What’s The Matter With … Adrian Lewis’ last two months of form?

Only Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor have previously had the opportunity to celebrate a hat-trick of successive victories at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship, but Adrian Lewis has the chance to emulate their accomplishments this year.

Lewis is 12/1 to land the spoils again at London, which does look a big price for a player with a clear love of saving his best form for Alexandra Palace.

However, his recent form has been patchy and this looks an obvious reason for his seemingly enhanced odds.

Lewis has played in 12 events since winning the German Masters in early October, with a single semi final in a small event in Barnsley the best he has mustered in this period.

Much of his struggles could be put down to the impending birth of his second child Matthew and first with his relatively new wife Sarah, who arrived early this month.

Lewis has himself admitted that his son’s safe arrival is a weight off his shoulders and this has prevented him from fully focusing on defending his title.

This can now change and his preparation in terms of results is not much different to when he arrived at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago.

The world has looked to be Lewis’s oyster following both of his world title victories, especially with Phil Taylor still highly competitive, but not the dominant force of old.

But for whatever reason, Lewis has failed to set the world alight and there is the belief that he struggles to get up for the smaller events, needing the extra buzz that is provided at the World Championship.

The fact he faces World Championship debutant Gino Vos first is a slight boost to his chances, given that the 22-year-old Dutchman has not even made a tournament quarter final since January.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.