Nordic Darts Semi Finals Tips by James Punt
Nordic Darts Semi Finals Tips
It has been an exciting couple of days of darting action in Denmark. This evening sees the last four face off in the Nordic Darts Semi Finals, check out James Punt’s preview and free tips below.
Dimitri van den Bergh vs. Fallon Sherrock
The pressure is on Dimitri here. He is the big favourite, but the crowd will be cheering on Sherrock. Van den Bergh has not played well so far this weekend which sees his poor form last week continuing. He is averaging 89 across his two matches, despite hitting no less than nine maximums against Gary Anderson this afternoon. He was lucky that Anderson was just that bit worse than he was.
Sherrock should have little pressure on her shoulders. Gerwyn Prices withdrawal means she will pick up £5k, with the chance of more. She is freerolling. If Van den Bergh continues to average around 90 with 30% on the doubles, he is not going to win much. If Sherrock can find her A game then Van den Bergh will have to play a lot better than he has done. If Sherrock does her usual mid to high 80’s than that probably won’t be enough to win, but she would win legs.
Sherrock does have a chance here. Van den Bergh is not in great form. Hitting all those 180’s this afternoon and still struggling to beat a player averaging 88 underlines Sherrock’s chances.
Van den Bergh is the 1.20 favourite with Fallon a 6.50 shot and worth a small bet outright and backed on the handicap.
Nordic Darts Semi Finals Tip: 0.5 point Fallon Sherrock to win @ 6.50 with SpreadEx
Nordic Darts Semi Finals Tip: 1 point Fallon Sherrock to win +4.5 legs @ 1.85 with Ladbrokes
Michael van Gerwen vs. Jonny Clayton
This is a huge match for MVG. A tournament win is tantalizingly close. If he wins this, he will face an out of form Dimitri van den Bergh or Fallon Sherrock and he would fancy his chances, and so would I.
However, standing in his way is The Ferret and Michael doesn’t like Ferrets. MVG might have a 12-8 H2H record over the Welshman, but in 2021 it is 4-1 to Jonny Clayton.
Clayton was almost back to his best when thrashing Peter Wright 10-3 today. Wright scored well but was very poor on the doubles and Clayton took almost every chance going. He averaged 103.8 and was an encouraging 50% on the doubles. There were four legs where he needed more than 15 darts to win them, but nothing worse than 17.
Easy Win
Michael also had an easy win this afternoon, a 10-4 win over Razma, who didn’t play well scoring wise. It was a one-sided affair with zero pressure on MVG. A 101.6 average is more like it from MVG, but would it be enough against Clayton? MVG averaged 101 in the PL semi-final and Clayton won 10-8. Van Gerwen was 62.5% on the doubles this afternoon and that is where he needs to remain strong, especially when under pressure.
MVG usually brings the best out in the Ferret, and this will be a very tough test for the former world number 1. Clayton has been the better player for over a year now and the Welshman should be the favourite to win.
This is a test of Van Gerwen’s confidence. His game has been fine during his win drought but his confidence brittle. He needs his A game in all departments as The Ferret is likely to stretch him once again.
They have played two first to ten matches this year and Clayton has won both, 10-9 at The Masters and 10-8 in the PL semi-final. With both players looking in good nick, this first to eleven leg format could be another close one.
Nordic Darts Semi Finals Tip: 2 points over 18.5 legs @ 1.91 with Hills, Ladbrokes
-JamesPunt