GRAND PRIX AND PREMIER LEAGUE SNOOKER BETTING

Those who like their sport to be athletic and physical may not be too endeared with this evening’s televised sporting action. But those who appreciate the skill and artistry of some of the non-combative sports are in for a treat.
The World Grand Prix of Darts is at the second round stage and after Phil Taylor safely secured his place in the quarter-finals last night it is now the turn of his nearest rivals. The opposite side of the draw includes Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade and Simon Whitlock, all of whom are looking to book a place in the quarter-finals this evening.
First up is Barney who by his own admission hasn’t had the best of preparations for this tournament. Back problems have meant that he has been out of the game since early August and he only actually arrived in Dublin on the day of his first round match. He’ll need to improve on that performance if he is to beat one of the game’s best floor players, Mark Walsh.
Next up it is Whitlock who was brilliant when beating Paul Nicholson in the first round, making a 170 checkout to win the match. The Wizard faces a tough opponent in Andy Hamilton, but one that I believe he can dispose of with a minimum amount of fuss.
James Wade completes the trio of Taylor’s main rivals when he takes on Colin Osborne, I don’t see The Machine having any dramas there either.
Bet 365 currently have Taylor as the 2/7 favourite for the tournament, Whitlock is 7/1, van Barneveld 10/1 and Wade is 11/1.
Over on the other channel Premier League snooker enters its fourth week with Mark Selby taking on Ding Junhui in the opening match. Boylesports make Selby the 7/5 favourite but there is value in backing Ding at odds of 2/1 in this short format.
The night’s other match is a repeat of last year’s final between Shaun Murphy and Ronnie O’Sullivan. Murphy was the 7-3 victor on that occasion and can cause another upset against a winless O’Sullivan tonight. Back him at odds of 16/5 with Sportingbet.