
With some fair prices we are in for a great night, and hopefully some successful outcomes.
Order of play:
First Round
Steve Beaton v Andy Smith
Andy Hamilton v Mark Webster
Michael van Gerwen v Colin Lloyd
Wes Newton v Ronnie Baxter
James Wade v Colin Osborne
Adrian Lewis v Richie Burnett
Raymond van Barneveld v Ian White
Michael Mansell v Paul Nicholson
Steve Beaton v Andy Smith
With Steve Beaton pondering around the top 32, a good run could be significant for the bronze Adonis to remain inside the circle of the top 32. With players like Ian White forcing his way up the rankings, Steve cannot be complacent.
Best match odds
Beaton – 10/11 Coral
Smith – 11/10 Totesport
There is little value in the handicaps and two fairly close players in ability, means this could go either way. Skybet disagree and think the game will be settled in under 10.5 legs at 8/11. Skybet go evens that the game will go over 2.5 sets, which may be the safer bet. Beaton has beaten Smith on four of the five occasions and have mainly met at Championship Darts at Crondon Park.
We would love to see Beaton take this, but see over 2.5 sets as our recommended bet.
Andy Hamilton v Mark Webster
Mark Webster has shattered confidence at the moment and may struggle to hit a double. Hamilton has had the best year of his career and should be rock steady in winning this. In nine matches, Hamilton has beaten Webster seven times.
Best match odds
Hamilton – 8/13 Boylesports
Webster – 6/4 general
Hamilton is best priced 8/13 at Boylesports to beat 6/4 Webster with the same firm going 15/8 that Hamilton wins this to nil.
Michael van Gerwen v Colin Lloyd
What can we say about Michael Van Gerwen, he won a players championship and secured another appearance at the finals at Minehead at the end of November. He plays a veteran Lloyd that on his day is quite an unstoppable player. The former winner and number one in the world will be aware of Van Gerwen’s weaknesses and will have to work on this
Best match odds:
MVG – 4/6 Coral
Lloyd – 5/4 Totesport
The pair have met eleven times, with Gerwen winning three of those, including two of the last three. With the confidence of MVG, he has been seen as a Longshot outsider for the crown. We are confident he will deliver and will take the 4/6 on offer.
Wes Newton v Ronnie Baxter
The two locals from Fleetwood and Blackpool respectively meet again. Having played three times in 2012, Wes has won two of the three. Wes beat Ronnie in a weekend player’s championship and goes in as the 4/7 favourite with Skybet.
Best match odds:
Newton – 4/7 Skybet
Baxter – 6/4 Totesport
Newton will be fully focussed after missing out at the European Championship finals, with the belief he can do it again. It is difficult looking past Newton at 7/4 with William Hill. We will take Newton at 2-0 (7/4) and 2-1 (5/2) for an even money return stakes adjusted.
James Wade v Colin Osborne
James Wade has been unwell recently and is unknown on the form of the machine. No bet for this game
Adrian Lewis v Richie Burnett
We are big fans of Burnett who is a proper grafter. He plays Adrian Lewis, who knows he could snatch the world ranking from Taylor with a long campaign and the Power is de-railed in the first or second round.
Best match odds:
Lewis – 4/9 Skybet
Burnett – 9/4 Stan James
The pair have met three times all told, with Lewis winning all their encounters. Most recently in the World cup of Darts earlier in the year, Lewis won 4-3. The pair met in the competition back in 2004, where Lewis won 2-0. A repeat performance will see 11/8 Lewis wins 2-0 with Skybet and this gets the green light.
Raymond van Barneveld v Ian White
Barney has a tough opponent in Ian White in round one. He will know he will have to get out the blocks early, as White is building up a profile to enter the top 32 and could well do so by the time the World Championships are over.
Best match odds:
Barney – 1/2 Skybet
White – 13/8
The thing we need to establish is whether Ian White can win a set. We are finding this difficult to establish looking at the form guide. Over 1.5 180’s for Barney is a banker at 4/6 and presents some value.
Michael Mansell v Paul Nicholson
The crowd will be very hostile towards Nicholson, and this is how he likes it. We think Mansell with the crowd behind him should be capable of winning a few legs, and is 8/15 with BetVictor +1.5 sets
Best match odds
Nicholson – 8/13 Paddy Power
Mansell – 6/4 bookies
If you think Mansell can win, you will expect Nicholson to get a set on the board also, so it may pay to take out correct scores on the following:
Nicholson: 2-1 5/2 Skybet
Mansell: 2-1 7/2 Skybet
Alternatively over 2.5 sets is 11/10 with Paddy Power, although calculating the stake on the correct scores will return an accumulated odds return of 6/4 +. The only danger is if either player wins 2-0 and we feel if Nicholson really shows up, the danger is him winning 2-0.
We recommend Nicholson outright though overall.
Lockup Tipsters recommended selections:
• Hamilton – 8/13 Boylesports
• Beaton/Smith – Over 2.5 sets 1/1 Skybet (Or Beaton 2-1 11/4 Skybet, Smith 2-1 3/1 Skybet) Adjust stakes accordingly.
• Newton at 2-0 (7/4) and 2-1 (5/2) for an even + money return stakes adjusted.
• MVG – 4/6 Coral
• Lewis 2-0 11/8 Skybet
• Over 1.5 180’s for Barney 4/6 Skybet
• Nicholson 8/13 Paddy Power
John Gwynne picks –
First round matches – Night two
Beaton
Hamilton
Michael Van Gerwen
Wes Newton
Colin Osborne
Adrian Lewis
Barney
Paul Nicholson
Darts World Grand Prix
If the final checkout of any match is 100+, we will refund your losing betting-in-running match bets on that match
Darts World Grand Prix Day 1 Specials
Scottish Double – Both To Win: Thornton & Anderson – 13/8
English Double – Both To Win: Chisnall & Jenkins – 13/8
R.O.W Treble – All To Win: Whitlock, Huybrechts & Voort – 3/1
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