Taylor and Gurney may not pile on the maximums

Quarter-finals
Sky Sports Action, 8pm Saturday

Phil Taylor and Daryl Gurney are going to have to be on top of their games if they are going to pile up 17 maximums in their Grand Slam quarter-final in Wolverhampton.

The Power isn’t a famed 180-hitter – although he did pile in six against Darren Webster on Thursday. Gurney managed seven in a 10-2 hammering of James Wade, but it was like a practice session because he was under no pressure.

Obviously the format is now longer – potentially a maximum 31 legs – and in theory there is far less to choose between the two than there was 12 months ago.

Taylor has, however, won all three of his meetings against Superchin, most recently at last month’s German Masters.

The match of the night, however, is the clash between Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross.

The world number one knows he has the measure of anyone, but he also knows Cross has to be respected. The Sussex shooter should have beaten Van Gerwen in the group stage – he missed three match darts – and he beat the Dutchman in the European Open in July.

On the flip side, Van Gerwen has prevailed in their other six showdowns this year.

Recommendation
Under 16.5 180s in P Taylor v D Gurney
3pts Evs Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes

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