THE second quarter final takes place where the winners of both ties will place each other on Saturday Nights Semi-Final
Alan Norris Vs Adrian Lewis – (Lewis leads 3-0)
Both players have seen off formidable opposition to get to this stage. Norris saw off Huybrechts and Chisnall in quality encounters. Lewis saw off Beaton in an entertaining contest followed by a maximum filled 11-8 win versus rising star Rob Cross.
Odds:
- Lewis – 4/9 William Hill
- Norris – 11/5 Boylesports
Although as the event draws to its conclusion the odds compilers sharpen up prices in respect of what has happened making it trickier to exploit any perceived market value.
Both players are capable of packing in the maximums and with Norris stalling to nail a maximum in his game with Huybrechts despite 15 140s and pocketed 14 140's with 9 maximums versus Chisnall.
Adrian Lewis showed some rust against Beaton but still managed 17 140's but only the single maximum. Versus Rob Cross Lewis's 140's were consistent and polished 9 of these attempts into a maximum.
In a game that may go some distance both players will be in reactive mode and see this game at 11/10 with the most maximums a fair proposition!
Michael van Gerwen Vs Phil Taylor – (Taylor leads 32-25)
The pair met in the final a year ago where MVG defeated Taylor 18-10 in a classic encounter. In the year that has passed including that final the pair have met seven times with Taylor the victor on four occasions. It could have been five in Shanghai in a recent World Tour where it looked like Taylor was 6-2 up and MVG stormed back to win 8-7 leaving Taylor wondering what just happened.
MVG will be looking to make it a second victory in a row on this stage after losing out to Taylor 18-9 in the 2014 final
Odds
- MVG – 2/11 – Betfred
- Taylor – 23/5 – Marathonbet
The indications on the 180 count would suggest it would be based around the 16 mark and the line has been set at 16.5 at evens over and 5/6 for fewer.
There are two ways of looking at this:
1: We take on board the comments MVG has said this week and expect him to cause some demolition on Taylor
2: We take on board recent results between the pair and result that Taylor up's the ante and the game is closer than the compilers suggest
The handicap gives Taylor between a 5-6 leg and ranges from 10/11 for a 5.5 leg head start to 4/6 for a 6.5 leg head start.
Although the most likely winner is MVG it cannot be discounted in Phil's game when they particularly play but will expect MVG to have learnt from the last couple of games that once he is in front he commands the next move.
I looked at leader after 4 and 6 legs and offers 21/20. MVG leads 3-1 after 4 to 5/6 to lead after 6 holds some weight to the argument.
Despite all markets being examined our suggestion goes on the match most 180s and oppose this game as MVG can switch on the maximums although is so fluent he does venture to the cover shots more often than not and think the 4/6 on this game is carrying too much on the shoulders of MVG versus a pair of natural hitters as we have known for years Taylor has a line on the bed he likes to follow for a maximum and will more often or not switch.
Recommendation
- Match with most 180s – Lewis v Norris 11/10 William Hill 1pt
