By Dave South
28 DECEMBER 2016 • 9:32AM
The business end of the second round continues as four more second matches are decided over two sessions, with the bookmakers having firm favourites for four.
For Wade, Klaasen, Wright and Huybrechts pays just over 13/10 with Marathonbet with all four outsiders winning at a handsome 549/1!
Kim Huybrechts toes the oche first and faces Germany’s Max Hopp. Huybrechts is 4/11 generally with Hopp out at 5/2.
Hopp showed up Vincent van der Voort in the opening round, as Huybrechts, chasing a return to the Premier League sailed past James Wilson with a top end 98 average and a terrific 64.29% checkout conversion.
Huybrechts has the advantage over Hopp in the last two meetings, with the last encounter whitewashing the German superstar. The odds are fair in the view of experience, form and expectation.
I did look at the Huybrechts handicap but at 4/6 – 8/13, which is a little short in my view. However the maximum market may appeal, with most firms at 10/11 for seven or more 180s from the Belgian.
I feel comfortable enough with Huybrechts winning this, and will double up with another game to create a nicer priced double.
Steve Beaton will look to “beat” the odds and upset Aldershot left hander James Wade, a multiple time major winner.
Beaton had a resurgence of form over 2016 and is a general 4/1 to get the job done. Wade is the overwhelming 2/9 favourite.
Wade has beaten the Bronze Adonis with four wins from the last five and is suited to this format having made the latter stages on numerous occasions.
A market which was identified as a value bet was Beaton to land four or more maximums, which Betway had chalked up at 11/10.
This has since eased into 4/6 with the industry best price now at 8/11. I expect this game to be quite the entertainment especially for the purest of darting fans!
In the last game of the afternoon sees Jelle Klaasen face off against Brendan Dolan in a game, where the super fast Dutch maestro will hopefully bring home our double bet. Before we announce this, some background into the game.
Klaasen has come through on the last three meetings where all have been on the stage and expect Klaasen to be too good for Dolan, who saw off Christian Kist 3-1 in the last round.
Klaasen like Huybrechts is looking for contention for the Premier League and will be looking hopeful in respect of a win here to see himself in the third round.
Klaasen on a race to four should outscore the Irishman and by at least two sets. I find it difficult to look past the compilers prices and the -1.5 set market is effective alone at 8/13 with Sportingbet.
Today’s recommendations
Huybrechts win and Klaasen -1.5 sets – 2.12 Marathonbet (2.09 bet365/William Hill)
Prices correct at time of publication
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