Taylor Seeks Revenge

Phil Taylor takes on Mark Webster this Thursday evening in a repeat of the PDC World Championship quarter-final.

Taylor will be out for revenge as the Premier League of darts rolls into Nottingham this midweek after Webster knocked the 15-time world champion out of the tournament at Alexandra Palace last month.

"It wasn't too long ago and I'm sure he hasn't forgotten, so I'm expecting some sort of a backlash," said Webster.

“Hopefully I can keep playing like I have been and I can get another result against Phil on Thursday."

Last week’s defeat to Adrian Lewis was The Power’s heaviest loss in Premier League history and served to emphasise the belief that Taylor’s grip on the sport is loosening. Webster, meanwhile, made a winning debut to life in the Premier League as he defeated James Wade by a comfortable 8-3 scoreline.

The bookmakers have made Taylor a short 4/5 favourite to win the race to eight legs with Webster at 9/4 and the draw at 4/1.

Taylor and Webster’s opening week opponents also face each other this week with Lewis aiming to build on his opening week win by defeating last year’s runner-up James Wade.

Wade was unlucky to come up against an inspired Taylor in last year’s final and probably would have won the title on another day. But the former world number two has been in disappointing form of late after a surprise defeat in the world championships to Mensur Suljovic was followed by an early exit in the Players Championship Finals and then last week’s disappointing Premier League opener.

Lewis had the swagger of a world champion when defeating Taylor last week and is quoted at odds of 5/6 to maintain his 100% record in the tournament. Wade is 2/1 to bounce back to winning ways while the draw is a generally available 7/2.

It’s early stages in the Premier League but this year’s tournament is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing yet.