By Dave South
17 DECEMBER 2016 • 7:07AM
In a jam packed day ahead, eight games will take place, as the weekend sees out we will get a better idea of round two matches as the opening round progresses nicely.
Commenting on all eight matches will be exhaustive enough, so picking out the games where I believe there are good betting calls is the key.
I will look first at Terry Jenkins to beat Josh Payne at 4/5 with most firms.
Jenkins still has his moments but at 53 years of age and has confirmed he will go into semi-retirement into 2017.
Payne at 23 is a young vibrant player, who has enjoyed a sound 2016 notably making the last 16 at the Players Championship Finals last month.
The players have met three times, all at the Pro Tour and all at Barnsley with Terry edging this 2-1 with an aggregate score line of 17-12 legs in his favour.
With such a small sample to go on, Terry has enjoyed good memories on this stage including a semi-final back in 2011.
I think experience will count most on this stage and although the compilers make Terry the narrow favourite I tend to agree but do not see it being a cake-walk!
Following this game will be 31st seed John Henderson rocking over the Ally Pally stage with his unorthodox throwing action.
With the winner facing a second round clash against Gary Anderson, I see Henderson having too much for an out of sorts Andrew Gilding who has gone off the map with results and form over the past 18 months.
Elsewhere, bookies find it difficult to call the Cristo Reyes match against Dimitri van den Bergh and if I was to make a call here would side with Bergh on the narrowest of margins. I also see Bunting bagging the most 180s versus Darren Webster.
Today’s recommendation
Terry Jenkins to win – 4/5 BetVictor
John Henderson to win – 10/11 Hills
Prices correct at time of publication
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