PDC World Matchplay 2018 preview: Final, Gary Anderson vs Mensur Suljovic

One thing we know is that the World Matchplay will feature a new name among the winners' roster. Either Anderson will claim his ninth major title, and fifth in the PDC. Or Suljovic will take his first major, almost two decades since he debuted in one. The Winter Gardens has seen many a great final in the previous 24 editions of this tournament. It would be in keeping with this edition if the final is right up there with the best.

UK Open champion Anderson came into the World Matchplay off the back of a shock defeat to in the Shanghai Darts Masters. His opponent, Stephen Bunting, was full of confidence. With their first round clash in the balance, the Flying Scotsman found a new gear, and dragged himself into the second round. Then came a pair of major tests of his quality. Despite playing well, the world number four found himself Raymond van Barneveld. A 104.17 average helped him to turn that around. After that came the game of games. Anderson's nine-darter, and the second 141 checkout that followed. Joe Cullen's 170 finish. The , and the fateful fly that intervened. An unbearably tense 36th and final leg. The quarter-final had it all. But it was Anderson who prevailed, again. Jeffrey de Zwaan put in another impressive showing in the , and even that couldn't stop the Flying Scotsman in his track. Anderson now goes into the final off the back of the highest average of the tournament, a whopping 106.06. Any momentum he lacked coming to Blackpool has been restored. Suljovic kicked things off in the best possible fashion. He fought off both and his own demons, ending a previously unbroken run of defeats against the Bronzed Adonis. Finishes of 124, 120 and 112 all added some sparkle to the showing. The second round meeting with Ian White was a closer-run affair. Leading 9-8 and under pressure, the Gentle regained a ruthless streak to take the next two legs and the win. Throughout, Suljovic has given the impression that he could be playing better - his opponents have certainly left much to be desired. That's true of his quarter-final and semi-final opponents. cut a frustrated figure, but never let Suljovic break away until the latter stages of the game. Peter Wright's first two visits, a flurry of fives and calamities, really set the tone for the. Snakebite did force his way back into things, yet once again Suljovic had sneaked clear before his opponent had realised how dire their situation really was.

And so that question comes around again. Gary Anderson or Mensur Suljovic?
Anderson is the clear and obvious favourite. The prolific, brutal scoring is something Suljovic hasn't come close to matching in the Matchplay. Then there's the pedigree - four PDC major titles to date - and the experience of playing in big games. This would be two PDC majors in a row for him.
Yet Suljovic also has experience to fall back on. Recently, he's been winning trophies on the big stage. Perhaps the momentum is on his side. And if Anderson has struggled in one part of his game, it's pressing home an advantage. If the Austrian can steal legs against the throw, he'll keep himself in contention.
There have been a lot of stunning games in what has been a riveting tournament overall. If there's one prediction we all want to come true, is that Anderson and Suljovic will close things out in style.
Click here for more information about the World Matchplay. The prize fund breakdown for this tournament can be found here.