Darts

Tonight's football could have been interesting, but with both teams 5 points off their holy grail with 4 games to go, its all a bit after the Lord Mayor's show. The golf is to be avoided this week too as its best to assess what effect Augusta has had on certain players and take a week off. But it wouldn't be Thursday without darts and I am fortunate enough to be able to be at Wembley Arena in person tonight, and all 8 players still have a chance of making the top 4 so there's plenty to play for. I was given a tip last week by a former sponsor of James Wade who had backstage access before matches, that if you meet the players beforehand, you get a much better idea of potential winners as some like the occasional pint or two. There is not quite enough money in darts betting for bookmakers to use that information to make much money, but its probably worth watching the prices on Betfair and follow the money if there's a run on any particular player.

8.30 Wade to beat Manley 8-6 13/2 (WON +7.07 - A classic late smash and grab from Wadey taking the last two legs to steal the points and secure his place in the playoffs)
James Wade needs to make sure he wins his last three matches to finish top of the table and perhaps set up a Taylor v Barney semi. And after losing to Taylor a month ago he has stormed back with an 8-4, and 8-1 and an 8-5 over Wayne Mardle last week having been 4-0 down. Manley is currently fourth but has a horrible run-in with Wade, the resurgent Ady Lewis and Taylor left, so he will see tonight as points he has to fight tooth and nail for. But Wadey beat him 8-5 last time out, and with One Dart throwing first he may get one leg closer, but that will be it. The handicappers have it right for me at +2.5 legs, so I'll go for the exact score of 8-6. Most bookies are offering 4/1, but Bet365 are a standout 13/2.

9.50 Taylor -4 legs to beat Part 7/4 (WON +8.82 - What a high quality match! When Part won the first two legs it looked like an upset may be on the cards, but it only spurred Phil on - he ended up posting a record 3-dart average of 111.74. Part lost 8-3 having posted a 3-dart average 7 points more than anyone else on the night, but was still 8 behind the Power!)
Since those 3 losses in the first four weeks, the old Phil Taylor has been back. He has lost only 22 legs in his 7 legs since then, while John Part is struggling to keep pace and fins himself bottom of the table after an 8-2 pasting by Ady Lewis last week. I don't expect the Power to ease up at all, and expect another 8-2 or 8-3. The 3.5 leg handicap at odds on is not worth playing when, for giving up just one leg, you can have 7/4 from Skybet.