Favourites set to dominate World Darts Championship first round
Published:The biggest event in world darts – the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship – is just over three days away and the anticipation is sky high.
However, you may have to wait a few days longer for any fireworks, as the favourites look set to come through the opening round with ease.
The 2007 world champion, Raymond van Barneveld, is in at 1/6 to beat world No. 41 Steve Hine who can be backed at a massive 7/1 to upset the darts betting odds.
Elsewhere, Australian Simon Whitlock is also 1/16 to see off the challenge of Wales’ world No.71 Steve Evans and second favourite for the whole tournament, James Wade, is 1/8 to beat Spaniard Antonio Alcinas.
Despite the dominance of the top players, there are a couple of games that promise to be tight and tense affairs.
Mensur Suljovic and Michael van Gerwen can’t be separated in the betting and are both 5/6 to make it through to the second round. Van Gerwen may be 19 places higher than the Austrian, but after being whitewashed at the Daily Mirror Grand Slam of Darts last month, Van Gerwen could be on his way out. Backing Suljovic looks to be well worth a bet.
Only six places separate Barrie Bates and Kevin McDine in the other stand out first round game. Both players can also be backed at 5/6 but after his recent good form, it’s the Welshman, Bates, who looks like the best bet.
He and his partner Mark Webster made it to the final of the Cash Converters World Cup of Darts a fortnight ago, only losing to the formidable Dutch pairing of Van Barneveld and Co Stompe. Back the Welshman to come through in this clash.
A £10 bet on Barrie Bates to beat Kevin McDine pays out £8. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
