The 18th World Matchplay tournament kicks off tonight, as 32 of the world's best players battle it out for the lucrative £100,000 title.
For a couple of value punts on the winner market, with a view to trading out in later rounds, consider Simon Whitlock at 15/1 and Paul Nicholson at 30/1 with
Betfair. Both players love the big match atmosphere and with Nicholson looking to rubber-stamp his passport to the Premier League next season he'll be pumped up and ready to go. Whitlock, meanwhile, exudes inner calm and is renowned for his big checkouts.
As for Saturday night's action, there's plenty of value to be had. The first two ties of the evening being most likely to produce upsets.
Outsider Steve Beaton - an ex-BDO World Champion - can give Terry Jenkins a run for his money in the battle of the moustaches. Beaton dumped Taylor out of the 2010 Grand Slam of Darts and, at worst, will take a good few legs in this best of 19 clash.
Alan Tabern, meanwhile, is fearless enough to give Vincent van der Voort a fright. Like an adult movie star, the Dutchman is great to watch when he's on top, but not such a pretty sight when he has to come from behind.
In the other two fixtures, take Lewis to slaughter Painter with a 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 Dutch, depending on liquidity. Finally, the width of a cigarette paper will separate Webster and Part, so Dutch 10-9, 10-8, 8-10 and 9-10, again depending on liquidity, for a solid ROI.
Lay Jenkins @ 1.51 against Beaton
Back Beaton on the +2.5 market @ 1.66 or better
Lay van der Voort @ 1.63 against Tabern
