PDC WDC semis: Barney faces Jackpot, Klaasen draws Anderson
Published:
Sam Barnard and Holly Thackeray | January 2, 2016
Day 14 semi-finals evening session
- 2016 PDC World Darts Championship
- Saturday, January 2nd
- Session from: 20:00-23:30 GMT
- Alexandra Palace, London
- Live on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports 1
Comeback king Barney, world champion Anderson to star
Then there were four! The last fortnight has flashed by, but now the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship enters the finishing straight, in which Gary Anderson, Jelle Klaasen, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis all battle it out for a place in Sunday’s final.
After a cracking set of quarter-finals, we’re expecting the final four (who have coincidentally all either been crowned BDO or PDC world champions before) to keep piling on the thrills. So, delve into our preview of Saturday’s all-star scuffles…
Gary Anderson v Jelle Klaasen
The Flying Scotsman (11/10 favourite to defend his crown) has slowly but surely picked up form, and was back to his best in his quarter-final win over eight-time major winner James Wade, who he thrashed 5-1.
Title holder Anderson now goes up against 2006 BDO world champion Klaasen, who is the shock semi-finalist this year after defeating the likes of all-time great Phil Taylor and alan Norris in thrilling set deciders.
There is no doubt that the Scot is the favourite for this clash, odds-on at 2/7, due to his status in the game and record over the Dutchman (11/4 chance).
Klaasen has lost each of the last six meetings with Anderson, including in this event last year in the second round 4-3. However, the last three duels have all been close, so back the defending champion at 15/2 to edge another epic 6-5 against the ever-improving Cobra.
We are all still waiting for the first nine-darter this year, but Anderson came within a whisker of achieving that against Wade, just missing double 12 – ironically the very number he hit to win the title.
Many have came close, including Klaasen too, so take tasty odds of 9/1 for there to be one in this match-up.
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Although, such flashy finishes were unable to prevent Barney getting the better of him, so it may be wiser to back the in-form Dutch legend at a generous 6/4 price to win again.
While it is true that two-time world champ Lewis (very short and odds-on at 8/15) has dropped just two sets all tournament and is on top of his game at the moment, his older opponent has so far had the rub of the green.
A jaw-dropping comeback against Michael Smith was preceded by two similarly tight ties with world number one Michael van Gerwen and fellow big name Stephen Bunting, but the fan favourite just keeps on prevailing.
Barney certainly appears to have nine lives in this tournament, but Jackpot did dispatch him in their two most recent meetings, one of which was an agonisingly close Auckland Masters final that ended dramatically 11-10 in the Englishman’s favour.
The Dutch dartsman had chances to win it then and will be keen to make amends, with odds of 15/2 for him to triumph 6-5 this time.
Related
Check out more majestic previews on our darts page, or read the latest oche action reactions in our World Darts Championship reviews section.
Coral’s top tip: Both Anderson and Klaasen are world champions, and could produce another epic clash at this event. Take odds of 15/2 for the former to edge it 6-5.
