Whitlock and Van Barneveld
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Perth Masters: first round picks see Barney battle The Wizard

| 14.08.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Michael van Gerwen has barely had time to polish his World Matchplay trophy before the PDC’s finest have been whisked-off for an Australasian adventure.

Here the Perth Masters takes centre stage, while Sydney and Auckland await later in August, and the first round promises some fascinating fixtures.

Seeded superstars, the PDC top eight, including Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor, take on regional qualifiers and Oceanic underdogs such as Simon Whitlock, on the opening day.

Who is facing who? Coral experts preview Perth’s curtain-raising clashes…

James Wade v Adam Rowe
Darts - Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships - Day Thirteen - Alexandra Palace
Winner of the 2012 Australian Grand Masters, Rowe is an outsider at 7/1 with Coral to knock recent World Matchplay finalist Wade off the Oche.

The Machine (1/16) will have a point to prove after being beaten emphatically in Blackpool, so punters will hopefully see more of the form that saw him dismantle then-champion Taylor in the semi-finals.

Gary Anderson v Kim Lewis
Darts - McCoys Premier League - BIC
Lewis is somewhat of an unknown quantity, with no major title triumphs under his belt, so is just 9/1 to trouble world champion Anderson.

The world number two (1/25) started the year in style, but has fallen off the pace recently, with The Flying Scotsman shockingly ousted in the World Matchplay second round, so will be aiming to poach another PDC trophy here (which he is a 9/2 chance to do).

Adrian Lewis v Loz Ryder
Darts show tournament at HSV
English-born Australian darting star Loz, grandson of former footballer Arthur Groves, currently calls Perth home, so should have the backing of locals, though is a rank outsider at 13/2 to sink Lewis.

Jackpot, odds-on favourite at 1/14, was another eyebrow-raising early exit from the Winter Gardens and has proven to have chinks in his armour, but should still secure safe passage smoothly. Customers can take odds of 3/1 for a resounding 6-2 scoreline in Lewis’ favour.

Phil Taylor v Craig Caldwell
Darts - 2014 William Hill World Darts Championship - Day Twelve - Alexandra Palace
Current holder Taylor is far too composed to have been knocked off his stride by the loss of his World Matchplay crown, and is 3/1 to retain this trophy.

Canterbury Open champion Caldwell is 10/1 to scalp the darting great, but The Power would be shocked not to push on to the quarter-finals in Perth, which he is a heavy 1/33 favourite to do.

The Stoke superstar also has a penchant for nine-dart finishes, so take a 28/1 price for one to occur in this match-up.

Stephen Bunting v Kyle Anderson
Darts - 2014 BDO World Professional Darts Championships - Day Nine - Lakeside Complex
Up-and-comer Bunting is odds-on at 1/2 to beat Aussie Anderson (a 6/4 shot), in what may be the closest clash of this session.

Another Perth native, The Original fell in the first round in 2014 and will want to make strides this time, though his hopes seem slim as The Bullet holds the head-to-head record with four wins to one.

Three of their last duels have ended with a one leg difference, so back the outing to end 6-5 in Bunting’s favour (11/2) for the second time on the trot.

Peter Wright v Paul Nicholson
Darts - 2014 William Hill World Darts Championship - Day Eleven - Alexandra Palace
The Asset is another English-born player who swapped sides and, at 3/1 for victory should be no walk-over, as he and Snakebite both have five wins apiece against each other.

On current form also-ran Wright (2/9) has been rampant, however, so should not slip up in his Australian opener, as he continues to threaten to claim a big PDC title soon. Another close scoreline at 5/1 for Snakebite to triumph 6-4 is possible.

Raymond van Barneveld v Simon Whitlock
Darts - Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Twelve - Alexandra Palace
Embattled Barney is off to see The Wizard in this headline tussle, with 2014 quarter-finalist Whitlock a tempting 11/10 for victory in front of home fans.

Dutch giant Van Barneveld has had a torrid time recently, but is odds-on at 4/6 to progress here. Backing Barney may not prove fruitful though as, despite his superior reputation, The Wizard has worked his magic on the decorated Dutchman 12 times to 14.

This tie should be tight, but Barney is well overdue due a better performance and has taken the spoils from his past three duels against his Australian opponent, so the fan favourite is 5/1 to win 6-4.

Michael van Gerwen v David Platt
Darts - 2014 William Hill World Darts Championship - Day Eleven - Alexandra Palace
Mighty Mike eventually stormed to World Matchplay success in the Winter Gardens and will be looking to continue his winning streak here, where he is heavily odds-on at 1/33 to take Platt (10/1) to task.

Van Gerwen is 6/4 favourite to snatch yet another title from holder Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor’s grasp, and should make light work in his opener against the unseeded Englishman.

Betting tip: Bunting @ 11/2 to defeat Anderson 6-5

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Author

Holly Thackeray

Holly is a member of the content team, and can often be found on the sports desk writing about favourite topics Serie A and East Asian footballing nations. A recent darts convert, she is also a fully-fledged member of Barney's Army and a proud Leeds-born Manchester United fan.