PDC European Darts Championship

The PDC European Darts Championship gets under-way this weekend in Mulheim, Germany and with all the top players in action it`s sure to be another exciting event. Whilst it may not be the biggest event on the PDC darting calendar, all the players are looking to get into form ahead of the World Championships in two months time and also gain the psychology advantage over their opponents.

Going in to the tournament as favourite is Dutchman Michael van Wenger, who proved why he is currently the world number one by claiming the 2014 World Grand Prix in Dublin recently and it`s hard to look beyond him at 9/4 with sky bet to claim another title this week. Having said that, it`s impossible to go in to a televised PDC darts event and not mention Phil Taylor, who is 3/1 with bet365 to go all the way in a tournament he has previously won four times. However, Taylor has not reached the final of this event since 2011 and found himself out of the recent World Grand Prix at the quarter-final stage, losing 3-1 to James Wade. The tournament in Dublin was a welcome return to form for Wade, who had been struggling with his game over the last couple of years but has recently been showing signs of being back to something like his best. Any player who can defeat Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor, Robert Thornton and Andy Smith in the same week needs to be taken seriously and Wade is 12/1 with betfred to continue that run of form and lift the European title.

Scotland`s Gary Anderson is another man who has been playing well of late and is priced at 14/1 with SkyBet to go all the way in Germany. However, Anderson`s tempting price may be due to the fact that he is in the same half of the draw as Taylor, with the pair due to meet at the quarter-final stage. If they do meet, whoever comes through that match should have the confidence to at least make the final.

Looking further down the list and Australian Simon Whitlock is a name that stands out, despite having to play Raymond van Barneveld in the first round. Barneveld has been in poor form recently, going out in the second round of the World Grand Prix to Mervyn King, having been in a strong position early on. The Dutchman`s odds of 28/1 with bet365 show just where his game is at right now and Whitlock is 10/11 favourite for their first round match with BetVictor and 22/1 with the same firm to go on and win the event.

In the same half of the draw as Whitlock is Peter Wright, a player who has been coming back into form of late and is available at 25/1 with ladbrokes to walk away with the title this week but does have the world number one, van Gerwen in his half of the draw.

As an addition to the standard winner markets, the nine dart finish market is also worth a look this week. With two players, Robert Thornton and James Wade hitting nine dart finishes in the same match at the World Grand Prix, the 13/8 for there to be another this week has to be worth a punt.

Go To bet365

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24/10/2014     © Frixo 2024