The group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts draws to a conclusion on Tuesday night when we find out which eight men from Groups A-D progress to the knockout stages which begins in earnest on Wednesday.
We’ve already seen some top quality darts from these groups including Dave Chisnall’s amazing nine dart finish on Sunday night and we’re set for plenty more on Tuesday with everything being on the line for a number of players including Adrian Lewis, Andy Fordham, Peter Wright and Martin Adams.
As with the five sessions previous to this one there will be eight matches in this particular session at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and there are some brilliant names on show.
There is no easing into the evening here as the action begins with the nine dart star Dave Chisnall taking on the BDO champion Scott Mitchell. Chisnall is already through and a win here will secure top spot in the group. Mitchell is already out and playing for pride so this is largely a dead rubber.
The big names come thick and fast and in the second match Ian White looks to pick up his first win of the week when he takes on Jelle Klaasen. White has to win at least 5-2 to have even the slightest chance of qualifying. A 5-2 win for Klaasen guarantees his qualification.
Kim Huybrechts takes to the stage in the next match knowing he has to win to have a chance of going through. He is a massive favourite to see off Mark Oosterhuis who has been totally bitten by stage fright and nerves and has lost all 10 legs he has played thus far.
Adrian Lewis slipped up against Michael Smith on Sunday night which means he has to beat Wayne Jones. A 5-2 win sees Lewis through but any win should do the trick. Jones has to win 5-2 and hope that Fordham loses later in the night to have a chance of progressing.
Michael van Gerwen has already qualified for the knockout stage barring something amazing but he’ll look to secure top spot when he faces Steve West. That game should be a formality for the former world champion it should be said.
Peter Wright and Mervyn King battle in the sixth match of the night. This is a straight knockout to determine who follows Dave Chisnall into the knockout stage from Group D while both Martin Adams and Michael Smith will be looking for wins which will guarantee qualification when they take on Steve Beaton and Andy Fordham respectively. Both should still go through even with defeat having won their opening two matches.
As with Monday night it is hard to find bets for these matches because of the ever changing dynamics as the evening progresses but there are a couple I’m going to target in the hope of making a few quid to take into the knockout stages.
Depending on where you shop bookmakers have Jelle Klaasen and Ian White at evens the pair but I can’t be having that. I have Klaasen as a favourite here and a pretty solid one. He’s throwing great darts at the minute and apart from a couple of missed doubles against Adams where I’m certain the howling noises got to him he would have done a real job there and would already be through.
White has been soundly beaten by both Adams and Steve Beaton in this tournament and once Klaasen gets to a third leg which I’m pretty confident he will then all the motivation could completely disappear from White. It won’t from Klaasen. He needs as big a win as possible to try and avoid van Gerwen in the next round so I like the Dutch star there.
Mark Oosterhuis has suffered so much this week so far that not only have Michael van Gerwen and Steve West beaten him 5-0 already but they both denied him even one dart at a double and you’ve got to think unless the Dutchman suddenly finds the ability to relax and enjoy himself Kim Huybrechts is going to take him to the cleaners too.
In fairness Huybrechts could do that whatever Oosterhuis offers. The Belgian has averaged around 106 in his opening two matches while Oosterhuis is yet to average 75 which is even worse when you think there hasn’t been missed doubles bringing that average down.
We know Kim plays well here after his exploits on this stage last year and at 15/8 he’s got to be worth a go to complete the clean sweep of legs against Oosterhuis in this group.
Back J.Klaasen to beat I.White for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Coral
Back K.Huybrechts to win 5-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.88 with Skybet
