WE move on to another double session having seen a lengthy day yesterday where another six places will confirm themselves into the second round of the William Hill World Championship.
Across the two sessions will both kick off with preliminary games on a best of three set format.
Afternoon Session (12.30pm)
- Kenny Neyens v Jamie Lewis (P)
- Alan Norris v Kim Viljanen
- Kyle Anderson v Peter Jacques
- Jonny Clayton v Kenny Neyens/Jamie Lewis
The first game sees Belgian Kenny Neyens take on Jamie Lewis with the winner taking on Jonny Clayton at the end of the session.
Neyens has had a steady development tour in 2017 although the second half of 2017 has been sideways for the Belgian. Jamie Lewis is no stranger to the World Championship having appeared before and he should have the pedigree having entertained inside the top 32 of the PDC order of merit.
Lewis is a general 4/11 to win the game and 6/5 generally to win 2-0 or via the -1.5 set Handicap. Without discredit to Kenny the time and experience on stage will be invaluable.
Alan Norris takes on Finland’s Kim Viljanen in the next game in what could hold merit of mileage. Norris will be expected to sail this and with the finn’s excellence of getting through a tough qualifier.
However in this environment this will suit Norris in playing the circuit and once in the zone Norris has demonstrated how effective he can be. I considered two bets here, one of which was -1.5 maximums at 5/6 and the other -1.5 sets at 8/11. I have noticed that Norris can be a slow starter on his power-scoring whereas his checkout ability is effective I feel taking the 8/11 is a safer bet and cannot see Norris letting this go beyond four sets.
Kyle Anderson is just 8/13 to win by two or more sets in his encounter with Peter Jacques. Peter the Postman Jacques has featured on the challenge tour, pro tour floor events and some European tour events having won a couple of challenge tour events in 2017 as well as a last 16 at the pro tour finals a few weeks ago.
Kyle Anderson in punters eyes should not be troubled too much here although Jacques has proved he can tear up the script.
The winner of the prelim takes on a resurgent Jonny Clayton in the final game of the session where a battle of the Welsh could be the game to round off the afternoon.
Evening Session (7pm)
- Willard Bruguier v Cody Harris (P)
- James Wade v Keegan Brown
- Dave Chisnall v Vincent van der Voort
- Ian White v Willard Bruguier/Cody Harris
The opening evening game sees America’s Willard Bruguier take on New Zealand’s Cody Harris in a game where the American plays both steel and soft tip. We are more familiar with Cody Harris having seen him compete on the World Series as well as the World Cup of Darts.
Odds compilers sees Harris a general 4/9 with the American 7/4 and seem positive this game will go the distance with Willard 4/7 to win a set with Harris a general 6/4 for 2-0. The victor will take on Ian White at the end of the night.
James Wade takes on Keegan Brown where the pair are tied in 3-3 in the head to head. The Isle of Wight thrower has edged the machine in both 2017 meetings in pro tour events 6-5.
The 2014 World Youth Champion had a promising future having taken many scalps although his 2017 ranking performances suggest an under par reading for the season by all accounts.
2017 has been a tough year for James Wade with successive first round exits in the Matchplay and World Grand Prix and a last sixteen at the Grand Slam. The aldershot thrower turned some form around making the last eight of the pro tour finals last month with punters potentially taking on Wade to not sail through this.
Wade is 1/5 with Brown 7/2 with the handicap suggesting Wade will win the tie but not in straightforward fashion. From 8/13 -1.5 sets to 21/10 to win 3-0 is a big jump.
Wade has often recently had to win ugly and Brown has a real chance to cause a scalp here. Wade’s scoring is not as consistent in the maximum category but his checkouts are. Betway are pricing Wade to net over 110.50 checkout at 5/6 and that comes in more often than not. There is possible mileage in over 16.5 legs at 10/11 with Betfred and for this to win will require at least four sets but also a five leg set to bump up the leg tally.
In the next game sees Dave Chisnall take on Vincent van der Voort where both players have suffered back issues. Chizzy is 2/5 with the Dutchman at 12/5.
With the form of Dave Chisnall he often is a coupon wrecker over the time whether maximum hitting to winning matches and Voort’s form is somewhat questionable having been quieter on the TV screens and is a game I will avoid.
Recommendations
- J Lewis – 2-0 Prelim win 6/5 Betfred 1pt
- Norris -1.5 sets – 8/11 Betfair 4pts
- Wade – Over 110.50 checkout 5/6 Betway 1pt
Day 4 evening session
Bruguier vs Harris – Harris win
Wade vs Brown – Wade -1.5
Double 5/4 Bet365 **NAP**