PDC title on the European Tour and also reached the televised European Championship final, only to be battered by MVG 11-1. He's reached two finals on the European tour in 2017, losing to MVG and Michael Smith, so he has decent form in his favour while his slow style of play certainly makes him an awkward customer for many of the world's leading names. 

Prediction: I personally have Daryl Gurney to win this quarter but many will fancy Suljovic at 4/1 given Gary Anderson, who he'd potentially meet in the last eight, can't stand slow players.

Phil Taylor

Age: 56
Country: England
Seeding: 8
Nickname: The Power
Sky Bet odds: 20/1
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), 15x World Matchplay champion (1995, 1997, 2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2014), 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

A legend of the sport is winding down to his retirement at the end of the season and has taken the Roger Federer approach of taking plenty of rest as he targets only the biggies. That said his recent withdrawal from the US Darts Masters in Las Vegas was due to a tummy bug - but he says he's over that now and no impromptu toilet visits are to be expected. He's hogged so much glory down the years that he doesn't need a "fairytale" finale to his remarkable career - although it's hard to argue that his role in the sport's massive growth doesn't deserve one. 

Prediction: His talent is clearly still there but he just can't mentally sustain it to the same level anymore. I'm not sure he'll even reach the quarter-finals but if he does, I can't see him having the energy left to win 16 legs against MVG.

Raymond van Barneveld

Age: 50
Country: Netherlands
Seeding: 9
Nickname: Barney
Sky Bet odds: 50/1
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

The crowd favourite of all crowd favourites, Barney proved he's far from a spent force when claiming back-to-back wins over Gary Anderson and MVG in this season's Premier League. Somewhat inevitably, however, his campaign tailed off after a couple of key losses seemed to knock the stuffing and confidence out of him. If he's up for it, he's great, but when the chips are down it can be a different story entirely. He was gutted after blowing his UK Open quarter-final with Wright when in a winning position and you wonder whether that was his last chance to add to his major haul.   

Prediction: I really hope we see a Taylor v Barney second-round classic but I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if it's Price v Cullen instead.

Jelle Klaasen

Age: 32
Country: Netherlands
Seeding: 10
Nickname: The Cobra
Sky Bet odds: 100/1
Walk-on music: Sex On Fire, Kings of Leon
Career highlights: BDO world champion (2006), winner of three non-televised PDC titles

We've all expected more success from this Dutch talent. Not only since his Lakeside title in 2006, but when his thrilling triumph over Phil Taylor 10 years later en route to the World Championship semi-finals gave his career a second wind of sorts. But he's only amounted to being a consistent entertaining performer without winning much at all. 

Prediction: At best he can reach the quarter-finals here but don't be surprised to be knocked out earlier.

Michael Smith

Age: 26
Country: England
Seeding: 11
Nickname: Bully Boy
Sky Bet odds: 40/1
Walk-on music: Shut Up & Dance, Walk The Moon
Career highlights: World Youth Champion (2013), winner of seven non-televised PDC titles

This St Helens thrower really needs to start being known for more than being a former world youth champion who hits a lot of 180s. To be fair, he's now moving much quicker in the right direction with a European Tour title in Gibraltar this season as well as a run to a final in Austria, where MVG beat him 6-5. 

Prediction: Bully Boy will beat Steve West in his opener and then it's 50:50 in a potential meeting with James Wade. He won't get further than Snakebite in the quarters though.

Kim Huybrechts

Age: 31
Country: Belgium
Seeding: 12
Nickname: The Hurricane
Sky Bet odds: 150/1
Walk-on music: Hi Ho Silver Lining, Jeff Beck
Career highlights: Players Championship Finals runner-up in 2012, winner of four non-televised PDC titles

I've made my case for Kim being a good bet to win his quarter of the draw in my main betting preview as I truly feel he has the ability to produce fantastic darts against most players until the stakes perhaps become too high and pressure affects his game. He's fiery and feeds off the crowd when it's going well but maybe he needs to curb that enthusiasm at times when a cooler head is needed. A case in point was his agonising defeat to Alan Norris in the UK Open quarter-finals when he missed a match dart at 9-8 up. This was bitterly disappointing for him as it was a golden chance to really make a breakthrough on a major stage.

