Darts Betting: Mervyn prays for mercy as King Phil powers on

Darts / David Croft / 02 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

The weekend to end all weekends for Darts fans has finally arrived with 19 matches from either Alexandra Palace or The Lakeside all of which, one way or another, will be shown live on television. As one championship builds to an exciting climax, the original world pro gets underway. Brilliant, says David Croft.

At the Palace King Phil is already in his counting house getting ready to count his money. A cool £125,000 awaits the Power should he win on Sunday night and so far I haven't seen evidence that the title is going elsewhere. His demolition of Co Stompe was as clinical as it was cruel. Stompe was hardly given a sniff; Taylor averaging close to 110 for three darts was truly awesome. I've never wavered from my belief that he'll win this year and after dropping just one set en route to the last four I'm not about to change my mind. Mervyn King could do well to start praying for mercy now.

Meanwhile, Barney fought out a belter against Baxter. His bottle in the sudden death decider was truly awesome and looks the best bet to challenge the 13-time champion. His price of [7.2] does seem a steal, but sadly he's got to beat a resurgent Jelle Klassen this evening before taking on the winner of Wade against Nicholson in the last four.

IBarney goes one of two ways tonight. After surviving match darts against him when beating Baxter, Barneveld either trusts his talent and uses the scare to kick on, or struggles against the youngster as he did in the Lakeside final back in 2006, drained physically and mentally and unable to handle the pace and the pressure that an in-form Lessen can deliver. I think this could be another long night for Barney and take him to win by five sets to three at [5.1]. Expect plenty of high scoring too so the [1.61] on their being over 14.5 180's certainly appeals.

The other quarter-final tie sees James Wade up against the man of the tournament for me, Phil Nicholson. The Geordie who now lives Down Under has been a sensation in this tournament and after watching Wade struggle at times in his last couple of games I don't think his championship is about to end in the last eight. Nicholson is a nicely priced [2.46] to win outright, a handy [11.0] to win by five sets to two and a generous [2.36] to get the most 180's in the match. I backed against him against Dennis Priestley and he showed me how wrong I was by rattling off four sets without reply, tonight I back him to book a place against Barney in the semi-finals.

On then to the Lakeside, which is as open as ever this year. 12 of the 32 strong men's field make their debuts in the championship, including, for the first time in the history of this great event, a man from Poland.

Krzysztof Ratajski will score you huge points in Scrabble and at [110.0] with Betfair you can buy plenty of Scrabble sets should he win. Can't see it but he's a fair player and at [2.74] I fancy him to win through his first round match against eighth seed Edwin Max.

John Walton at [90.0], Ross Montgomery at [27.0] and Darryl Fitton at [19.5] will all attract support but I don't see them threatening in the closing stages. Before the Winmau World Masters I'd have put Martin Adams in that category too but he was sensational in Bridlington - averaging over 100 for the tournament - and if he adopts the same practice routine for the world championships I can see him making the final once again. Adams at [8.8] is in the slightly easier bottom half of the draw as well and I can see him facing either defending champion Mark Webster or Ted Hankey in the semis.

Webster will have a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders but should win through to the last four, he'[s [6.4] with Betfair to go all the way, Hankey who puts more pressure on his shoulders than any of his critics could ever achieve is a tempting [46.0], he's not in bad nick on the board, as for his mental state that's anyone's guess.

As for the top half of the draw, there's the Lakeside enigma Gary Anderson, so talented on his day but that day very rarely comes in the first week of the New Year. I wouldn't take him on at [4.0], even if he is on form he's got the bogey of Robert Wagner in the first round - Wagner beat him out of sight at the Winmau's last month - and then probably Tony O Shea in the quarters. O Shea, after playing the part of the nearly man for so long, is finally starting to get his act together, at [40.0] with Betfair he's worth a nibble. Then if Anderson gets to the semis he should face Simon Whitlock. Whitlock at [11.5] is the danger man in the top half and more than capable of going one better than his runners up spot last year.

So for a shortlist try this: Whitlock [11.5] and O Shea [40.0] from the top half. Adams at [8.8] and Hankey at [46.0] from the bottom half.

Enjoy the weekend to end all darting weekends .