The evening session in the PDC World Darts Championship on Thursday will see the quarter final line up for the tournament finalised when the third round concludes in what promises to be a dramatic night of darts.
We have two of the biggest names in the game on show in the session while some young guns are looking to impress too so we should be well treated in terms of quality and action.
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Jamie Lewis vs James Richardson
Jamie Lewis: Preliminary Round beat Kenny Neyens 2-1 – Ave: 93.17 180s: 2
Round 1 beat Jonny Clayton 3-0 – Ave: 99.02 180s: 5
Round 2 beat Peter Wright 4-1 – Ave: 107.27 180s: 13
James Richardson: Round 1 beat Kim Huybrechts 3-0 – Ave: 96.91 180s: 4
Round 2 beat Alan Norris 4-1 – Ave: 86.78 180s: 7
Head to Head: 3-2
The opening match of the evening was meant to involve Peter Wright but a wonderful performance from Jamie Lewis put paid to that and his reward is a third round clash with James Richardson. Both men will realise they have a wonderful opportunity to earn some serious dosh here.
The test for Lewis now is to back up what he did against Wright. That won’t be easy and even if he can back up an emotional high he may never play as well again. Richardson needs to up his game from the second round but when you win 4-1 and don’t play well there can be some positives from that. I expect him to play better here.
I’ve a feeling Richardson is value here and I’ll have a nibble on him with a main bet on over 11.5 180s. However Lewis plays is almost irrelevant with this bet because he has been hitting 180s for fun and that may not change but even if it does Richardson has 11 180s in eight sets in this tournament so half a dozen between them in a match which should go six sets is not asking for a lot. Overs in the 180s and a smaller punt on Richardson in case Lewis fails to hit the heights again is how I’m playing this one.
Phil Taylor vs Keegan Brown
Phil Taylor: Round 1 beat Chris Dobey 3-1 – Ave: 96.33 180s: 3
Round 2 beat Justin Pipe 4-0 – Ave: 99.37 180s: 2
Keegan Brown: Round 1 beat James Wade 3-2 – Ave: 95.45 180s: 4
Round 2 beat Zoran Lerchbacher 4-2 – Ave: 87.65 180s: 3
Head to Head: 2-2
Phil Taylor continues his final tournament with a third round match against a Keegan Brown who has a decent enough record against Taylor. Their meetings were a few years ago when Taylor was an even bigger force in the game than he currently is so maybe there is something in that.
It is probably a sign of how good Phil Taylor is and has been that he has averaged in the high 90s and people are only calling his performances average. He will know that he needs to step up from here on in but that is perfectly possible. Keegan Brown was brilliant in his first round win over James Wade but terrible in his second round match. He got the job done though which deserves credit.
I don’t think Brown will be as bad in this match. I thought it was quite clear from the outset against Lerchbacher that he did not enjoy being the favourite and he struggled as a result. As an outsider with nothing to lose he is dangerous and we should see that here. I expect Taylor to win still but not before this one goes way beyond 4.5 sets.
Gary Anderson vs Steve West
Gary Anderson: Round 1 beat Jeff Smith 3-0 – Ave: 100.93 180s: 7
Round 2 beat Paul Lim 4-1 – Ave: 97.46 180s: 4
Steve West: Round 1 beat Benito van de Pas 3-1 – Ave: 95.97 180s: 4
Round 2 beat Jermaine Wattimena 4-1 – Ave: 87.92 180s: 4
Head to Head: 5-1
The final match of the third round sees Gary Anderson taking on Steve West in a match where the two time winner of this tournament is an emphatic favourite to progress to the quarter final from.
That looks to be entirely understandable. Anderson dominates their head to head and has much more experience at this stage of a tournament let alone a big TV tournament like this one. West has nothing to lose here but he has almost done his job this week having banked £27,000 and while I’m sure he’ll give this a good go I expect him to be outclassed.
I’m tempted by the Anderson king of the oche treble but at odds on the value is skinny. If I’ve had a good day I might back it prior to the match but other than that this one is a no bet match.
Tips
Back J.Richardson to beat J.Lewis for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with Betfred
Back him here:
Back J.Lewis vs J.Richardson – Over 11.5 180s for a 5/10 stake at 1.83 with Bwin
Back it here:
Back P.Taylor vs K.Brown – Over 4.5 sets for a 5/10 stake at 1.73 with William Hill
Back it here:
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