Prediction: He has a decent draw and has it in him to overcome the likes of Chizzy and Jackpot to reach the semi-finals, where his run will end.

Ian White

Age: 46
Country: England
Seeding: 13
Nickname: Diamond
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music:  Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry
Career highlights: Winner of seven non-televised PDC titles

A player who has beaten MVG 6-0 and 6-1 in two of their last five meetings dating back to April 2016 is clearly a threat. The whitewash gave him his first of three Players Championship titles in 2016, which takes his career tally to seven, while the 6-1 earlier this year was only good enough to reach a semi-final on the European Tour. He's reached seven major quarter-finals over the past four years but this is when the matches get longer and he can't sustain his A game.

Prediction: He meets Rob Cross first and then potentially Adrian Lewis, who has had surgery recently. Another quarter-final could beckon but I'd expect him to bow out at that point.

Robert Thornton

Age: 50
Country: Scotland
Seeding: 14
Nickname: The Thorn
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music:  The Thorn
Career highlights: World Grand Prix champion (2015), UK Open (2012), winner of 11 non-televised PDC titles

If Thornton is unable to win anything else in his career - which isn't unlikely considering he's going through a barren spell at the age of 50 - he'll be able to retire with the satisfaction of beating the best two players ever to claim his major titles. He thrashed Phil Taylor 11-5 to win the UK Open in 2012 before pinching the World Grand Prix title from MVG in a stunning Dublin final of 2015. But his confidence to perform to his best at the highest level was badly affected by his dismal Premier League campaign in 2016 while his irritable body language isn't going to help him challenge for the top prizes anymore. 

Prediction: A first-round exit at the hands of Cristo Reyes.

Benito van de Pas

Age: 24
Country: Netherlands
Seeding: 15
Nickname: Big Ben
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music:  I Was Made For Loving You, Kiss
Career highlights: Winner of three non-televised PDC titles

Bags of potential, Big Ben has surged up the Order of Merit over the past year and a half thanks to three Players Championship titles in 2016 while his best display this year was a run to a European Tour final in Germany where he was beaten 6-5 by Peter Wright. On that day the young Dutchman averaged an astonishing 110 compared to Snakebite's 97 but ultimately a missed match dart on double seven proved costly as his ruthless opponent took out 121 with a bullseye finish. Apart from that he hasn't ventured beyond the quarter-finals in any event on tour so it'd take quite a leap of faith to back him doing anything special in Blackpool. 

Prediction: He's up against my man Gurney in the opening round, so it's an early exit I'm afraid!

Simon Whitlock

Age: 48
Country: Australia
Seeding: 16
Nickname: The Wizard
Sky Bet odds: 200/1
Walk-on music: Down Under, Men at Work
Career highlights: European champion (2012), World Championship runner-up (2010), Premier League runner-up (2012), winner of 16 non-televised TV titles

Clinging onto the 16th seeding spot on the cut-off date (July 10) wasn't ideal for the now world number 17 if he had any hopes of reaching the latter stages. Should he beat Kyle Anderson in an all-Aussie first-round clash then he'll come up against MVG and that's where his tournament ends. But at least he'll have proved he's still the top player from Australia - something he's rightly proud of.

Prediction: Only MVG, Wright & Gary Anderson have won more than his three titles in 2017 while Whitlock beat Kyle Anderson in their only meeting this season. He's 4/6 to beat him again and that's worth going in your first-round accas.

