Darts World Grand Prix Preview

Phil Taylor is the favourite for the World Grand Prix Darts which gets underway Monday and lasts all week. The Power is a huge price as he currently stands at 9/4 (BetVictor/BWin). Taylor has won ten of the 14 previous runnings of this event including three of the last four. The format seems to favour Taylor as players are required to commence and finish each leg on a double (including the option of a bull). Although the very short early rounds do make him vulnerable (in three of the four years he has not won this he has gone out in the first round) he is still the man to beat. In round one Taylor takes on the youngster Michael Smith which he should progress through. After that he will come up against either Mark Walsh or Robert Thornton neither of whom should hold too much panic for Taylor. It is true that Taylor is not the player he once was however he is still the best player in the game and at 9/4 this looks a price too good to avoid.

Others expected to be in the mix in the are Adrian Lewis who is the second seed and is currently 9/1 (general). Lewis has not been playing well recently and has a tough first rounder against Richie Burnett and a possible second rounder against Michael Van Gerwen (who is in great form). Simon Whitlock is a 14/1 (BWin-note BWin do not pay EW) chance to lift the trophy. The Australian is in great form with recent wins in the European Championship and a PDC Players event in Barnsley and must be respected. Whitlock though is in the Taylor side of the draw and also faces a tricky looking first rounder with Justin Pipe before taking on either Kim Huybrechts or Kevin Painter.

I like the look of James Wade at 11/2 (betfred) to make the final or 7/1 (BetVictor) in betting without Taylor. Wade should have too much for Colin Osborne in round one and either Paul Nicholson or Michael Mansell in round two. The Machine is a two time event winner who loves playing in Dublin and he could work his way into form in this event. We mention earlier Michael Van Gerwen and I like the look of him at 5/1 (general) to win his quarter. Lewis has not been in the best of form while the Dutchman has been picking up trophies in Players Championship events if he can transfer some of this Darts to the big arenas then he could be the man to beat.

In terms of opening rounds bets I like the look of Brendan Dolan at 15/8 (sportingbet) to see off Gary Anderson. The Northern Irishman reached the semi-finals for the European Championship beating Phil Taylor in the last eight. Dolan is also a fan of this format having reached the Final here last year. Anderson is not having a good time of things in 2012 and may be a little rusty having been suspended for the European Championship. Throw in the fact the Scotsman is often known for his problems hitting a double and we have all the makings of a great bet. Another player who might be worth siding worth is Michael Mansell who is 13/8 (bet365) to see off Paul Nicholson. These two met on the European Tour in Stuttgart in early September and Mansell came out on top there. The Australian Geordie looked off his darts when being hammered by Andy Hamilton in the European Championship recently and the crowd will certainly not be on his side as he takes on the Northern Irishman Mansell.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Taylor to win the tournament 9/4 (BetVictor/BWin)
SILVER: Dolan to beat Anderson 15/8 (sportingbet)
BRONZE: Wade to reach the final 11/2 (betfred)

Go To bet365

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09/10/2012     © Frixo 2024