The BetVictor World Matchplay

Posted: 22.12.16 in Darts Performance Centre Blog category

The action starts in Blackpool tonight!

The BetVictor World Matchplay kicks off tonight at 7pm and it is quality right from the off! First up is the Bully Boy – Michael Smith v Steve West. Hopefully Michael has recovered from being dumped out of the recent Players Championship event by our man Diogo Portela (sorry, had to get that in).

Smith, is an enigma! One minute brilliant, the next petulant and moody and not even the dream mentor of Gary Anderson seems to be able to keep in check. A Final and Semi Final in a couple of Euro events seem to have him back on track and a recent World Series call up will have boosted him.

As the odds suggest he should be too strong for Steve West, who appears to be struggling for a bit of form particularly on the doubles!

The Machine v The Demolition man should be good! Wade is struggling form wise (for his high standards anyway) and Webster buoyed by winning a recent floor event makes me feel we could have an upset here. Webster’s odds have been shortening all week and is now at a best price 11/5. It should be a cracker!

Gary Anderson V Christian Kist next. The 2012 Lakeside World Champion is also a bit of an enigma in my book. You don’t really get to hear a lot about him and yet he pops up at these Major events! Anderson is 1/12 on, similar odds to him and Peter Wright in the recent World Cup v Singapore – enough said!

Peter Wright v James Wilson rounds off the night. Snakebite is another huge odds on favourite 1/7 with The Jammy Dodger at 6/1. I hope this is going to be closer than the bookies think. On his day James Wilson is a brilliant player. I have seen him plenty of times during his time at the BDO including winning the first World Trophy in Blackpool. 

I was there that day when he beat Ross Montgomery in a great final - the dancing horse loved it too I seem to remember! Yep, it all happens in Blackpool!

Tips

I have to side with Webster and James Wilson with a 4.5 leg start on the handicap.

BetVictor World Matchplay
First Round Schedule of Play
Saturday July 22 (7pm)
4x First Round
Michael Smith  2/7 v Steve West 100/30
James Wade 4/9  v Darren Webster 21/10
Gary Anderson 1/12 v Christian Kist 9/1

Peter Wright 1/7 v James Wilson 6/1