By LadyD
Van den Bergh vs Ratajski
The set play seems to suit Ratajski’s game whereas Dimi is definitely more suited to leg play, hence his success in the Matchplay. This would suggest a much closer game then this one probably looks on paper, but I’m backing Dimitri to get the job done. Ratajski isn’t a huge 180 hitter, certainly in comparison to the Belgian, so Dimi to win with the most 180’s is the play here.
Prediction: Van den Bergh 4-2 Ratajski
Bets: Van den Bergh win with most 180’s - 1/1
Van den Bergh to win 4-2 or 4-3 - 6/4
Match to have over 22.5 legs, over 10.5 180’s and a HC over 122.5
Aspinall vs Rock
This is probably the tie of the round, with the young hotshot Josh Rock taking on the inform Aspinall. Both showed signs of their ability in round 2 without setting the world alight but getting over the line is the most important thing and both did so fairly easily. I expect this to be a classic with high checkouts, big scores and plenty of legs.
Prediction: Aspinall 2-4 Rock
Bets: Rock to win, hit over 5.5 180’s and a HC over 107.5 - 6/4
Match to have over 23.5 legs, over 12.5 180’s and a HC over 138.5 - 3/1
Both to hit 8+ 180’s and 2+ 100+ checkouts - 33/1
Clayton vs Dolan
Dolans game against Hendriks was very unimpressive but the History Maker got the job done easily in the end with some solid finishing. He only hit 1 180 so you’d expect Clayton to wipe the floor with Dolan in that category. It should be a routine win for Clayton here without too many worries.
Prediction: Clayton 4-0 Dolan
Bets: Clayton to win 4-0 or 4-1 - 11/10
Clayton to win the match treble - 5/4
Williams vs Clemens
Jim Williams has come through two really tight games, beating Wade and Bialecki 3-2, with averages of 90 and 91. You’d expect Williams to play to a similar standard here, and with 4 180’s in 5 sets in both games, you’d be a little surprised to see him start throwing lots of maximums. The German Giant was very impressive in despatching O’Connor 3-0, averaging just shy of 96, with 4 180’s. If Clemens can play to that standard again, he should comfortably see off the Welshman and book a place in round 4.
Prediction: Williams 1-4 Clemens
Bets: Clemens to win with most 180’s - 6/4
Clemens to hit over 6.5 180’s - 1/1
Price vs Van Barneveld
RVB got off to a slow start against Meikle, losing the first set before turning it on to win 3-1. Off the back of the Grand Slam SF as well, this is probably the best we’ve seen from the 5x World Champ, for a number of years. He ended that first round game with 7 180’s and a 95 average, which looks a lot better then Price’s 92.88 average in his R1 win. Price does tend to do just enough to win games, but that wasn’t the case in the pairs meeting last month, where a 101.78 average wasn’t enough to beat Barney, but you’d expect it to be a different outcome here. Price did also have a 150 finish against Woodhouse, he is known for his spectacular finishing and big out shots so I’m also taking a chance at a huge price on him to hit 1 in every set.
Prediction: Price 4-0 Van Barneveld
Bets: Price to win, hit over 5.5 180’s and have a HC over 111.5 - 11/8
Price to win 4-0 or 4-1 - 11/10
Price to hit a 100+ CO in every set - 200/1
Wright vs Huybrechts
Somewhat surprisingly Huybrechts recent record against Wright is very good. He did lose at the Grand Prix 2-0 but prior to that he’d won 3 contests in a row, 6-1,6-0 and 6-0. Not many can boast a victory like that against Snakebite, let alone 3 consecutive. It’s hard to read too much into either of the pairs first round ties as they level of competition was so low, that both needed nowhere near their best to win 3-0. I expect this to be the closest match of the 3 tonight, potentially going all the way, and I’m going to take a chance on the Belgian to upset the defending champ.
Prediction: Wright 3-4 Huybrechts
Bets: Huybrechts +2.5 sets - 4/5
Huybrechts to win, hit over 4.5 180’s and a HC over 119.5 - 6/1
Match to have over 23.5 legs, over 11.5 180’s and a HC over 138.5 - 4/1
Both players to hit 8+ 180’s and 2+ 100+ checkouts each - 40/1
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