The World Matchplay arrives at the semi-final stage and I’m happy to announce all Sky TV subscribers can benefit from watching this on Sky Sports Mix on channel 121.
Last night’s bet on match to have most 180s ended in a tie, which meant our bet was deemed void under the Hills rules on betting without the tie price being quoted.
The final four are here but only two of them can proceed to the final on Sunday.
Daryl Gurney vs. Peter Wright – 2/1 – 7/15 (Wright leads 9-3)
Gurney ended a losing streak of seven spanning back to mid-February 2016 by defeating Wright 8-7 two weeks ago at the US Masters in a tight game taking four of the final five legs to beat Snakebite.
Gurney’s form has been so impressive a well known professional gambler contacted me to inform me regarding a Gurney 100/1 price for the World Championship each-way and managed to get an acceptable sum on the outcome.
Gurney is 2/1 against to Wright at 2/5 – 4/9 in places and 7/15 at Marathonbet.
Route to the semi-finals
Gurney:
Last 32 – Benito van de Pas 11-9
Last 16 – Gary Anderson 11-9
Last 8 – Mensur Suljovic 16-13
Summary
Legs played – 59
180s scored – 28
Average 180 per leg – 0.47457 per leg
Highest checkout -146
Wright:
Last 32 – James Wilson 10-8
Last 16 – Cristo Reyes 11-4
Last 8 – Darren Webster 16-12
Summary
Legs played – 61
180s scored – 10
Average 180 per leg – 0.16393 per leg
Highest checkout – 147
Looking at the markets immediately our eyes turn to the 180 markets and no doubt Gurney is the 4/9 FAV here with Wright 100/30 and 10/1 the tie.
Superchin is 1/1 to win the 180 count by three or more which on the basis of this week evens is a fair price.
Alternatively, Gurney is solid at 1/2 to beat Wright with a 5.5 leg handicap and I really like this with Bwin in comparison Bet 365 are 4/11 for the same market.
Wright has been nailing the scoring as we know him but something is not quite right and it something with Wright’s darts.
Gurney on the maximum count is appealing and the highest checkout overall which is 140.50 at 5/6 which is not worth touching.
Phil Taylor vs. Adrian Lewis – 2/5 – 11/5 (Taylor leads 53-17)
The pair are 1-1 in 2017 having traded victories in the Premier League round robin.
Route to the semi-finals
Lewis:
Last 32 – Steve Beaton 10-7
Last 16 – Rob Cross 11-8
Last 8 – Alan Norris 16-13
Summary
Legs played – 65
180s scored – 17
Average 180 per leg – 0.2615 per leg
Highest checkout – 144
Taylor:
Last 32 – Gerwyn Price – 10-5
Last 16 – Raymond van Barneveld 11-3
Last 8 – Michael van Gerwen 16-6
Summary
Legs played – 51
180s scored – 16
Average 180 per leg – 0.3137 per leg
Highest checkout – 151
Taylor is a firm 2/5 to make ‘one more’ final and can do this in style by beating Adrian Lewis.
Taylor has given away a 3.5 leg handicap and the scoreline versus MVG was superb as Taylor blessed the crowd at the end.
It was for me a beautiful moment seeing Taylor show some emotion to the crowd who cheered him throughout and raised goosebumps at the end.
Lewis despite the 180 leg average difference is 5/6 with Paddy Power to win the maximum count and can do with a back and forth motion on the oche.
Lewis has admitted he has been commuting to the venue and was caught in bad traffic for his last game.
William Hill have one bet which appeals is for Taylor to win the opening two legs. If Taylor can emulate what he did over MVG and Barney at 9/4 you feel the crowd are going to be right behind Taylor as motivation and Lewis with his back issue may take time to get motoring.
Recommendations
Gurney -2.5 180s – 1/1 Sky Bet 2pts
Taylor to win opening 2 legs – 9/4 William Hill 1pt
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