We have another double session day of action in the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday where all four quarter finals of what is maturing nicely into a wonderful tournament takes place inside the Ricoh Arena in Milton Keynes.
Big names have fallen by the wayside throughout the week so far but we still have a very intriguing quarter final line up with eight men who will all be eyeing up a major title and knowing they could be just three wins from achieving it.
Afternoon Session
Michael Smith vs Jose de Sousa
The opening quarter final of the tournament sees Michael Smith and Jose de Sousa meeting for what will be the fourth time in under two weeks with a place in the semi-final of the Grand Slam of Darts the reward for the first man to 16 legs.
Smith will be feeling good about this match as he has won all three of those recent meetings and is probably the same player as de Sousa but right now just a little bit better at everything on a stage like this. That will change in time but in the here and now you’ve got to think Smith just about has the edge in scoring and even though he misses way too many doubles he is probably a better finisher. That said, I got burnt relying on Smith to hit doubles on Saturday night so I’m not going to make that mistake again at 8/11. I’m not convinced de Sousa will last the course and distance with his best game here so his best chance is that Smith keeps him interested by missing those doubles. This should be a good match to watch but it isn’t the easiest to bet on so I’ll leave this one.
Damon Heta vs James Wade
The second quarter final in the afternoon session is a repeat of an earlier group match in this tournament as Damon Heta takes on James Wade for a spot in the semi-finals on Monday evening. Heta had no answer to Wade in their previous meeting so will have to find something to come through over this distance.
I think this is a tough ask for Heta. He’s an improving player but he has never played a competitive match over this distance at this level and that inexperience could cost him. Wade knows what it is all about and has been there and done it so many times. There isn’t a whole lot between these two players but I just fancy that the leg on leg consistency of the Englishman will be too much for the Australian over this distance. Heta might well live with Wade for the first half of the match but I expect Wade to be too strong in the latter stages. I’ll take him to cover a 1.5 leg handicap.
Special Offer
Bet on the Grand Slam of Darts with the sponsors Boylesports and get DOUBLE WINNINGS on ALL MARKETS if both players hit a treble with their first dart! Click the image below to bet. All customers! 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Evening Session
Nathan Aspinall vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
The opening quarter final of the evening session promises to be a cracker as the Premier League finalist Nathan Aspinall takes on the World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh for the right to compete in another televised semi-final.
Aspinall had a great win in the last 16 when he overcame the defending champion Gerwyn Price and now he seeks to avenge a defeat to Van den Bergh from the group stage. Aspinall’s doubling really let him down on that occasion and he’ll know he can’t afford to be as shy on the outer ring if he is to come through here. That is because the Belgian has been the best player in the tournament so far. If there is a concern about Van den Bergh here it is that he hasn’t been tested yet and you wonder what he’ll have when he is but I remember thinking that in the Matchplay and he never did get challenged. The big issue with Aspinall as well as the doubling is the inevitable comedown from a big emotional match on Saturday evening. Van den Bergh has had the extra day off and is playing the better darts so he has enough going for him to be backed here.
Michael van Gerwen vs Simon Whitlock
The last of the quarter finals sees the world number one Michael van Gerwen looking to overcome a regular foe in Simon Whitlock and get revenge for defeats to the Australian in both the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix in recent times.
Those two wins will give Whitlock plenty of confidence heading into this match but I just sense he is beginning to run on fumes after a hectic period of darts in recent times. On the flip side of that van Gerwen might just be rounding into some better form after a good few months of performing way below his best. My gut feeling is that van Gerwen will win this well but I’d like to see him properly tested before I start fully trusting him again. The handicap here is 5.5 legs which feels about right so I’ll sit the final game of the day out.
Tips
WON – Back J.Wade (-1.5 legs) to beat D.Heta for a 3/10 stake at 1.87 with 888sport
Back him here:
WON – Back D.Van den Bergh to beat N.Aspinall for a 3/10 stake at 1.87 with Betfair
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2020
