New world champ Rob Cross 7-2 to claim Premier League

New world champion Rob Cross ended the career of Phil Taylor in spectacular style on Sunday night and has been installed 7-2 second favourite for the 2018 Premier League which starts on February 1 in Dublin.

Cross, one of four Premier League first-timers, has stormed up to number three in the world rankings following his stunning 7-2 triumph over The Power in the William Hill World Championship final at Alexandra Palace.

Defending champion Michael van Gerwen, beaten by Cross in a semi-final thriller at Ally Pally, is 10-11 to retain his title.

The 14th running of the Premier League will be the first without 57-year-old six-time winner Taylor, who has retired, while there is no place in the field for old stagers Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Dave Chisnall.

The three other rookies are Daryl Gurney, Mensur Suljovic and Gerwyn Price while 2012 runner-up Simon Whitlock is perhaps fortunate to get a recall after a three-year absence. The Australian is the 200-1 outsider in the ten-man field.

The Premier League runs for 15 weeks, visiting seven different countries before culminating in the finals night at London’s O2 on May 17.

Cross is also 7-2 to defend his PDC crown next year, with Van Gerwen an 11-8 favourite and Gary Anderson and Peter Wright chalked up at 8-1 and 14-1. Taylor is 20-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power to make a comeback and claim a 17th world title.

The BDO World Championship begins on Saturday. Glen Durrant is 11-8 for glory at the Lakeside.

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