* Note: The unseeded players' World Rankings are given below although they qualified virtue of being high enough in the one-year Pro Tour Order of Merit list *(Click here for full details here)

Click here for the full world Matchplay draw, TV schedule & results

Click for Chris Hammer's in-depth World Matchplay betting preview 

Daryl Gurney

Age: 31
County: Northern Ireland
Current World Ranking: 16
Nickname: SuperChin
Sky Bet odds: 66/1
Walk-on music: Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
Career highlights: World Championship quarter-finalist (2017), UK Open semi-finalist (2017), winner of one non-televised PDC title

The Northern Irishman is climbing up the rankings at a rate of knots as he continues to show just why he could be the next player to break into the Premier League contingent. He's reached five finals this year, including the recent US Darts Masters, where he beat Gary Anderson and Peter Wright along the way, won a maiden PDC title and also enjoyed a superb run to the UK Open semi-finals. He's into the world's top 16 a week too late to be seeded here - but that's a blessing because that would have put him on course with a second-round meeting with MVG! Nevertheless he still has a tough draw, with Anderson and Wright in his half, but he has the scoring power to impress in these longer leg play matches. 

Prediction: Definitely a live outsider in the betting in my eyes (read my full betting preview). You can gets odds of 80/1 each way or take prices of 10/1 about him to win his quarter, knowing he has very recently beaten the main threat to that bet - Gary Anderson.

Gerwyn Price

Age: 32
Current World Ranking: 18
Nickname: The Iceman
Sky Bet odds: 200/1
Walk-on music: Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby
Career highlights: UK Open runner-up (2017), winner of two non-televised PDC titles

Price has taken over from Justin Pipe as the 'best body in darts' - and by quite some distance it must be said - but the musclebound former rugby union player wants to be more than just oche eye-candy. And he's on the right track too. The Welshman has made a rapid ascent up the rankings since joining the PDC circuit in 2014, winning back-to-back Players Championship events last year while also reaching his maiden major final at the UK Open, where he lost to Peter Wright. He's been handed the chance at being the fairytale killer by being drawn against Phil Taylor in the opening round. You may find the Power's words on Price more interesting than my own: "A lot of players don't like him, but I quite like him. He's a good little player with a bit of go about him. I just think he's different because he's come across from another sport and he sticks up for himself." 

Prediction: Price digs in and he'll need to turn his clash with Taylor into a dog fight if he's to cause an unpopular shock. I don't see it happening.

Alan Norris

Age: 45
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 19
Nickname: Chuck
Sky Bet odds: 200/1
Walk-on music: Maria (I Like It Loud), Scooter
Career highlights: BDO world championship runner-up (2014), World Championship quarter-finalist (2016), UK Open semi-finalist (2017), winner of three non-televised PDC titles

Chuck is a battler you should never underestimate on tour and will be satisfied with the section of the draw he's ended up in as u dangerous unseeded player. He fought his way through to the UK Open semi-finals but was out-fought by Gerwyn Price as both players felt the pressure of such a fantastic opportunity. Afterwards he said: "You've got to work for your achievements, so I'll keep working at it but I'm going in the right direction" but I'm not sure he'll get a better chance than that in the biggest events.  

Prediction: He faces Kim Huybrechts first and as I'm backing the Belgian to win that quarter of the draw, then I have to predict an early exit for Norris.

Mervyn King

Age: 51
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 20
Nickname: The King
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music: King of Kings, Motorhead
Career highlights: Runner-up in five PDC majors including the 2009 Premier League Darts and 2014 Masters, winner of seven non-televised PDC titles. 

The King has the most epic walk-on music of them all - King of Kings by Motorhead - so it's such a shame it doesn't grace major finals anymore. He's past his peak years which saw him challenge for the sport's biggest prizes without winning one - not least the agonising 2014 Masters defeat to James Wade - but he's still a useful operator having reached a European Tour final this year. He's had his fair share of run ins over the years but he's an emotional guy. Arguably one of the biggest lump in the throat moments from the 2017 World Championship was the sight of good old Merv fighting back the tears after his first round win. It meant so much to him so goodness knows how he'll react if he ever breaks his major duck.

Prediction: Sadly it's going to be a first-round exit for The King - he plays Chizzy.

Joe Cullen

Age: 28
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 21
Nickname: The Rockstar
Sky Bet odds: 300/1
Walk-on music: Freed From Desire, Gala
Career highlights: Winner of two non-televised PDC events

Probably too cool to be a top darts player but with the sport's image changing massively there's no doubt Barry Hearn would love The Rockstar to reach the next level, having shown plenty of promise over the past year and a half. His two Players Championship titles came this year, with the second coming earlier this month, so he'll be feeling confident ahead of a first-round meeting with Barney.

