Michael van Gerwen vs Phil Taylor – Live Stream and World Matchplay Darts Final Preview
Michael van Gerwen vs Phil Taylor takes place tonight in the final of the 2014 World Matchplay. Sunday’s World Matchplay Darts final is scheduled to start at 19:15 BST.
In the UK, the game airs live on Sky Sports 1/Sky Sports 1 HD, while it is also streaming live online with 365.
Preview: World No. 1 and 2 respectively, Van Gerwen and Taylor have contested some of the most memorable matches in the recent history of the sport, and now look set to create more history as they commence the latest chapter of their fascinating rivalry. Both have stood out as the two most formidable forces on the golden mile this week, and the fixture pairs together the Matchplay maestro of six consecutive years up against the young pretender appearing in his first Winter Gardens final. Taylor has ruled the roost at this venue over the tournament’s 21-year history, and is once again on the cusp of retaining his crown and extending his incredible unbeaten record on this stage to seven years. In typical fashion, ‘The Power’ has shaken the monkey off his back this week, banishing a torrid start of the season by thriving in his favourite event and returning to his emphatic top form. The Stoke star produced a sensational nine-darter in his second round win over Michael Smith and is now eyeing a further slice of history by capturing his 15th title and maintaining his 100 per cent record in World Matchplay finals over two decades of dominance. Taylor’s pathway to the final has seen him shrug off Darren Webster, Michael Smith, home hero Wes Newton and most recently Gary Anderson in a thrilling Semi-Final to gain unstoppable momentum, and with the exception of his clash against Newton, he has improved round-on-round – an ominous sign for MVG. World number one van Gerwen has handled the expectation of being the bookmaker’s favourite to scoop the crown with consulate ease thus far and now stands on the brink of a historic triumph. MVG is bidding to become only the seventh different player to have lifted this prestigious trophy since 1994 in what would also secure a memorable World Championship/World Matchplay double in the same season. The Dutch sensation powered past Steve Beaton and Ian White, before surviving a stern test from fellow heavy-hitter Dave Chisnall to seal his spot in the semis, where he then produced a timely late surge to overcome Simon Whitlock 17-13. Admittedly, Van Gerwen has not been at his prolific best over the past eight days, but has a growing reputation for turning on the style on the big occasion, and could do just that courtesy of trademark power scoring tonight. Van Gerwen knows he can ill-afford to squander key darts at doubles against a merciless Taylor and the world champion will be desperate to establish an early lead and continue his trait as one of the sport’s best front-runners. The duo have met a total of 36 times in previous competition, with Taylor having prevailed on 24 of those occasions dating back to Van Gerwen’s youthful days of 2006. Their three most notable battles were contested in finals last year, with Taylor taking the spoils in the World Championship and Sydney Masters, while Van Gerwen claimed the Premier League and Players Championship Finals crowns.
