There are four matches in the World Indoor Singles Championship on Monday, with three first round ties and the first second round match of the week.
Stephen Chan v Michael Bowley
Although it's a very short price, the 2-7 for Englishman Bowley cannot be ignored as the Nottingham bowler, and clubmate of top-16 star Simon Skelton, should easily see off the man from Hong Kong, who was a late replacement for fellow countryman Osman Adem.
This is the first time Bowley has qualified for Potters, but he did get to the Welsh Open in 2008, where he defeated Kelvin Kerkow in the first round before bowing out to Greg Harlow, and that is far better form than anything Chan can muster.
Chan did play for his native land in the World Cup earlier in the season, but fared poorly on that occasion, and I cannot remember the last time a player from Hong Kong made any sort of impression at a World Bowls Tour event and the chap has no chance of winning this.
Verdict: Bowley to romp home.
Geoff Maskell v Robert Paxton
Next up it's Australia v England as Maskell enters the World Indoors fray for the first time against Exeter ace Paxton, ranked 25th in the world, and a semi-finalist at Potters in 2005.
Paxton has hovered on the periphery of the world's top 16 for quite some time now without ever really seriously threatening to break into the elite and although it's another very short price, he has to be backed at a general 4-9 to progress to a second round encounter with eighth seed Andy Thomson.
The aging Maskell is a well-respected international coach Down Under, but that means nothing on the portable rinks of the World Bowls Tour and I can't see him troubling the experienced Paxton one iota.
Verdict: Easy for Paxton.
Fred Fong v Stewart Anderson
In the last of the first round matches, Canadian veteran Fong now finds himself up against tournament favourite Anderson, who has been the subject of a betting avalanche these past few days, with the Scot backed into 6-1 from 40s with Boylesports.
There is no doubting Anderson's ability, as witnessed in his gallant run to the semi-final of the recent Scottish International Open, where he brushed aside David Gourlay, Jonathan Ross and Billy Jackson, before succumbing to tournament winner Paul Foster, on the final end of the third set tie-break, but I personally think it's madness how a player with so little experience on the World Bowls Tour can suddenly be propelled into the favourite's chair after one decent event.
The 24-year-old Scot lost in the first round to John Price last year and while he'll almost definitely walk all over Fong at 1-4 (Stan James), also a first round loser last year, I don't think he's quite up to winning this tournament just yet.
Fong, a 62-year-old from Vancouver has already made an appearance at Potters this week, in the pairs with Hirendra Bhartu, bit was soundly beaten by Alex Marshall and Paul Foster, and while that outing will have prepared him well for this clash, I think it will be another straight sets defeat for him.
Verdict: A stroll in the park for Anderson.
Jonathan Ross v Willie Wood
One of the most famous bowlers of the 1980s has made a terrific comeback this week, with 71-year-old Scottish ace Wood not only qualifying for his first World Indoor Singles appearance since 1999, but winning on his return as he defeated South African Theuns Fraser in a vintage performance.
Wood's reward for that win is a clash with 16th seed Ross a player who has struggled to convince since his elevation to the elite a few years ago and who finally looks like dropping out of the top 16 after a series of uninspired performances.
Ross is a best price of 4-9, but I won't be touching that with the proverbial bargepole and a punt on Wood at 7-4 makes much more sense and is better value anyway. He may have lost a bit of quality over the years, but the canny septuagenarian can more than hold his own against the Ulsterman and he is probably still a better bowler now than Ross has ever been.
Verdict: Wood can march on.