Prediction: It's going to be a tough challenge against a man who is desperate to meet Phil Taylor potentially one last time on the big stage but Cullen isn't without hope at 23/10.

Stephen Bunting

Age: 32
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 22
Nickname: The Bullet
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music: Surfin' Bird, The Trashmen
Career highlights: BDO world champion (2014), World Grand Prix semi-finalist (2014), UK Open semi-finalist (2015), winner of two non-televised PDC titles

The Liverpool thrower initially made a promising start to his PDC career after winning the BDO crown in 2014 but he's struggled to build it. And this year in particular he's struggling to go deep in any tournament, reaching just one quarter-final and nothing better. He plays a man he beat 6-4 to win his last Players Championship title last year so he has a chance, right? 

Prediction: No, is the answer to the above question. It's MVG.

Steve Beaton

Age: 53
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 25
Nickname: The  Bronzed Adonis
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music: Stayin' Alive, Bee Gees
Career highlights: BDO world champion (1996), European championship runner-up (2009), winner of four non-televised PDC titles

As far as housewives choices go in darts, I always think of the Bronze Adonis as the original and the best. Beaton may not have the flowing curly locks of yesteryear but he's still got it, at 53 years young. The popular Englishman, who reached the World Matchplay semi-finals way back in 2001, is also enjoying something of a mini renaissance having landed his first title in four years last month at a Players Championship event in Wigan. He had to beat Gary Anderson in the final to do it while he'd also knocked out Dave Chisnall and Rob Cross earlier in the day. There's life in the old dog yet.

Prediction: He's going to win it isn't he?! You can get him at 4/5 in Sky Bet's "MVG v the field" market.

Cristo Reyes

Age: 29
Country: Spain
Current World Ranking: 28
Nickname: The Spartan
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Walk-on music: Hall of Fame, The Script
Career highlights: Has reached the last 16 of five majors, including the 2015 World Championship

His 'career highlights' section above may not be the most flattering by this guy can do damage on a good day. That said, he lost on probably his best ever day when he averaged 106.07 in a thrilling second-round defeat to MVG at the 2017 World Championship. At that moment in time it was the highest ever losing average in the tournament's history only for Barney to better that with a 109.34 in his semi-final loss to MVG. 

Prediction: Certainly worth backing at 4/5 in his first-round match with Robert Thornton but don't expect him to give Peter Wright much of a challenge.

Darren Webster

Age: 49
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 29
Nickname: Demolition Man
Sky Bet odds: 300/1
Walk-on music: Dancing In The Dark,- Bruce Springsteen
Career highlights: Players Championship Finals semi-finalist (2016), winner of two non-televised PDC titles

The Norwich thrower nearly produced one of the biggest stories of 2016 when he stormed into a 6-0 lead over MVG in his first major semi-final at the Players Championship Finals. But like being chased in a bad dream, he then predictably started wading through treacle as MVG hunted him down in a 11-8 victory but to his credit he's taken a lot of confidence from the whole experience. He won his first ranking title for 12 years when defeating Daryl Gurney in a Players Championship final earlier this month and that sealed his place in the World Matchplay field.

Prediction: He's a dangerous opponent for James Wade in the first round and would then fancy himself against either Michael Smith or Steve West. The quarter-final would be his absolutely limit though.

Justin Pipe

Age: 45
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 30
Nickname: The Force
Sky Bet odds: 500/1
Walk-on music: You Can Feel The Force, The Real Thing
Career highlights: World Grand Prix semi-finalist (2013), Players Championship Finals semi-finalist (2012, 2013), winner of six non-televised PDC titles

Probably a bit miffed to lose the unofficial 'best body in darts' crown to Gerwyn Price but there's certainly not a better break-dancer in the game. You'd think the muscles he built up during his life as a tree surgeon would have suited a more macho style of play rather than his painfully slow game which has irked opponents down the years but it looks as though his rivals have got the measure of it these days.

