World Championship Darts - Final

Rob Cross v Phil Taylor - there are so many naratives that could fit this match - it's going to be a classic whatever though - of that we can be sure.

First off, this will be Phil Talyor's final professional match, and he's hoping to land his 17th World Championship title. It will be the end of an incredible journey that has seen the Stoke thrower continually raise the bar of what is possible with three arrows year in, year out.

He's going out at the very very top, and it's perhaps apt that he is meeting the man that many are tipping as the next big thing in darts (Taylor included).

It was just 10 months ago in February that Rob Cross collected his first £250 in winnings on the PDC Tour Circuit. He's already assured himself at least £170,000 even if he loses to Taylor, but would pick up £400,000 if he can come out on top.

Many believe he can - he's been a revelation in 2017, rocketing up the rankings and finishing as arguably the third best player in the season behind Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson, and is a certainty to be involved in the 2018 Premier League as a result.

How do the pair stack up this tournament?

Averages:

Cross holds the edge - leading 100.93 v Taylor's 99.79

180s:

Cross has hit 55 compared to 26 from Taylor, ut he's also played in longer matches. Cross has hit 0.36 per leg, while Taylor has hit 0.22 per leg.

Sets and Legs:

Both have won 22 set of course, but Cross has lost 13 and Taylor just 5.

Rob Cross has won 80 legs and lost 72 (+8), while Taylor has won 75 and lost 43

Bets:

Despite what the averages might say, Taylor has been the more capable player when it comes to crossing the magical 12 dart barrier, and his experience over the long format could ensure that those who want to see the final hurrah from Taylor go home satisfied. Having wrestled long and hard with this, we're going to fall down on the side of Taylor and back the records to be broken one last time. He's 17/20 in a number of places, and that warrants a small bet.

25% of Cross' winning doubles have been fired into d16 this tournament, while its 39% (thanks to @ochepedia for the stats on this) for Taylor, and that means the 3/1 available on d16 being the final out double represents decent value at Winner. The same applies to the 7/4 on it being any green number.

Finally, with Taylor set to give the darts to Cross if he wins the bull-off, the first set score market could be worth playing, with Taylor 3-1 the obvious selection at 3/1. With Cross likely to throw first, you'd expect if he wins the set he more likely wins it 3-0 or 3-2, while Taylor would win 3-1 with a couple of single break scenarios - breaking in the first or third leg.

1pt Taylor to beat Cross at 17/20

2pts Match Winning Double to be d16 at 3/1

2pts Match Winning Double to be Green at 7/4

1pt First Set Score Taylor to Win 3-1 at 4/1

#Darts