LOCKUPTIPSTER brings us his thoughts on the first day of the Darts World Grand Prix from Dublin.
Looking at round one and it kicks off with Jamie Lewis facing Irish contender William O'Connor and the bookies are struggling to split the pair with firms having slightly different opinions, with the Irish homegrown star at 21-20 and Lewis at even money.
The pair have met twice, with this their first encounter on TV. Lewis has the double over O'Connor although both games were won by no more than two legs.
This game has the potential to go three sets – as both players let down could be on the double – and find that whoever seizes the throw first will have the advantage on the leg. As I see both as fairly similar scoring players double misses could be the key.
Bookies are of the opinion this could go two or three but Coral head on even money for over 10.5 legs in the game. If the sets can go 1-1 and there has been four legs in both sets this bet will win and the evens for me edges it ahead of the win.
Next up is a tip I fully expect to come in and fellow close associate @reddencarl is of this opinion too – this is for upcoming Michael Smith to hit more 180s than Gerwyn Price in their Round One encounter.
At 20-21 it's slightly the wrong side of evens although we know Smith when he has the momentum is difficult to stop. The pair have met once on TV, and that was the last TV major at the matchplay, where Smith had a bad day at the office.
The other three meetings were on the floor with 2-2 in the head to heads. I would personally leave the match betting alone but back at the matchplay in the win against Smith, Price hit just two maximums and showed to me he is a prolific treble hitter although the grouping could be tightened seeing plenty of treble fives and ones.
Next up and we fancy Peter Wright to rescue his head to head versus Dave Chisnall, with the betting edging Chizzy at 10-11 with Wright at 11-10 with Coral. The head to head sees seven wins for Chisnall, four for Wright and one draw back in the Premier League. The pair have traded victories in September 2015 both by 6-3 scorelines.
This format is different and Wright in my opinion is the better finisher on the doubles, although Dave can throw some pure genius darts at times. Wright is likely to contend with his double 16 as his start, with Chisnall on tops.
Part of me thinks whoever wins the first set will go on to win this 2-0 and the betting suggests this could go either two or three sets. I do think that Wright's strengths on his checkouts could be the determining factor on this and the 11-10 suits me for the world No.4.
Recommendations:
O'Connor/Lewis – over 10.5 legs – 1-1 Coral
M Smith most 180s vs. Price – 20-21 Betfair Sportsbook
P Wright to beat D Chisnall – 11-10 Coral
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
20/21 is a great price for the M Smith bet GL
I’m sure in there game at the matchplay price for the most 180s and it ruined my acca that day
Leaving that game alone because Smith seems to get nervous in TV games, on the floor though he is a top player.
Robert Thornton 66/1 to win outright. A dangerous player who I think has a great chance of winning this tournament. Premier league experience and played well against the big boys before. I think 66/1 is massive for a small stake on the THORN.
Huybrects bunting and Smith for me in a treble