Young Dutchmen Klaasen and Van Gerwen prepare to get underway
Published:Two of the Netherlands’ biggest young guns are in action in the same night at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, but there is every chance that neither will advance beyond the first round.
Big things were expected of Jelle Klaasen after he won the BDO World Championship in 2006, but things have not gone necessarily to plan since, particularly since switching codes to the PDC.
Klaasen has fallen at the first hurdle twice at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships in three attempts and faces a tricky contest in the opening round this year against Steve Brown.
Brown has won two of their three previous meetings and is 6/4 to reach the second round, with Klaasen the slight favourite at 1/2.
Klaasen very much relies on rhythm when performing well because of his fast throwing style and if he begins brightly the match could be over in no time.
He is 4/7 to register the most 180s and 11/4 to beat Brown 3-1 in sets.
The other flying Dutchman is Michael Van Gerwin, with the 21-year-old preparing to do battle with Austrian Mensur Suljovic in the opening round at Alexandra Palace.
Suljovic has progressed through the first round in two of the last three years and therefore could represent good value at 5/6 to sneak through.
There is no doubt that Van Gerwin has the talent to feature in the latter stages of the tournament, particularly given that he won the Players Championship last year.
He is also 5/6 in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship betting to beat Suljovic, but could be massively overpriced at 150/1 to win the whole tournament.
A £10 bet on Van Gerwin reaching the semi finals and winning his quarter of the draw could see a return of £330. New Ladbrokes customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
