Sunday 27 July 2014 17:18, UK
Michael van Gerwen will have to overcome 17-time champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor if he is to win the World Matchplay Darts for the first time in his career.
The World No1 beat Australian Simon Whitlock 17-13 to set up a clash with Taylor after The Power defeated in-form Scot Gary Anderson 17-15 at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday night.
Van Gerwen's record against Taylor suggests he faces a difficult task, with 'The Power' leading 24 -11 in the head-to-head stakes between the two men.
But the last eight meetings between the pair have seen each man win four times and van Gerwen will take confidence from his 4-0 win over Taylor in the PDC World Cup of Darts last month.
The Dutchman has yet to find his consistent best at this tournament. He made hard work of defeating Steve Beaton 10-7 in the first round and fell three legs behind early on to Dave Chisnall before eventually beating the 33-year-old in the quarter finals.
He averaged 99.75 in his semi-final against Whitlock and will likely have to improve upon that if he is to win the title, with Taylor maintaining a 105.27 average in his victory over Anderson.
You can watch Michael van Gerwen against Phil Tayor in the World Matchplay Darts final on Sky Sports 1 from 6:45pm
