The quarter finals of the Grand Slam of Darts get underway on Friday when the matches in the top half of the draw are played out at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. After a week of relative short course darts so far the format is extended to the best of 31 legs from here on in so the tournament takes on a real major feel now.
Michael van Gerwen vs Brendan Dolan
The last eight begins with what looks like something of a mismatch between the best player in the world right now and a man who is looking to get back towards his best heading into the World Championship next month.
The two have met on 18 previous occasions with Dolan winning just three of those matches and one of those was over the best of seven at the World Cup a couple of years ago but generally he does keep it close although most of their meetings have been when Dolan was on the up not the slide.
The handicap in this match is 9.5 legs which if you pushed me I would say van Gerwen would cover but there isn’t a lot of margin for error in it. A couple of missed doubles at the wrong time or a three leg burst from Dolan and it would be struggling so I’m reluctant to take that. I don’t like any of the side markets either as you would think MVG will struggle for a rhythm.
Peter Wright vs Phil Taylor
The match of the night is the second one and if their World Series Finals meeting earlier in the month is anything to go by this could be a real cracker. We should note that Peter Wright had the crowd behind them that night but we should also recognise that he probably would have won that match anyway.
In all this will be the 29th time they will meet and the seventh time this year. Taylor has three wins and a draw from their six matches so far but all bar one have gone to the final two legs which could mean we’re in for a tight match.
Both men have cruised through the tournament so far but this will be a real battle for both. I don’t think there is much between them at the minute so I’m expecting a tight match. I’m not sure what the reason is but Taylor hasn’t looked his usual self this week and now that Wright knows he has the beating of him I fancy the Scot is good value to win a lengthy battle here.
Tips
WON – Back P.Wright to beat P.Taylor for a 3/10 stake at 2.88 with Boylesports
Back him here:
Back P.Wright vs P.Taylor – Over 27.5 legs for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Betfred
Back it here:
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