The World Matchplay Darts returns on Saturday 18th July for nine nights, and MVG is trying to go one better after failing to the Power last year. Phil Taylor has won this event every year since 2008. This will be the 22nd staging of the event and Taylor has won 15 of the 21 stagings of the event. Darts exert and tipster LockupTipster offers his best bets for the tournament... follow him on twitter@LockupTipster.
LockupTipster's Betting Tips
Bottom half of draw to win matchplay @ Evens - BET NOW
NO 9 darter @ Evens - BET NOW
World Matchplay Darts Odds
Looking at the outright markets MVG is no bigger than 2/1 with some firms as short as 7/4, so Marathonbet is the place for outright backers of MVG. MVG made the final last year, losing to The Power, who is best 10/3 with Coral to retain his crown for an eighth time at the Winter Gardens. I would not put people off opposing MVG, as he has appeared more vulnerable at different times of the games I have seen in 2015. MVG has a host of TV titles in 2015, including the Unibet Masters, the UK Open and the latest title, the Dubai Duty Masters back in May.
I am not one to usually look at the outright markets, as I tend to find shades of value elsewhere. If I was forced to make a recommendation Adrian Lewis should give backers some mileage at 16/1 with 888sport and Bet Bright. My ultimate recommendation though for the Matchplay outright would be for Phil Taylor to take an eighth successive title at 10/3 with Coral.
Looking elsewhere Sponsors BetVictor goes 1/1 on the bottom half of the draw winning the matchplay (see above) This is correctly priced in my opinion, and with the field much stronger on the bottom half, with the sheer talent in the bottom half, I do think the evens is worthy with BetVictor seeing the top half as their slight favourite.
Other markets worth considering, NO 170 checkout is 6/1 at Hills, The closest we had last year was 167 by Stephen Bunting. If considering this, take a split stake with Coral at 1/1 that we see one or two. Our pick last year of NO 9-darter was thwarted by Phil Taylor and last year we took 11/10, but this year for NO perfect finish is 1/1 with the Sponsors and widely available throughout.
James Wade v Mensur Suljovic (Fri, 19:15)
Under 140.5 Checkout @ 17/20 - BET NOW
Mensur Suljovic over 4.5 180's @ 4/5 - BET NOW
Wade made it through with some ease against Dolan in the last round but has the surprise of the week with Mensur Suljovic, the Austrian Ace who took out Punters favourite Gary Anderson in the last round 13-9.
The pair have met on five occasions according to my sources which Suljovic leads 3-2 including an infamous victory in the World Championships a few years back when the machine was taken out! The two meetings on the floor have resulted in a traded victory both 6-4. Both have done well to get is far with Wade looking to take a semi-final spot but at 1/4 this is skinny!
One bet that caught my eye was Suljovic to hit over 4.5 maximums which is 10/11 with winner. Suljovic hit four versus Anderson and granted his throw is less than a smooth rhythm but in the extended format seeing five suggests he will need one at least every three legs in the worst case scenario or up-to one in six if the game goes towards 30 legs.
I also think the checkout bar on BetBright is still generous at 140.50 and will also take under 141 checkout at 10/11.
Phil Taylor v Dave Chisnall (Fri, 20:40)
No Bet
An interesting encounter for Taylor who we have not seen in top gear yet but we will he has not had to utilise his A game yet. A near 9-dart finish, the closest of the week saved our outright! Taylor comes into the game beating Hamilton 13-6 with Chisnall edging past Brown in what came as a last minute fightback to win 13-11. The players have a head to head of 2-2 in 2015, but Taylor has always had the upper hand when it comes to playing on TV hence being priced at 1/3 best!
Chisnall showed resilience in taking chances and capitalising on missed doubles in his last round win. Taylor put in a 99.37 average in his last round win but will have been disappointed on the doubles he did miss. Looking at the betting markets I considered all that was on offer but if forced to give a pointer, a colleague of mine Carl Redden asked what I thought about Chisnall 10 or more 180s at 5/6? Dave is a big hitter and polished seven off in the last round so with the extended format has a fighting chance. I'd rather enjoy this game than have a bet on so no bet for this!
The tournament runs from 18-26 July. Visit our World Matchplay Darts betting centre to compare all the best odds on every market.