The latest European Tour event takes place this weekend when the Austrian Darts Open gets played out in Vienna in what should be a really good tournament. We are starting to close in on the next major event in Blackpool so everyone should be tuned up nicely for this event as preparation for that one.
Recent Winners
2016 – Phil Taylor
2014 – Vincent van der Voort
2013 – Michael van Gerwen
2012 – Justin Pipe
The Format
Those who have followed us throughout the season so far will know the format of these events by now. The 16 seeds have been joined by the 16 qualifiers for the rest of the event. The last 32 will be played out on Saturday with the last 16 onwards all played down on Sunday. The entire tournament is the best of 11 legs.
Top Half
Michael van Gerwen is the top seed in this tournament and he is in this half of the draw. The other seeds in this half are Steve West, Alan Morris, Ian White, Benito van de Pas, Daryl Gurney, Simon Whitlock and Cristo Reyes.
The qualifiers in this part of the draw are pretty tasty too it must be said. Christian Kallinger, Vincent van der Meer, Jamie Bain, Martin Schindler, John Henderson, Jonny Clayton, Vincent van der Voort and Rene Eidams make up the draw in the top half.
Bottom Half
Peter Wright is the headline name in the bottom half this week but this is a pretty congested part of the draw. Stephen Bunting, Kim Huybrechts, Joe Cullen, Jelle Klaasen, Michael Smith, Mervyn King and the big home hope Mensur Suljovic are the other seeds around Wright.
In terms of the qualifiers in this half of the draw we have Kim Viljanen, Chris Dobey, Rusty-Jake Rodriguez, Jamie Lewis, Rob Cross, Chris Quantock, Ronny Huybrechts and Zoran Lerchbacher make up the rest of the field.
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Betting
I’m going with just the one outright bet this weekend and it is on the runner up from last year in Michael Smith. Smith has had a tough time over the last 12 months but he is starting to come good again now.
He made the semi-final of the last European Tour event where he lost to Michael van Gerwen but he wouldn’t face the Dutchman until the final here. Smith was banging in 100 averages all weekend in that tournament two weeks ago and if he can keep his form to that level, and with the Matchplay approaching I think he will, he can give us a decent run at 25/1.
Tips
PLACED – Back M.Smith to win Austrian Darts Open (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with Ladbrokes (1/3 1-2)
Back him here:
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