The first-ever Nordic Darts Masters starts in Copenhagen on Friday, and it’s an interesting betting heat.
As ever with World Series of Darts events, eight top-level PDC players are joined by eight regional representatives. There is often a limited amount of talent away from the big-hitters, and that means the draw is crucial.
Race to the Bottom
The Nordic and Baltic charge is led by Madars Razma and Darius Labanauskas. Razzmatazz is a good performer in the floor events, but nerves can sometimes prevent the Latvian from producing his best on the big stage. Covid travel restrictions haven’t helped Labanauskas, but it’s worth remembering that Lucky D is a former World Championship quarter-finalist.
The leading hopes of the home challenge have both been drawn in the bottom half of the draw alongside Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall.
The Asp hasn’t been anywhere near the level of a former UK Open winner in recent months, and the dominance of Van Gerwen has been well and truly snapped.
The match prices indicate that there is a realistic chance of one or both of MVG and the Asp falling when they tackle Labanauskas and Razma in the first round, and that could open up that section of the draw.
Snakebite Can Strike
Peter Wright will be on a high after he lifted the World Cup for Scotland alongside John Henderson last week, and he looks good each-way value to claim the Copenhagen crown.
The first-round tie against Marko Kantele shouldn’t pose too many problems for the Scot, and perhaps the toughness of a potential quarter-final against Clayton is being overplayed.
The Ferret is an excellent performer, but the shine seems to have gone off his game in recent weeks, and an in-form Wright will take a lot of stopping.
Snakebite is well known for frequently changing his darts, but truth be told, the Scot has been the most consistent performer on the PDC Tour over the last two years and he looks good value at 11/4.
Wright has the game to beat anyone in this field, and you can always rely on the professionalism of Snakebite even in the low-key World Series events.
Price Isn’t Right
Gerwyn Price has been handed a kind-looking first-round match, and a quarter-final against Fallon Sherrock or Niels Heinsoe is hardly insurmountable.
However, the Iceman is likely going to have to beat one of Gary Anderson or Dimitri van den Bergh in the last four and then a top-level performer in the final. There’s no doubt Price holds strong claims, but the 7/4 on offer looks far too short.
*All odds correct at time of writing.