Nigel Pearson's top tips for the Grand Slam

So the Black Country mouthpiece is clear on who he thinks will the runners and riders will be afterf play gets underway at Wolverhampton Civic Hall today.

The York-born voice, who lives in Wombourne, has covered the sport for the channel since 2007 and called at the first of the nine-year annual event, writes Craig Birch.

The 45-year-old will work both this year's semi-final and final, which he expects will be contested between Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.

Van Gerwen's came back from 10-7 down to win the European Championship last weekend, without allowing world champion Gary Anderson a dart for the match.

And Pearson reckons that turnaround in Belgium will give 'MvG' a never-say-attitude to claim his first Grand Slam title - and deny Taylor a seventh crown.

The city's Cleveland Arms pub felt 'the Power' last night as Taylor, Dave Chisnall and BDO world titlist Scott Mitchell attended a PDC Fans Forum, hosted by Pearson.

Saturday November 7

Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)

Groups E-H First Games

Rowby-John Rodriguez v Robbie Green (H)

Terry Jenkins v Jonny Clayton (G)

Robert Thornton v Geert De Vos (G)

James Wade v Michel van der Horst (F)

Keegan Brown v Mark Webster (F)

Gary Anderson v Larry Butler (E)

Phil Taylor v Martin Phillips (H)

Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Boulton (E)

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)

Groups A-D First Games

Kim Huybrechts v Steve West (A)

Jelle Klaasen v Steve Beaton (B)

Michael Smith v Wayne Jones (C)

Dave Chisnall v Mervyn King (D)

Adrian Lewis v Andy Fordham (C)

Michael van Gerwen v Mark Oosterhuis (A)

Ian White v Martin Adams (B)

Peter Wright v Scott Mitchell (D)

Sunday November 8

Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)

Groups E-H Second Group Games

Evening Session (7.30pm-11.30pm)

Groups A-D Second Group Games

Monday November 9 (7pm-11pm)

Groups E-H Final Games

Tuesday November 10 (7pm-11pm)

Groups A-D Final Games

Wednesday November 11 (7pm-11pm)

Second Round x4

Thursday November 12 (7pm-11pm)

Second Round x4

Friday November 13 (7pm-10pm)

Quarter-Finals x2

Saturday November 14 (7pm-10pm)

Quarter-Finals x2

Sunday November 15

Afternoon Session (1pm-4pm)

Semi-Finals

Evening Session (7pm-9pm)

Final

Format

Group Games - Best of nine legs

Second Round - Best of 19 legs

Quarter-Finals - Best of 31 legs

Semi-Finals - Best of 31 legs

He said: "Michael will be a better player, in the long run, because of what he had to do in Belgium. I think he'll win it here.

"There's not many who you'd back to get him out before the final, Dave Chisnall is the only one who might caught him serious problems. His scoring will be a match for anyone.

"Phil will be there or thereabouts, although he might come across Anderson on the way. Gary's capable of beating him, as the last worlds showed.

"Michael is a man in form, Group A should be his for the taking and I'd also expect Kim to go through. They'll be too much for Steve West and Mark Oosterhuis.

"I'm going for Ian White in Group B, along with Jelle Klassen. Ian is quality and it wasn't long ago we were talking about Jelle as the 'Cristiano Ronaldo of Darts.'

"It will great to see Martin Adams among them, I'm personally delighted and it's long overdue, but he's a huge unknown in this. Steve Beaton won't make it easy for any of them, either.

"It's also pleasing to see Wayne Jones back at the Civic oche in his hometown, he's got a talented lad first up in Michael Smith and he needs to win that game.

"Adrian Lewis is also in Group C and the shorter format doesn't suit him, but you'd still expect him to finish top, with Michael second. Full credit to Andy Fordham for getting here, though.

"Chisnall is in 'the group of death,' where all you can be certain of is that there will be big name casualities.

"Mitchell is going to have to live up to that world champion status. It's 'Chizzy' and Peter Wright for me, but Mervyn King won't be far off.

"The second half of the draw has got Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld, the only other guy involved to win the Grand Slam apart from Taylor, playing in the same group.

"That could be one of the best group games going and, if they hit form elsewhere, it could spell trouble for Larry Butler and Andy Boulton.

"Keegan Brown is in Group F and he came of age in this competition last year, but I think Mark Webster might just see him off for second place. I'd back James Wade to top the group.

"What Robert Thornton did in the Grand Prix reminded everyone that he's going to pick up a major title or two. He's in Group G.

"Terry Jenkins always threatens to topple the big names, but it never quite comes off for him. I'd expect him to finish second. It's going to be tough for Jonny Clayton and Geert de Vos.

"Taylor's almost certain to win Group H, so who is going to join him? Martin Phillips is a solid veteran, but this might be Robbie Green's moment. Too bad for Rowby-John Rodriguez."

Pearson moved to the area at age 13 with his family and went to school in Kingswinford. The married father-of-three has forged a stellar career in the media, for Sky and Talk Sport.

He operated alongside the late Sid Waddell in 2007, the one year that the PDC's Premier League was staged at the venue. A few months later, the Grand Slam was born.

He added: "I would imagine that Premier League visit played a part in them bringing the Grand Slam here. It's never been anywhere else, which is a credit to the city.

"It's a perfect venue and people come from all over the country to watch darts at the Civic."

Tickets for the Grand Slam, sponsored by Singha Beer, are still available by calling 0870 320 7000 or by visiting www.wolvescivic.co.uk.