Follow @SBTSportBetting [Get Exclusive Tips on our Patreon, Ad-Free]
It’s here. It’s finally time. Looks to be a bit of a slow burner from looking at the schedule ,but hopefully there is a bet or 2 to be had.
Wayne Mardle v Jyhan Artut:
Mardle’s been in quite awful form for the last 12 months and he’s under enormous pressure this week, as he has a lot of money to defend from his semi final appearance 2 years ago. We have to confess to knowing nothing about his opponent other than he is a German debutant who plays a fair bit on the Pro Tour. However, it’s his first time on TV and often a player can freeze under the lights on stage. Mardle at 2/9 doesnt exactly scream must bet, but I think this could be a case of sizing up the German early on and if he looks to have settled, then Hawaii 501 may be worth a very small lay.
Recommendation: No Bet
Per Laursen v Christian Perez:
This match sees the only qualifier which this year is a best of 7 legs. The organisers have decided to have the winner of the prelim match play the R1 match on the same evening, which should mean they have a better chance to settle in the proper draw. Laursen is a regular at this tournament and has bags of experience in the PDC and BDO. His opponent is from the Phillippines and again is a complete unknown to us. Laursen should win, but 4/11 in a race to 4 v someone I’ve never seen would not immediately jump off the page.
Recommendation: No Bet
Dennis Priestley v Kevin McDine:
Potentially the game of the evening between the grandad of the PDC and one of a number of players who has massive potential, but has to knuckle down to the task. Dennis is bullish in a few articles that have been published recently and finally looks to be over his health problems. He will be hopeful of a good run, but definitely picked one of the harder R1 draws out there. McDine burst on to the scene 2 years ago with a great run at the GSOD but since then his career looks to have stalled. One good run with this prize money though can make a massive difference to his prospects and he has the potential. I personally think the prices look about right on this match with Dennis being 8/13 fav but the bet I like the look of here is the highest checkout. I see the potential of 4 or 5 sets here so the possibility of 18 legs+ and both players are capable of hitting high finishes. As such we will be backing a checkout over 115 in this match.
High checkout over 115.5: 5/6 @ Blue Square.
Recommend: 1.5 units @ 5/6.
Phil Taylor v Colin Monk:
Taylor kicks off the pursuit of his 15th title with an opener versus the veteran Colin Monk. If it’s possible, Taylor just gets better and better and though he usually isn’t at his best early, we cannot envisage anything other than a routine win here. Colin is on the PDC site saying he has to average 105 to compete, but I cannot see him averaging over 85 and 3-0 should be the bet. However 2/11 ain’t our sort of price, so we’ll sit back and watch a genius at work.
Recommendation: No Bet
Robert Thornton v Laursen/Perez:
Thornton opens up with a match against the winner of the earlier prelim match. Obviously, until his opponent is known, the bookies have no prices, but we’re hopeful that Thornton can win, as it sets up the potential of a revenge match versus Mardle in R2. After what happened last year, that is a match we would love to see.
Summary: Just the one bet for the opening night on the highest checkout in the Dennis Priestley match. Lots of matches to come, though and no rush to dive in, as the two weeks ahead will definitely offer the potential of some great prices.
