Dekker’s Lakeside love affair can continue against De Vos

The Lakeside opens its doors for the fifth night of the BDO World Championship from Frimley Green and below is a double covering two of the matches, paying out just over 5/2.

Jan Dekker to beat Geert De Vos @ 4/5

Jan Dekker has been one of the most consistent performers at the Lakeside in recent years and the popular Dutchman can put that experience to good use in his last 16 match against Geert De Vos.

Dekker only made his debut at Frimley Green in 2011 but immediately took to his surroundings, reaching the semi-finals. He hasn’t been able to survive so long since but showed it was no fluke when making the quarters last year only to lose out 5-4 to debutant Richie George.

However, despite the 23-year-old’s pedigree in the competition it is understandable why the layers have found his clash against Belgian thrower Geert De Vos a difficult one to call.

De Vos has had an outstanding season, reaching four finals on the BDO circuit, and although he failed to convert any of those into title victories it will be concerning to Dekker supporters the regularity in which his opponent has been making the business end of competitions.

Both players had few anxious moments in their opening matches with only De Vos surrendering a set, and their head-to-head provides little more clarity with both men locked on two wins each from their four previous meetings.

Preference is for the marginal favourite Dekker though at 4/5.

Despite De Vos showing the better form throughout last year he has fallen at the last 16 hurdle on this stage three times before and as shown in four winless finals this year it might just be that it has become a psychological burden he will struggle to shake-off.

Martin Atkins to beat Rick Hofstra @ evens

Martin Atkins bounced back to form with a 3-0 demolition job of an in-form Jeffrey de Graaf and the 48-year-old looks overpriced to continue his momentum at the expense of Rick Hofstra.

Atkins has endured a miserable season with a semi-final appearance at the Swedish Open a lone highlight. However, The Assassin looked in good touch in sweeping aside his highly-fancied first round opponent and could embarrass the bookmakers once again.

It’s not immediately obvious why Hofstra is favourite. The Dutchman has only been in the main draw of the World Championships once before when he was eliminated in the first round in 2005.

The 38-year-old has already improved that record this week but aside from a couple of wins at the beginning of last year in low-key European events nothing he has shown in his career should make him favourite against someone with the experience of Atkins.

Back the 2012 quarter-finalist to show his class at even money.

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

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.