The second round of the World Matchplay gets underway in Blackpool tonight and I reckon there are two outstanding bets among tonight's four games which are now over 25 legs (Live on Sky Sports 1).
Steve Beaton v Mark Webster (7.10)
First up is a battle between two former Lakeside Champions. Mark Webster was the 'whipping boy' of the 2011 Premier League but looks to have put that behind him and he had an excellent run in the UK Open in June, narrowly missing out on a place in the final after being defeated 10-9 by eventual winner James Wade in the semi final. Steve Beaton has had a fairly quiet 2011 so far. His best result on the Pro Tour is two Quarter Finals while he had a disappointing UK Open which ended in the last 32 with a defeat to the relatively unknown John Bowles. Webster defeated John Part in Round One 10-8 but was far from impressive, ending the match with an average of 88.95 and with a checkout success rate of 27%. Steve Beaton on the other hand scored an impressive average of 100.97 in hammering Terry Jenkins as well as checking out at 48%. Webster is best priced at 8/15 (Various) while Beaton is available at 7/4 (Various). I think Webster too short at 8/15 (and is as short as 2/5 elsewhere). Beaton is a class act on his day and the 7/4 on offer for the 'Bronze Adonis' taking his place in the Quarter Finals represents good value.
Adrian Lewis v Vincent van der Voort (8.20)
The second match of the evening sees World Champion Adrian Lewis take on new fans favourite Vincent van der Voort. Lewis has enjoyed a great year both on and off TV, reaching four finals on the Pro Tour (winning two) away from the cameras, while he was runner up in the 2011 Premier League. Lewis is fortunate to still be in the tournament as Kevin Painter missed six match darts (3 at D20, 1 at Bull and 2 at D8) to send Lewis home. Lewis, who put his darts away at one point, punished Painter's missed doubles and won the match 14-12 after the game had gone into 'overtime' (matches at the Matchplay have to be won by 2 clear legs). Lewis averaged 98.08 against Painter and recorded a checkout success of 38%. Van der Voort, enjoying a good year himself having reached three Pro Tour finals (winning two), averaged 86.45 in a poor quality match against Alan Tabern which the Dutchman won 10-7. Voort had the same checkout percentage as Lewis (38%) and will need to raise his game massively if he's to trouble Lewis. Adrian Lewis is best priced at 1/4 (Various) while Van der Voort can be backed at 17/5 (bwin). Both of these players throw quickly (particularly Van der Voort) and have a tendency to throw brilliantly one night and distinctly average the next. This should be a high scoring match but at the prices available I reckon this is a match to watch rather than get involved in financially.
Raymond van Barneveld v Paul Nicholson (9.30)
This will be the most eagerly anticipated match of the night as 'Barney' takes on 'The Asset' Paul Nicholson. Nicholson has been hitting the headlines this week due to his 'war of words' with Phil Taylor but he's been a name on many darts fans lips during 2011. He's been one of the form players on the circuit this year winning two out of the three Pro Tour finals he has reached. Nicholson also enjoyed a great UK Open which included wins against Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor (both 9-8) before he was defeated by James Wade. On the other hand, Barney has only played in six (compared to Nicholson's twenty) Pro Tour events since the World Championship with a Quarter Final the best result to show for his efforts. Nicholson averaged 95.89 in defeating Colin Osborne 12-10 in Round One and had a checkout percentage of 52%. Barneveld averaged a similar 95.56 as he brushed past Steve Brown to win 10-3, posting a checkout success rate of 43%. Barney, who remains as popular as ever in the UK, will have the support of the crowd but this will be no easy task for Barney. Nicholson is full of confidence at the moment and will relish having the crowd against him. He is best priced at 11/8 (Various) to send the Dutchman packing while Barneveld is best priced at 8/13 (Various) and will no doubt have his followers. However, the bet I recommend is to back over 21.5 legs in the total legs market at 4/6 (Blue Square). It's very hard to see anyone running away with this one and a 13-9 or better scoreline will see this bet landed.
James Wade v Mark Walsh (10.40)
James Wade, fresh from his UK Open win in June, looks to be full of confidence and has put personal problems away from the oche behind him as he goes in search of his second Matchplay title. Mark Walsh, one of the more consistent players on the Pro Tour in recent years, has endured a difficult 2011 on the oche. He hasn't produced the great floor game he reserves for the Pro Tour and his television woes continued in Bolton as he was sent packing by Denis Ovens in the Last 32 after he'd defeated an out of form Mervyn King in the Last 64. Wade averaged 87.38 and checked out at 43% but was never pushed against Jamie Caven in Round One as Wade ran out a 10-0 winner. Walsh, who often struggles on TV, defeated Dave Chisnall 10-3, averaging 94.44 with a checkout success rate of 45%. There wasn't too much difference in the scoring of the players but Chisnall, making his Matchplay debut, just couldn't hit his doubles and ended the match with a very poor 17% checkout success rate. Wade should come through this one fairly comfortably and is best priced at 1/4 (Sky Bet) to do so with Walsh available at 7/2 (Bet365).
Tonight's best bets:
Steve Beaton to beat Mark Webster at 7/4 (Various)
Raymond van Barneveld v Paul Nicholson to produce over 21.5 legs at 4/6 (Blue Square)
