The Grand Slam

Posted: 12.11.17 in Tournament Analysis Blog category

We take a look at the annual PDC v BDO Tournament!

The well-rounded darts fan looks at the Grand Slam of darts, which starts on Saturday, as an opportunity for the PDC and the BDO to share the same stage and celebrate the cross-code alliance of both forms of the game. But, really, we all know that what matters really is that it is PDC V BDO and whichever code you follow you want them to win, end of!

We have always rooted for the under-dog at the Darts Performance Centre due to our passion for grass roots darts so can the BDO gang cause some upsets with the first goal to come out the group stages?  Of course they can and we will take a look at who the “spoilers” are going to be.

Here is how the groups line up:

Group A
(1) Michael van Gerwen
Rob Cross
Joe Murnan
Ross Montgomery

Group B
(8) Raymond van Barneveld
Gerwyn Price
Steve Lennon
Jamie Hughes

Group C
(5) Phil Taylor
James Wade
Robbie Green
Peter Machin

Group D
(4) Daryl Gurney
Darren Webster
Mark Webster
Danny Noppert

Group E
(2) Peter Wright
Alan Norris
Corey Cadby
Glen Durrant

Group F
(7) Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting
Jeffrey de Zwaan
Scott Mitchell

Group G
(6) Mensur Suljovic
Michael Smith
James Wilson
Mark McGeeney

Group H
(3) Gary Anderson
Simon Whitlock
Berry van Peer
Cameron Menzies

The online betting sites are usually a good place to start to see how the bookies rate the chances of the BDO players. In Group 1 Ross “The Boss” Montgomery looks up against it in a group with MVG and Rob Cross. The bookies agree and he is a 5/1 shot to get out of the group!

Jamie Hughes in Group B has a chance., He is back from a tour of exhibitions in Canada and depending on which Barney turns up he has a chance. In Group C Peter Machin, the Australian and 2017 World Trophy Champion has Phil Taylor, James Wade and Robbie Green to contend with. He’s 7/1 to go through. Don’t write him off, he is lethal on the doubles and will relish playing on the big stage.

In Group D Noppie is back. He has taken a little bit of a back seat recently so his form is a little bit of a mystery. He is evens to qualify but I wouldn’t recommend that until we have seen him play at least 1 game. Group E Glen Durrant, the current Lakeside World Champion has Wright, Cadby and Norris to contend with, a group of death. Durrant can do it, he is a high-class dart player and if rumours are true he will be endeavouring to play on the PDC circuit next season.

Scott Mitchell returns to Wolverhampton in Group F and he will be looking to get off to a better start than he did last time out. Scotty Dog saved his best until last beating Adrian Lewis in the final game of last year’s group stage but it was too little too late and Scotty didn’t go through. He has Chizzy, Bunting and Jeffrey de Zwann so has a great chance and is evens to qualify!

In Group G current BDO number 1 Mark McGeeney is in another “group of death”. Mensur, James Wilson and Michael Smith have to be beaten to go through. He is 4^th favourite to prevail at 3/1 and that seems fair for this very tough assignment. Last but not least, Cameron Menzies! Cammy is a Scottish International and the expression “wearing your heart on your sleeve” does not do this lad justice.

His games are emotional rollercoasters and he has at times been accused of gamesmanship. I err on Cammy’s side that it is pure emotion and adrenalin kicking in but judge for yourself in his games v Gary Anderson, Simon Whitlock and Berry van Peer. Menzies is 4/1 to go through.

So 4 of the BDO stars are given a shout at qualifying: Hughes, Noppert, Durrant and Mitchell. I would probably omit Danny Noppert and add Machin to that list.

The action starts at 1pm on Saturday 11 November at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and it is live on Sky Sports!

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