Van Gerwen can motor to Grand Prix success

M van Gerwen v P Wright
Sky Sports Action, 8.15pm Saturday

Talk of Gary Anderson being the best player in the world has inspired Michael van Gerwen to raise his game and the devastating Dutchman should claim his fourth World Grand Prix title against Peter Wright tonight.

MVG hasn’t put a foot wrong in Dublin this week and the averages he has produced, considering the tournament's double-in double-out format, make him difficult to oppose.

The world number one averaged 102 in his 3-1 quarter-final triumph over a rejuvenated Dave Chisnall before recording a mere 97 average in his 4-1 demolition of 2017 champion Daryl Gurney.

Van Gerwen’s doubling has been relentless and if Wright starts as slack as he did in his 4-3 semi-final triumph over Mensur Suljovic then he will be punished. Snakebite found himself three sets down against Suljovic before the Austrian’s game dipped.

Wright also needed a deciding set to see off James Wilson in the quarter-finals and his performances haven’t been as controlled as Van Gerwen's.

However, Wright has shown his battling qualities on numerous occasions and bookmakers may be too confident about an emphatic MVG success.

The Scot has won three of their last five meetings, which includes an 11-9 victory in last month’s Champions League, and their battles with silverware at stake tend to be tight.

Van Gerwen has won their last two Major finals but not without fight. The Dutchman won 11-10 in the Premier League in 2017 and was a 16-12 victor in last season's Grand Slam of Darts.

The similar outcome is expected and, although MVG has been devastating, Wright won't roll over and has the quality to keep it close.

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