Friday 31 October 2014

Masters Preview

The Top 16 will battle it out on Saturday and Sunday in the Unibet Masters. I will preview all of the first round matches and give my predictions. The first round is best of 19 legs.

Peter Wright vs Justin Pipe
These two have met 6 times in the past and Wright has came out on top in 4 of those encounters, 3 of the wins have been in 2014. 
Wright was Quarter Finalist in the European Championship last week losing  to the eventual winner Michael van Gerwen and showed that he is in good form. 
Both players were eliminated in the first round in last years and will both be lookin to improve on that, but Wright has shown he is one of the best in televised tournaments and I think he will come out as the eventual winner.

Prediction - Peter Wright

Dave Chisnall vs Robert Thornton
Nothing can split this pair in the Head To Heads as both have won 8 against eachother, although Thornton has won the only 2 televised meetings.
The Scotsman is playing well having got to the last 16 in both the Grand Prix and European Championship this month and hit a 9-dart finish along the way.
Chisnall made the Quarter Final of the European Championship last week and played some decent darts but he has been unable to progress far in any tournament recently, failing to reach a semi-final in 12 attempts.
It's a close match to call and could go either way in the short format but if I had to choose I would go the way of 'The Thorn'.

Prediction - Robert Thornton

Simon Whitlock vs Mervin King 
These 2 have faced off 25 times in the past, Whitlock winning 13 times and King winning 12, not much between them.
Whitlock has made 3 finals this year but hasn't got past the Quarter Final stage in his last 9 tournaments.
King was a Semi-Finalist in last weeks European Championship and made the Quarter Finals of the Grand Prix at the start of October. He won a tournament in November and could go far this week again.
The bookmakers have made King the outsider at 6/4, but I think he will come out on top against 'The Wizard'

Prediction - Merven King

Adrian Lewis vs Kim Huybrechts
The two have never met in a major tournament but have met 11 times before  with Lewis winning 6. 
'Jackpot' has had a poor October failing to get past the 2nd round in 3 tournaments. He'll be looking to turn around this form against Huybrechts who has reached a final and a Semi final this month. 
Huybrechts can blow hot and cold, he will either average 100+ or under 90, but if he's playing at his best he will be able to defeat last years finalist Lewis.

Prediction - Kim Huybrechts

James Wade vs Brendan Dolan
Wade has been sensational in recent months reaching 2 finals and winning a tournament. His last 5 tv tournaments have resulted in him reaching at least the Quarter Final. Wade is a big points scorer and loves the short format, everything seems to be pointing towards him to go far this weekend.
Dolan isn't a big 180 hitter, he hasn't hit more than 2 in a match chance March. 
His average has been consistently around 95 in TV tournaments but I think he will be out scored by Wade and that would be the cause of him going home early. 

Prediction - Wade

Phil Taylor vs Wes Newton
In the last 32 meetings, Taylor has won an amazing 30! 
Newton has not been throwing well and hasn't got past the last 16 in any tournament in his last 9 attempts. 
I can't see past 'The Power' winning comfortably, but a few missed doubles and you never know.

Prediction - Phil Taylor

Michael van Gerwen vs Raymond van Barneveld
MVG has defeated Barney twice this month and is in the form of his life. It will take something special to put him out in the first round of a competition. If he continues this form he will lift another trophy on Sunday.

Prediction - Michael van Gerwen

Gary Anderson vs Andy Hamilton
Anderson has been in 6 Semi Finals since July and enjoys playing in TV events. His fans in Scotland will roar him on in this weekend and he is one of my picks to win the tournament.
He is up against Hamilton who has played in 6 tournaments this month and failed to get past the last 16 in all of them. I can't see him turning over the Scotsman on Saturday.

Prediction - Gary Anderson 

Tournament Winner Predictions- James Wade and Gary Anderson.

No comments:

Post a Comment