THE quarter finals will be finalised as the bottom half of the draw takes shape and Peter Wright remains the hot favourite to win the title!
Order of play:
- Gerwyn Price 19/20 Vs Benito van de Pas11/10 (Players tied 3-3)
- Mensur Suljovic 4/11 Vs Steve West 14/5 (Mensur leads 2-1)
- Richard North 5/2 Vs Simon Whitlock 2/5 (Richard leads 2-0)
- Peter Wright 2/7 Vs Mervyn King 7/2 (Peter leads 11-5)
Gerwyn Price Vs Benito van de Pas
Two of the younger stars will get a chance to make the quarter final, and with Price having made the UK Open final back in March should have enough to see off Big Ben in this last 16 clash!
Layers edge Price by the narrowest of margins with one or two compilers split on the outcome. Coming into the game Price certainly made some impact over the summer reaching a semi final at the World Series, as well as the World Cup final back in June. Benito in comparison bar a European Tour semi final last month had experienced some flat form having exited early on in events dating back to early May.
The bet I really like here is a little unorthodox but William Hill are offering a special #yourodds bet on NO 180 in the first two legs. With the opening three darts potentially up to a 170 start this can trim the chance of a maximum considerably. Of course on the other hand, they could open with a double 1 and are starting from 499, thus essentially a full leg, dependent on how far their opponent is.
On their last game, Benito did not register a maximum until after leg two, and despite Gerwyn hitting one in his opening leg we did not see another in the set from the Welshman.
At 21/20 this has a fair chance of landing, especially if both players struggle to get going.
Mensur Suljovic Vs Steve West
Suljovic survived an early set deficit to overcome Ian White in his opener. Mensur was fairly effective throughout his match and has Steve West, an ideal opponent for his pace in the second round. Steve West was well backed to beat Wade and did not disappoint.
West, who had stated on social media about an anniversary milestone overcame this emotion to beat the machine, who suffered another first round exit and struggling for form. West who knocked out Taylor last year at the same first round stage has nothing to lose and can play Mensur at his own game.
The pair have met only three times, with Suljovic on the slight edge. Odds compilers are giving nothing away with their general 1/3 odds on the Austrian with West out at 14/5 with a competitive bookmaker for Darts that is Bwin.
This is a game, where I have absolutely no joy in selecting a bet as I like both competitors and pushed for an outcome, the West outcome of over 104.50 checkout does appeal, but only at 5/6 generally.
Richard North Vs Simon Whitlock
Richard North is going places in Darts and overcame a patchy Mark Webster in their opener. Whitlock survived match darts against Christian Kist with bottle to take 108 out with double 16 to progress. North comes into this game as the likely underdog at 5/2 with Whitlock a solid 2/5 for short price backers.
The Aussie has the experience on the TV stage, which will give him some edge. In addition, Whitlock's checkout ability has assisted in his elevation to the top four just a short while ago.
North has enjoyed a sound year in the PDC which includes a recent pro-tour final back in August, but Whitlock on this stage as long as he keeps composure should win this, without conceding more than one set.
Peter Wright Vs Mervyn King
The two good friends square off in what could be an epic game. both players know each others game inside out, although Wright in the last four years has had the better of King 8-2 including winning the last six. Wright is chalked up short at just 2/7 with Bet365 with King at 7/2 with Boylesports.
King got through his game versus Ronny Huybrechts with some ease 2-0 with Peter Wright getting through by the skin of his teeth with Bunting missing two match darts on double 16.
Wright should win the maximum count on the night, having pocketed four in his win over Bunting. King took just one, and is not the maximum hitter we have known him to be. At 8/11 with Sunbets is a fairly strong bet to take with Betfred chalking the maximum handicap at -1.5 at just 6/5.
I do expect Wright to come out on top to make the last eight. However, King has plenty in the tank to bag at least a set and Bunting demonstrated this in the opening round. From 2/7 to win by any method, you can get Wright to win but concede a set or more at 11/10, which is a shade of value on the basis of their correct score combined percentage would make this outcome around evens.
Recommendations
- NO 180 in legs 1 and 2 (Price/Pas) 21/20 William Hill (#yourodds) 1.5 pts)
- Wright/King – Wright to win but both to win a set – 11/10 Betfred 1.5pts
- Whitlock -1.5 sets to beat North – 11/10 Unibet and 888sport 2pts
