By Aidan S
Dolan vs Hendriks
The game between Hughes and Hendriks was far from a quality affair, there was a ton of missed doubles and it really disappointed standard wise. Hendriks averaged just 78, but he did miss 26 darts at double, and may be slightly more comfortable on the big stage after that experience. Dolan has had a mixed year, his efforts in the big TV tournaments haven’t been particularly successful but he did win PC21 in the summer. Hendriks won the only meeting between the 2 but he’ll need to up his game to have any success here, and I think Dolan will get over the line.
Prediction: Dolan 3-1 Hendriks
Best bet:
Dolan to win, hit over 1.5 180’s and checkout over 98.5 - 11/10
Dobey vs Kleermaker
Kleermaker was solid but didn’t pull any trees up in his opener, but playing an opponent averaging just 76, his average of 86 was plenty good enough for a comfortable win. He isn’t the biggest 180 hitter in comparison to Dobey, who absolutely smashes the 180’s in when he’s on song. I expect Dobey to win this and set up an absolute cracker with Gary Anderson after Christmas.
Prediction: Dobey 3-0 Kleermaker
Best bets:
Dobey to win with most 180’s - 8/13
Dobey to win, hit over 3.5 180’s and checkout over 98.5 - 11/10
R Smith vs Labanauskas
The European Championship winner opens his campaign against Lucky D Labanauskas in the third game. It’s been a fantastic year for Ross Smith, becoming a major champion for the first time ever. In comparison, lucky D has really struggled throughout 2022 and his opener was no different. It was a really tense affair where Labanauskas was lucky that O’Shea missed key doubles at crucial moments. Ross Smith will be expecting a routine win here & set up another round 3 classic against Dirk van Duivenbode.
Prediction : R Smith 3-0 Labanauskas
Best Bet:
Ross Smith to win the match treble - 10/11
Cross vs S Williams
Darts new big entertainer takes on his best mate, and practice partner Rob Cross here in arguably the tie of round 2. Williams Ally Pally debut was spectacular, he beat Joyce 3-1, averaging over 100 and hitting 10 180’s in the process and this will be incredibly tough for Voltage. Cross is in fantastic form though, he reached the final of the Players Championship where he averaged over 100 in defeat to MVG, and Cross will be looking for another deep run at the Palace this year. This is a game that every darts fan should be looking forward too and it could go very deep, but I think Cross will just edge out his good mate.
Prediction: Cross 3-2 Williams
Best bets:
Cross win with Williams most 180’s - 13/8
Williams to hit 6+ 180’s and 1+ 100+ checkout - 2/1
Both to hit 5+ 180’s and 1+ 100+ checkout each - 5/1
Both players to hit 6+ 180’s and 2+ 100+ checkouts - 66/1
Treble
R Smith to win 3-0 or 3-1, Dobey to win and hit most 180’s, over 15.5 legs, over 8.5 180’s and a HC over 116.5 in Williams vs Cross - 9/2
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