Power is full on for Price victory

PHIL TAYLOR is backing Gerwyn Price to land back-to-back world titles at Alexandra Palace – even if the fans get on his case again.

The Power, who won an incredible 16 world titles between 1990 and 2013, says defending champion Price (above) is the man to beat at the William Hill PDC World Championship.

Speaking at a Target Darts media event, Taylor (right) said: “I’ve got to back Gezzy – he’s the man in form, he’s playing with a lot of confidence and he doesn’t look as if he fears anybody.

“Gerwyn’s got all the attributes and somebody will have to play well to take the title off him.”

Price won the title behind closed doors last January and has since renewed acquaintances with the boo-boys who used to wind him up on the oche. But Taylor added: “He seems to be handling it all right. The crowd got on his back once or twice at the Grand Slam and he still won it.”

Among his other tips to do well at Ally Pally, Taylor warned that two-time champion Gary Anderson – beaten by the ‘Iceman’ in last year’s final – could sneak under the radar again.

“Gary’s getting older, his eyesight’s not the same, he has a young family and I know what he’s going through,” said Taylor.

“But he has a great record at Ally Pally and he always gets himself right for the big one.

“He’s not daft, he will be ready, he will peak at the right time.

“There are dark horses, who will be dangerous because their backs are against the wall, like Adrian Lewis and Daryl Gurney, who has slipped down the rankings.

“But Gary slipped under the radar a bit last year and went all the way to the final. You never write him off.”