When the Scot is at his best, there is little anyone can do to stop him - as he proved when winning the World Championship at the start of the year
World champion Gary Anderson is in form and worth backing at the European Championship in Belgium this week.
The Flying Scotsman had not lifted a title since the Premier League in May, but that run ended with a superb performance away from the TV cameras at two Players Championship events in Coventry.
He went out to Adrian Lewis in the first despite hitting nine 180s in 10 legs, so there was not a lot wrong with his game there.
He won the second, meanwhile, by beating the likes of James Wade, Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall along the way.
When Anderson is at his best, there is little anyone can do to stop him – as he proved when winning the World Championship at the start of the year.
That triumph at Alexandra Palace was preceded by a run of stunning form which he could be about to replicate.
In November 2014, the world No. 2 won a Coventry Players Championship before going on to win his next two tournaments: the Players Championship finals and the World Championship.
His victory in Coventry again this year could be the start of more success for the superb Scot.
Anderson has some big names in the bottom half of the draw with him, but none are really at their best.
Phil Taylor, James Wade, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld are all potential opponents before the final, but Anderson would be favourite against any of them at this stage.
He probably has more to worry about from the likes of Jelle Klaasen and Michael Smith, who are playing much better.
Michael van Gerwen is favourite to triumph and he does have a more favourable draw, but he is without a win in six tournaments and going through something of a lean spell for his high standards.
The Dutchman will still face tough tests against high-calibre players like Chisnall, Peter Wright and Robert Thornton lurking in his half and at just 15/8 he represents very little value.
The world champion looks the much more appealing option at 6/1.
