The weekend is over which means we are back to one session days at the PDC World Darts Championship for the next four nights. We’ve seen some excellent darts in the tournament so far and we’re only halfway through the first round.
Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor both eased into the second round over the weekend and on Monday night Adrian Lewis will look to do likewise. He is the focus of attention on the fifth night of action.
Sun Qiang vs Corey Cadby (P)
Unknown Age 21
China Country Australia
N/A PDC Ranking N/A
Last 72 WC Best Debut
Last 72 Last year Debut
0 Head to Head 0
The preliminary round game to get the night underway looks something of a mismatch. Sun Qiang was here last year but was crippled by nerves in a defeat to Mick McGowan. I don’t think the World Youth Championship winner Corey Cadby is going to have too many nerves. He’s a very confident young man and with good reason.
Cadby will win this but even to win 2-0 he’s a best price of 2/5. That is good accumulator material but not a lot else. I’m not getting involved in the match.
Mervyn King vs Steve West
50 Age 41
22 PDC Ranking 45
SF WC Best Debut
Last 32 Last year Debut
5 Head to Head 3
The opening first round match of the night should be a good game between a Mervyn King who has been dangerous at this level for years and Steve West who won’t need reminding that he beat Phil Taylor in the World Grand Prix not too long ago.
Mervyn King’s back issues have severely held him back in recent times but when he is fit he is still a match for anyone and the fact he can play and have a few days off in this tournament probably suits him. We know he is meticulous with preparation so we can expect him to turn up with his A game.
Steve West was on the crest of a wave around the time of that win over Phil Taylor. He had made a final and a semi-final on the floor in the two weeks leading up to that tournament but his form has just tailed off in the last month or two which would be a concern here.
Had this match been two months ago I’d have been all over West but I think the drop in form West has suffered since brings King into it and I think he is a worthy favourite. I think he is marginally the better player and his experience could be crucial. I’m happy to be on the former semi-finalist here.
Adrian Lewis vs Magnus Caris
31 Age 48
5 PDC Ranking 80
Winner WC Best Last 64
Final Last year DNQ
1 Head to Head 2
Adrian Lewis’ tilt for a third world title begins on Monday night when what should be a straight forward assignment. Magnus Caris has been around for ages but isn’t going to get any better at this stage of his career.
Lewis hasn’t been in the best of form in recent times so this is the perfect opener for him to get some confidence going and get into a winning groove and I expect him to do just that. All things being equal this will be 3-0 to Lewis but he isn’t in great form so I wouldn’t want to put money on it. Instead I’ll sit this one out.
Joe Cullen vs Sun Qiang/Corey Cadby
27 Age
29 PDC Ranking
Last 64 WC Best
Last 64 Last year
N/A Head to Head N/A
I think it is fair to say we can assume Corey Cadby will be Joe Cullen’s opponent in this match. Something will have to have gone very wrong for that not to be the case so we’ll find out about the young Aussie in that match as Cullen is a more than capable player.
In a way I’m glad Cullen plays the prelim winner here as I won’t be tempted to get involved and the realise why I don’t want to get involved is this will be Cullen’s seventh trip to the Alexandra Palace and he is still looking for a first win. That is a huge monkey on his back and if Cadby starts well the pressure will mount quickly on Cullen.
If Corey Cadby looks at home in the preliminary match then a small bet on him to win this might pay dividends but officially I’m not playing this game.
Tips
WON – Back M.King to beat S.West for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betfair
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