World Matchplay Darts Tips: Will hunger drive Chisnal to victory?

Darts / Alex Lee / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will Chisnall prevail or is Alex wide of the mark?

"Chisnall has what’s known in sporting parlance as ‘the hunger’. For this reason, back him to beat Walsh tonight."

Don't expect any lightning quick play when two of the game's most careful throwers meet on Sunday night but do expect an intense battle of wits, says Alex Lee. Meanwhile, there are three ofther matches to get your betting teeth into.

Paul Nicholson and Colin Osborne possess strikingly similar throwing styles. Both have, to put it nicely, a 'considered approach'. In other words, they take forever between flinging each dart. That's where their similarity ends, however, with Nicholson the self-styled bête noire as opposed to the more laid-back Osborne.

The 'Aussie Geordie' loves nothing better than to wind the crowd up, while Osborne is more of a quiet grafter. Although Osborne is experienced enough not to let the atmosphere get to him, I fancy Nicholson to adapt to the noise quicker and more decisively. I can't see any upsets here, despite the players being more evenly-matched than the odds suggest.

Next up, Dave Chisnall is one of a number of players who have come through the ranks of the BDO and fancy their chances among the PDC fancy dans. While Walsh has been in the PDC for several years, he hasn't scaled the heights and looks like he's on the descent. Chisnall only joined up with the PDC this year and has what's known in sporting parlance as 'the hunger'. For this reason, back him to beat Walsh tonight.

Tonight's third game sees James Wade take on Jamie Caven. Although Caven is a likable sort with his cheeky chappie demeanour, Wade will view him as nothing more than a barfly to swat on his way to the second round. The Machine will take Caven apart tonight and for this reason a Dutch of 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 is where the clever money is heading.

The last match of the night pits Raymond Van Barneveld against Steve Brown. If there's one player who looks like he isn't enjoying himself on the oche, then it's Barney. Brown's capable of posting a fair few legs, but the best of 19 format should be long enough for Barney's class to show, regardless of how miserable he looks on stage. Perhaps take Brown on the +2.5 handicap market at around even money for a value punt.

Recommended Bets
Back Chisnall to beat Walsh @ [1.66] or better
Dutch Wade 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 versus Caven