2012 World Match Play Darts Betting Info
The 2012 World Match Play darts betting will get under-way on July 21st, with the biggest names in the sport coming together for one of the great darts events. This is held at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, and this will be the 19th edition of the popular event, organised by the PDC. The top 16 in the PDC along with sixteen ProTour qualifiers will be in Blackpool for the big event, and each of the 16 seeds will start off a first round match against one of the qualifiers. This is a straight legs knockout format, but the difference here is that in order for a player to progress, they must win by two clear legs. There will be no deciding legs, and if the match is resting at 9-9, they keep playing on until someone goes two legs clear, just like a final set decider in tennis would. The action starts on July 21st, and the final will be played on the 29th.
2012 World Match Play Darts Betting Favourite and Defending Champion
Little surprise about the man who is defending champion here. This is one of the tournaments which Phil Taylor has made his own, and The Power goes as defending champion and favourite. Phil Taylor has won 12 of the 18 editions so far, including the last four in a row. So he is going to be the one to beat. He is still looking for a really big win this season though, with only the Premier League and the World Cup of Darts of note this season so far. He enjoys his time at the Blackpool Winter Gardens and is such a strong bet. Looking at the draw ahead, he should have easy passage to the final if he is on top of his game. In his quarter there is possibly only Andy Hamilton to be concerned with, while in his half of the draw, the next highest seed is Scotland’s Gary Anderson who hasn’t been in top form. So seeing Phil Taylor in full flight in the 2012 World Match Play darts is likely to happen. This is a quick paced race to the following rounds, and that is where Taylor excels, just like in the Premier League format. Taylor’s last six titles in this event have all been won with a three dart average of over 100. Taylor is trading as favourite at 13/8 with online bookmaker BetFred.
Other Contenders
Double world champion Adrian Lewis should naturally be a big contender here. He is perhaps, the best player in the field in terms of turning up and producing rapid, heavy fire. His inconsistency still is a bit of a problem at times, but his talent is top notch. He goes as the second seed, but is in the bottom half of the draw which is packed with potential finalists, so his job is going to be harder than Taylor’s in reaching the final. Still, in with a pretty even shot at the final and therefore a decent shot.
So too is England’s James Wade. He has been the nearly man of the World Match Play darts over the event years, reaching four of the last six finals, but managing just one win. That came in 2007 when he beat Terry Jenkins in the final. In his other three finals he has gone up against Phil Taylor, including last year, when he really has not had a look in at all. Had a surprisingly decent Premier League season, an event in which he generally falls a little bit flat, but he has a strong enough track record in this event to make a nuisance of himself. A tricky quarter though with Simon Whitlock and Kevin Painter floating around.
Simon Whitlock, aka The Wizard could be a decent proposition at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. Whitlock looked pretty handy and consistent through the Premier League season and is good enough to make a quarter final appearance, where he would likely run into James Wade. So not a bad option on him, and he did make the semi final in 2010. The darts world is just waiting for him to step up and take a PDC Premier event like this. Even though he is in decent form, he is still one of the chasing pack really behind the other contenders.
Raymond van Barneveld, who has taken a European Tour title this season, could be a dangerous floater in the bottom half of the draw. He is though in the same quarter as Adrian Lewis and you would back the Englishman there really. Wes Newton also is trading well, and could be the biggest benefactor in the top half of the draw, should Phil Taylor slip up along the way to the semi finals.
Best Outside Bet
Well, it has to be Gary Anderson here. He never found his footing the Premier League really, and wasn’t helped with the death of his father disrupting things. He just hasn’t been at his all powerful best in 2012 at all, but did fire off a nine dart finish in June at the UK Open. However, he lost in the fourth round there, not really looking as if he would take the title. However, he is a class act when he pulls it all together and a heavy scorer. Is his form and confidence there? No, that is why he is an outside bet at 16/1 with online bookmaker BetFred.
Latest 2012 World Match Play Darts Betting Prices at Online Bookmaker BetFred
Phil Taylor 13/8, Adrian lewis 8/1, Dave Chisnall 9/1, James Wade 10/1, Simon Whitlock 10/1, Raymond van Barneveld 10/1, Gary Anderson 16/1, Wes Newton 20/1
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