Gibraltar Darts Quarter Finals

So, we are down to the final 8 in the Gibraltar Darts Trophy. Some big names are still involved, including Gerwyn Price and Michael Van Gerwen. Check out James Punt’s Gibraltar Darts Quarter Finals preview and tips below.

Simon Whitlock vs. Brendan Dolan

A repeat of their 2021 UK Open last 16 match which The Wizard won 10-9. Overall, he has a 13-6 H2H record over Dolan but rest of their H2H is over 4 years old.

The two are closely matched scoring wise but Dolan is 54% on his doubles to Whitlock’s 34% and that could be the difference and he the better player in 2021.

Dolan is the 1.85 favourite, Whitlock 2.10. Whitlock has hit 13 maximum’s so far and this could be a match where Whitlock throws bombs, but Dolan hits the doubles and grind his opponent down.

Gibraltar Darts Quarter Finals Tip: 0.5 point Dolan to win 6-5 @ 7.00 with Betfair

Krzysztof Ratajski vs. Mensur Suljovic

Suljovic is looking very good. He was very good at the world cup with two big ton plus averages and he smashed De Sousa out of the park with a 101 average this afternoon. Ratajski has not impressed so far. He got dragged down to Smith-Neals level today, but he only averaged 90 against Searle yesterday.

Their head to head record is 3-2 to Suljovic and he has won their two previous euro tour matches. Ratajski has won just two of his last seven matches, the two this weekend and both have duff performances. Suljovic looks back to his best and his best is very good.

I am surprised to see Ratajski to be the favourite here. Suljovic may run out of steam if he reaches the final, but he should be fine for this. He looks hungry for the game again and Ratajski has struggled lately and has not done much this weekend.

Gibraltar Darts Quarter Finals Tip: 2 point Suljovic to win @ 2.20 with BET365

Gerwyn Price vs. Michael van Gerwen

It is a shame that this is not the final. MVG has his swagger back, but he was a lucky boy when winning 6-5 against Danny Noppert this afternoon. Noppert missed three match darts after MVG once again fluffed his lines on the doubles to win, but Noppert missed double 12, double six and double three to gift Van Gerwen another chance, which he took. Both players averaged 102 and it was another top performance for MVG, apart from that stumble at the end, but got away with it and that is important. Had Noppert taken his chance, MVG’s comeback would have been stopped in its tracks.

Gerwyn Price also averaged 102 in his 6-3 win over Damon Heta. It was a good performance, not brilliant but very solid and 60% on the doubles was the reason for that good average. Van Gerwyn was 37.5% and I wonder if that will be the difference tonight.

Their H2H record is 22-4 to MVG but more importantly, since Price got his first win over MVG, after 20 attempts, it is 4-4. Not surprisingly many of their matches have been very close and this is likely to be another.

Gibraltar Darts Quarter Finals Tip: 1 point over 9.5 legs @ 1.95 with Hills

James Wade vs. Nathan Aspinall

Aspinall found his A game when beating Joe Cullen 6-4 today. It was raining 180’s as both players found their rhythm. That is back to back ton plus averages from Aspinall and he is 60% on the doubles from his first two matches. Will he keep it up is the question. Most recently Aspinall has followed up a ton plus average with a sub 90 so back to back ton pluses is a positive sign.

James Wade averaged 99 in his 6-3 win over an underwhelming Gabriel Clemens. So far Wade has been very James Wade. Steady, decent scoring and closing legs out efficiently, but Aspinall has scored better and more importantly, been better on the doubles.

Neither player has been a model of consistency recently and you have to take a leap of faith that they both can keep it going. Their H2H record is 8-7 to Aspinall with one draw. Only two matches have gone to a deciding leg and this is hard to call.

Aspinall’s A game would be too much for Wade. Aspinall is the 1.95 favourite but the two are hard to split and Wade can be backed at 1.97. If the trend of not having many close matches continues, I’ll take Aspinall to cover the handicap.

Gibraltar Darts Quarter Finals Tip: 1 point Aspinall to win -1.5 legs @ 2.50 with Ladbrokes

That is it for this weekend. Back later next week with a preview for the World Grand Prix, starting next Sunday.

-JamesPunt