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PDC Grand Slam of Darts: into the knock-out phase

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Stuart Pyke says don't look for too many shocks in the last 16 of the GSOD.

So, seven of the eight seeds have made it through to the knock-out stages of the Grand Slam of Darts.

For backers of Michael Van Gerwen, it was another massive disappointment but for those punters who chose to oppose the teenager, a profit secured!

Now we are getting into the real business of the week, the big bets are on their way and the big names are warming up as they chase that £80,000 cheque on Sunday afternoon.

Phil Taylor, James Wade, Raymond Van Barneveld and Gary Anderson are those big guns who are all starting to fire! If it goes with the form book, the semi-final line-up would see Barney against Wade and 'The Power' taking on the BDO No.1 on Saturday afternoon.

And it seems that the Betfair market is going along with that - darts punters are not prepared to take too much of a chance at this stage!

In my first Grand Slam blog, the advice was to back James Wade and then perhaps lay the bet off later in the tournament....that is still a worthwhile bet in the overall market, with Wade now at [6.6] for backers and [7.2] to lay.

Anderson is available around [10.0] for backers and remember, if he does end up facing Mr Taylor in the semi-finals, he switched off 'The Power' in Holland only a couple of months ago, when the Scot beat the 13 times World Champion in the final of the World Darts Trophy.

Anderson's 107 average in his demolition of Welshman Barrie Bates is perhaps, a sign of things to come. The overall market still has Barney and Taylor on top of the pile and even at this stage [5.3] to back the Dutchman and [2.88] for Taylor are pretty good odds

For me, the match of the last 16 is Anderson against The Tripod - and no, I'm not going into detail as to why Roland Scholten had that nickname! He is now going under the guise of 'The Flying Dutchman'.

Remember, for the second round and the quarter-finals, it is now the best of 19 legs.

But he has been the form horse, with a tournament average of 103.61 and an unbelievable check-out success rate of 68 per cent - that's 15 doubles from just 22 attempts. It is too close to call - perhaps one to sit back and savour, rather than dipping your hand in your pocket.

There isn't any real value in Taylor v Mawson or Klaasen against Orreal [5.2]. The American and Australian have had their moment in the spotlight and it will be a breeze into the quarter-finals for the two former World Champions.

Kevin Painter against Mervyn King should be a cracker. Painter's form in the group stages should enable backers of King to get better odds and that's where my money would be.

I am just wondering if 'Lady Luck' is smiling on John Part at the Grand Slam. He should be on a plane back to Canada by now! After losing his first match against Gary Mawson, he found himself 4-1 down to Mark Webster and the taxi was waiting - with the meter running - outside the Wolverhampton Civic Hall!

But that stunning comeback and the win over Andy Jenkins gave him top spot in the group and a mouthwatering clash with Colin Lloyd, who is finally running into some form - just ask Wayne Mardle!

Part may have used his 'get out of jail free card' but he has the momentum.

There is some money coming in for youngster Kevin McDine ....for me though, at [5.2] it is a waste of money, with James Wade heavy odds-on favourite at [1.22] to give the Geordie a darting lesson.

Barney against 'The Bull' will see many punters hedging their bets. The World Champion beat Jenkins - currently trading at [3.65] - to win the Las Vegas Desert Classic in the summer but of course, the man from Herefordshire took out Barneveld 11-10 in the semi-finals of the Premier League.

On form it has to be Barney who's [1.34] to win this one!

Finally, in the last 16, there will be no racing certs with Lewis ([1.51]) and Hamilton ([2.88]) but it should be high-octane stuff. Lewis took out his fellow 'Stokey' at the World Matchplay and although Hamilton was unbeaten in the group, Adrian should hit 'The Jackpot' this time.

The tournament is a 1200 sell-out from Thursday onwards.....it's time to sort out the men from the boys but you won't go far wrong with the big quartet!