There is just one quarter of the PDC World Darts Championship draw to go through ahead of the tournament kicking off at Alexandra Palace on Thursday night and that is the bottom section.
You can make a genuine case for this being the most open of the four quarters in the draw so we should get some really close matches, some surprise results and some top quality tungsten.
The Draw
Peter Wright v Jerry Hendriks/Warren Parry
Jamie Lewis v Mick McGowan
Ian White v Kevin Simm/Gilbert Ulang
Gerwyn Price v Johnny Clayton
James Wade v Ronny Huybrechts
Steve Beaton v Devon Petersen
Michael Smith v Ricky Evans
Mervyn King v Steve West
Seeds
Apart from Michael van Gerwen the form man on the tour is in this segment of the draw. That is of course Peter Wright. He is the main seed in the second but with James Wade, Ian White and Michael Smith all members of the top 16 here the seeds are strong for this one.
Even those outside the top 16 are capable of doing some danger in this quarter. Gerwyn Price has won tournaments this year. His Welsh compatriot Jamie Lewis a good young player while Mervyn King and Steve Beaton may be classed as veterans these days but they are capable of beating anyone.
Qualifiers
The qualifiers in this quarter aren’t household names to everyone but there are some dangerous players in there. Devon Petersen has troubled the best at times while Ricky Evans took care of Simon Whitlock here last year. Johnny Clayton is a good player and we all remember Steve West seeing off Phil Taylor in the World Grand Prix.
Betting
A case can be made for quite a few in this quarter it has to be said. Peter Wright is the favourite to come through and that is completely understandable but he won’t have been in the position of being expected to go the distance in this event before. It will be interesting to see how he copes with that.
James Wade is another standout and obvious candidate but I’m put off by his record here and only his record here. Ian White is a consistent performer but he is one of those players who always seems to run into a monster performance from someone.
Gerwyn Price and Mervyn King merit mentions although you would be concerned that Merv’s back would conk out before the quarter final even allowing for the significant breaks between matches. Price will contend TV events but not this one and not this year.
In the end that leaves Michael Smith and at 11/1 I’m prepared to take him. Smith made the quarter final here last year to confirm his place in the Premier League but it has all gone wrong for him since then but he isn’t a bad player and if he can get past Evans in the first round the format could play into his hands.
With the exception maybe of Peter Wright nobody in this section has the scoring power that Smith has and if he can win a couple of matches and build up some confidence and a rhythm, especially on the doubles, he might not be stopping until he has left all in this quarter in his wake.
Tips
Back M.Smith to win 4th Quarter for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 with Coral
Back him here:
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