The first set of quarter-finals take place tonight as two lucky winners will go on to compete in the semi-Ffinals of the World Matchplay on Saturday night.
Tonight’s order of play:
Daryl Gurney vs. Mensur Suljovic – Gurney leads 5-4 (players tied 2-2 in 2017)
Peter Wright vs. Darren Webster – Wright leads 9-2 (Wright has won last five spanning back to May 2014)
Daryl Gurney vs. Mensur Suljovic
Daryl Gurney defeated Gary Anderson twice in 10 days after the double world champion was given a great game by the Northern Irish chucker!
Gurney really stepped up to the echelons of Anderson who with a 105.17 average was not enough in a credible 11-9 defeat to Gurney.
Heading back to 2012 this event was the kickstart of the pathway that led MVG to greatness and near invincibility. Could this be the continuation of something good for Superchin who is the 4/6 favourite for the tie with Suljovic marginal underdog around 5/4.
Taking on the basis that Gurney is more of the paced player versus the more deliberate style of Suljovic the 180 market is the starting point. Gurney is 1/8 to win the 180 count.
Superchin has netted 15 in his two games, which were both paced games compared to Mensur’s six. From the 1/8 to win by one or more layers take the opinion Daryl should win by a margin of five.
Gurney’s leg maximum average is 0.375 180s per leg (40 played). Suljovic’s average is 0.1935 per leg over 31 legs.
Over the favoured total legs of 27.5, rounded up to 28 based on performance counts each player should get
DG – 10.50
MS – 5.42
The bookie line at -4.5 there is no value at 5/6 for Gurney as it’s a tall line to cover.
I am finding this game difficult to call unless a custom bet on Sky Bet, Hills or BetVictor appears check my blog. But on balance I wish both players the very best of luck.
Peter Wright vs. Darren Webster
Darren Webster has been one of the stars of the event and has a chance to make the Matchplay semi-finals against the winner of the other game on Saturday.
Wright would have been smiling to have seen Gurney edge out Anderson on Tuesday but in his own mind will see any next opponent as a threat and this starts with Webster.
Webster is an underdog around the 5/1 mark with Wright red hot around 1/7. Based on this price Wright has been awarded a 5.5 leg handicap to overcome so must win 16-10 or better to win this is 11/10 with the sponsors.
The market that has shone the radar is the maximum markets. Wright has uncharacteristically netted just five maximums in 33 legs of darts. His opponent Darren Webster has bagged eight in 42 legs.
Fewer than 14 maximums is possible with Paddy Power at 5/6. Wright individually is no higher than 4/5 with Ladbrokes to hit fewer than eight in the game and 11/10 for eight or more.
Collectively Wright has not got his set up right but will he in time for the game? 4/5 Ladbrokes says he falls short on the maximums.
Recommendations
Under 7.5 180s (Wright) – 4/5 Ladbrokes 1pt
lovethedartsmag.com 