"It could be one of the best finals": Mardle previews Van Gerwen-Smith clash in PDC World Darts Championship Final

Despite Michael van Gerwen heading into the final of the PDC World Darts Championship as the favourite for the title, Wayne Mardle has tipped Michael Smith to give him a better game than in the 2019 rout for the Green Machine.

Especially after the major floodgates have now opened for Smith with his Grand Slam win and a big prediction is there of being up there with the greatest finals of all time.

"He [Smith] is a better player than 2019," Mardle said as per Sky Sports. "I believe that. He is now a major champion and champions find a way. The way he has come through some of his games was very, very good.

"He [Smith] has been in a lot of positions and now he is in the ultimate position and that is the chance to be World Champion. I think with the way they have both scored this evening, tomorrow [Tuesday] could be a double-hitting competition.

"If you take Michael Smith from the Joe Cullen win and tonight's win, that can trouble Van Gerwen but he has to pick his time. The time has to be right. I thought there was two (who could stop Van Gerwen) at the start. I thought there was Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith and one of them is in the final.

"The irony of it all is that, Michael Smith has waited all this time for a final then wins two on the bounce. I think it could be one of the best finals, fingers crossed, that we have ever seen."