2017 is underway and in the darting world it launches into life with a bang as the two PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals take place on Sunday evening and with four superstars of the modern game on show everything is set for an epic night of arrers.
We have the top three players in the world left in the tournament along with an all-time legend looking to get the title back, We’re up to the best of 11 sets now so a fantastic night is in store.
Gary Anderson vs Peter Wright
Gary Anderson: Round 1 beat Mark Frost 3-0 – Ave: 96.16 180s: 5
Round 2 beat Andrew Gilding 4-0 – Ave: 102.58 180s: 6
Round 3 beat Benito van de Pas 4-2 – Ave: 107.68 180s: 11
QF beat Dave Chisnall 5-3 – Ave: 105.90 180s: 12
Peter Wright: Round 1 beat Jerry Hendriks 3-0 – Ave: 101.06 180s: 1
Round 2 beat Jamie Lewis 4-0 – Ave: 103.53 180s: 2
Round 3 beat Ian White 4-1 – Ave: 103.05 180s: 3
QF beat James Wade 5-3 – Ave: 104.79 180s: 10
Head to Head: 17-11 (1 draw)
The night begins with the all-Scottish clash between Gary Anderson and Peter Wright. Anderson is now two wins away from an amazing hat trick of titles while Wright is looking for a spot in a second final.
All the talk in this tournament has been about Michael van Gerwen but for me Gary Anderson has played the best darts we’ve seen. His first three sets against Benito van de Pas and the entirely of that classic with Dave Chisnall were darts from a different level and if he has maintained that form he will be so hard to beat here.
Peter Wright has been extremely consistent in this tournament. He has averaged over a ton in all of his matches and he’ll have to do that here too but the worry is that he hasn’t really been challenged in the tournament. The match with Wade looks close but had it not been for two sensational finishes Wade would have been well beaten.
I don’t think Anderson is for beating here but I respect the consistency of Wright enough to not risk any handicaps. I just feel Wright might miss a pressure double or two at the wrong time. In terms of betting it is the 180s I’m looking at where the line is a sensational 25.5.
You have to go all the way back to 2010 for the last time a semi-final contained more 180s than that. It looks a high line here too. Peter Wright has only hit 16 180s in the competition so far while Anderson is hitting more 140s than he has for a while. To be comfortable at covering this I reckon we’ll need a deciding set. I’m not convinced we’ll get one so I’m going to side with history and take the unders here.
Michael van Gerwen vs Raymond Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen: Round 1 beat Kim Viljanen 3-0 – Ave: 103.34 180s: 5
Round 2 beat Cristo Reyes 4-2 – Ave: 105.24 180s: 11
Round 3 beat Darren Webster 4-1 – Ave: 104.44 180s: 8
QF beat Daryl Gurney 5-1 – Ave: 103.08 180s: 7
Raymond Barneveld Round 1 beat Robbie Green 3-0 – Ave: 98.84 180s: 3
Round 2 beat Alan Norris 4-0 – Ave: 103.59 180s: 7
Round 3 beat Adrian Lewis 4-3 – Ave: 95.00 180s: 3
QF beat Phil Taylor 5-3 – Ave: 96.31 180s: 6
Head to Head: 26-16 (1 draw)
The second semi-final is an all-Dutch battle with a twist as Michael van Gerwen takes on Raymond Barneveld. This is the second year in a row that these two have met in this tournament with Barneveld ending van Gerwen’s dream 12 months ago.
That might only make sure van Gerwen plays even better in this match but it is important that he doesn’t try too hard and start snatching everything. We’ve seen him miss a fair amount of doubles in this tournament which he has just about got away with but he won’t get away with them here.
Raymond Barneveld has oozed confidence and belief so far in the tournament but this is the acid test of that here. He faces a man he knows is rampant but he also knows in arguably their three biggest meetings – last year’s match here, the 2014 Premier League final and the 2012 Grand Slam final it is he that has triumphed.
I’m really looking forward to this match. I’ve had this nagging feeling for a while that Barneveld would come through this top half and I still have that feeling. I think Barney will be right up for this match. Whether that means he wins or not I’m not sure but I think he’ll be close in the early stages and if MVG misses a double at the wrong time Barneveld will be there to take advantage.
He holds his throw remarkably well does Barneveld and whether MVG throws first or second in this semi-final to cover a 3.5 set handicap he will need to win two unanswered sets against the throw and that is anything but guaranteed so on the 3.5 line Barneveld on the handicap looks good.
I’m also going to take the overs on MVGs checkout line. I pointed out his high finishing in the last match and to emphasise my point he banged out two more 170s in the QF. 138.5 is a higher line but it isn’t high enough.
Tips
WON – Back G.Anderson vs P.Wright – Under 25.5 180s for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Ladbrokes
Back it here:
Back R.Barneveld (+3.5 sets) to beat M.van Gerwen for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Coral
Back him here:
Back M.van Gerwen’s Highest Checkout – Over 138.5 for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
Back it here:
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Nice preview Kev. Standing back, Anderson would appear to be the value for the outright. Van Gerwen on the other hand has not had a blockbuster like the Anderson-Chisnall game and you would think there is one in him. Anderson may well have gone out had Dave Chisnall not stalled so long when throwing to go 4-5 up. Van Gerwen may have got his timing right this time, Should be avid viewing. GL with your selections and Happy New Year. JR
Chisnall to go 3-4 up I meant.