Prediction: Faces the rapid-fire Jelle Klaasen in the first round and will try his best to unsettle the Dutchman's rhythm. Might be worth a shot at 2/1.

Kyle Anderson

Age: 29
Country: Australia
Current World Ranking: 31
Nickname: The Original
Sky Bet odds: 300/1
Walk-on music: "Solid Rock", Street Warriors feat. Shannon Noll
Career highlights: UK Open quarter-finalist (2016), European Championship quarter-finalist (2016)

The second best Anderson - by quite some distance - and the second best Australian - but not by much - in the field. He teamed up with Simon Whitlock to reach last year's World Cup quarter-finals but on Monday night he'll be facing the Wizard as the outsider in a match which could signal the changing of the guard in Australian darts. 

Prediction: He'll have some backers at 6/5 to beat Whitlock but I'm going to give the edge to the wily old Wizard.

John Henderson

Age: 44
Country: Scotland
Current World Ranking: 32
Nickname: Highlander
Sky Bet odds: 500/1
Walk-on music: Rockin' All Over The World, Status Quo
Career highlights: World Grand Prix quarter-finalist (2011), European Championship quarter-finalist (2015)

Big John is a popular chap and a lot of fun on the exhibition circuit. The closest he came to winning anything was when he reached a European Tour final in 2015 but he unfortunately found himself up against MVG.

Prediction: He's lost his four previous meetings to Mensur Suljovic, including two this season, so don't expect a mini upset.

James Wilson

Age: 45
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 35
Nickname: Jammie Dodger
Sky Bet odds: 300/1
Walk-on music:  "Daydream Believer", The Monkees
Career highlights: European Championship quarter-finalist (2016)

James was a leading name in the BDO before his switch to the PDC having won the World Trophy in 2014 and a string of consistent displays over the last two seasons - albeit without winning a title - has helped him climb the rankings.

Prediction: First-round exit. He plays Peter Wright.

Christian Kist

Age: 31
Country: Netherlands
Current World Ranking: 38
Nickname: The Lipstick
Sky Bet odds: 400/1
Walk-on music: Thunderstruck, AC/DC
Career highlights: BDO world champion (2012), 

The lowest ranked of five Dutchman in the field but he does have a world title to his name having conquered the BDO scene back in 2012. A run to the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals that same year convinced him that he could mix it with the PDC lot but he's still waiting to do something special.

Prediction: He plays Gary Anderson in the first-round so he's as good as out already.

Steve West

Age: 42
Country: England
Current World Ranking: 39
Nickname: Simply
Sky Bet odds: 750/1
Walk-on music: Don't Stop Believin', Journey
Career highlights: Runs to the last 16 of two majors including the 2016 World Grand Prix

Steve West is a solid performer but he finally got his magic moment on a big stage with that stunning victory over 11-time champion Phil Taylor at last year's World Grand in Dublin. He struggled to get himself back down to earth in time for the second round, losing 3-0 to Daryl Gurney.

Prediction: Will probably bow out to Michael Smith at the first hurdle.

Rob Cross

Age: 26
Current World Ranking: 49
Nickname: N/A
Sky Bet odds: 50/1
Walk-on music: Jump, Kris Kross
Career highlights: Two non-televised PDC titles

The former electrician is enjoying a dream debut season on the PDC tour but is still in the process of choosing a nickname, having asked darts fans via the PDC's social media to help him out! Lacking the imagination to come up with something like 'Crossfire', 'Crossbow' or 'Crosswits' (what a gameshow that was) means he must be focusing all his mental power on improving his game, and it's clearly paying off with two Players Championship titles to his name this season as well as a victory over MVG. He's ranked 49 in the world but qualifies virtue to his 15th place on the one-year ProTour Order of Merit. This goes some way to explaining why he's as short in the betting as some of the biggest names in the sport.

Prediction: He showed little sign of stage fright in his first major at the UK Open, where he lost to eventual champion Peter Wright in the last 16 and given his impressive form, he really does have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals. He's 4/1 to win a quarter which also includes Chizzy, Adrian Lewis and Kim Huybrechts but I think that might just be beyond him.

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