All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Day One Preview 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts

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Its day 1 of the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts in Germany which is considered to be one of the PDC’s most prestigious trophies.

To win a PDC trophy in your home nation colours is a feeling of immense pride and darting delight. The 4-day tournament is held in the German city of Frankfurt this year and after some key shifts and adjustments to the PDC Order of Merit, there have been some big selection choices for certain countries

The reigning Champions, England, have introduced World Cup of Dart debutant, Dave Chisnall, in place of Phil Taylor. Adrian Lewis remains in the England shirt and will look to continue England’s dominance of this tournament; having won four World Cups in five years. Will England continue to dominate the World Cup without ‘The Power’?

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ENGLAND To Win the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts – 6/1 – odds by skybet

Brazil will make their World Cup of Darts debut on June 2nd, a moment to remember for Alexandre Sattin and Diogo Portela. In this rather remarkable story, Portela moved to the UK leaving his home in Rio De Janiero to pursue darts full-time.

Alexandre Sattin & Diogo Portela will be representing Brazil at the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts. Photo Credit: PDC.TV

His breakout into the PDC Circuit in 2017 meant he could organise the qualifying process for his partner at the World Cup; so along came Sattin, a forensics expert for the Federal Police. Brazil will face Switzerland in their first ever World Cup match, can they write their names into Brazilian sporting history?

BRAZIL To Win against SWITZERLAND – 4/5 – odds by Skybet

Michael van Gerwen will be representing Holland at the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts

Holland (Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld), are the favourites to lift the World Cup. ‘MvG’ continues to showcase his class on the darts board time and again and is the catalyst for the Dutch side. ‘RvB’ has had a slightly disappointing campaign in the Premier League this year, as his inconsistent form continues to insinuate his best days may be behind him. However, they are still a force to be reckoned with. Can they get revenge after losing last year to England in the final?

HOLLAND To Win the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts – 5/4 – odds by Skybet

Scotland (Gary Anderson, Peter Wright) are the current top seed in the World rankings. Both Scotsman were in the finals night for the 2017 Betway Premier League. Wright was agonisingly close to his greatest darting achievement, however missed six darts at doubles to win the final and MvG spoilt the party with an impressive comeback. However, Wright has still been red-hot this year. Will Scotland see off all opposition in their way?

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SCOTLAND To Win the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts – 11/8 – odds by Skybet
In my opinion, the two ‘darkhorses’ for the tournament are two of the home nations; Wales and Northern Ireland. Both countries have darts players on top form in 2017. For Wales, Gerwyn Price, has shown vast improvements in all aspects of his play. His treble hitting, checkout percentages and confidence against the very best has been admirable. Can him and his team-mate, Mark Webster, make it to the final? I wouldn’t want to write them off.
WALES to Play Holland in the Final of the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts – 11/1 – odds by Skybet

Northern Ireland have a different man in red hot form in Daryl Gurney. The 31-year old is being tipped as the next best thing on the PDC circuit by esteemed darting individuals, and his performances are backing the pundits. His partner, Brendan Dolan, is not in best of form however if Gurney can hit the ground running then Northern Ireland could go very far in this tournament.

NORTHERN IRELAND to Play Scotland in the Final of the 2017 PDC World Cup of Darts – 18/1 – odds by Skybet
Where to watch: Sky Sports 4PM BST.

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Huddersfield Town vs Reading – Match Preview

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Skybet Championship Playoff Final, Wembley, London 3pm

It’s football’s most expensive match, Wembley Way will be full to the brim of Reading FC and Huddersfield Town fans as their teams fight for a spot in the most watched football league on the planet, the Premier League.

As a fan, it can be the most nerve-racking, nail-biting, heart-breaking match to watch. It can also be magical. Heroes are birthed in play-off finals, names are forever remembered and history continues to be written under the Wembley arch. For both Reading FC and Huddersfield Town, they will be praying for that moment of elation when the final whistle will be blown, not the tearful misery of failure.

Jaap Stam will hope to lead his Reading side into the Premier League Photo Credit: skysports.com

Reading FC are no strangers to the play-offs. However, they enter the match with a certain aura and swagger that many did not expect them to possess. Their ability to keep possession and score at vital times has helped their meteoric rise to the high-end of the table for most of the season. Led by Manchester United legend, Jaap Stam, ‘The Royals’ will look to impose their style of play early on Monday night; attempting to control the tempo of the match and dictate the flow, using their key players such as clinical striker, Yann Kermorgant and playmaker, John Swift. Kermorgant scored the crucial goal to help Reading reach the final, will he strike again?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Yann Kermorgant to score Anytime in 90 mins – 9/4

Huddersfield Town have been the surprise package from the Championship this season. They have continued to defy the odds following their poor campaign last year, finishing 19th just avoiding relegation. With head coach, David Wagner, and an ensemble of young loanees’ and signings, they have become an unexpected force to be reckoned with. Their potent attack and rigid defence saw them fight off strong opposition in Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final tie, overcoming the Championship giants on penalties to reach the final. Aaron Mooy has been delightful for ‘The Terriers’, popping up in key moments with brilliant set-pieces and goals. Will the Australian continue  his impressive season with a goal at Wembley Stadium?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Aaron Mooy to score Anytime in 90 mins – 7/2

Manchester City loanee Aaron Mooy has been excellent for Huddersfield this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Reading will be hoping Jordan Obita, who scored in the semi-final first leg vs Fulham, will be fit and available after picking up an ankle injury.

Gareth McCleary could also get a start, after coming off the bench in the 1-0 win over Fulham.

Jaap Stam will have some big decisions to make, can he lead his squad to the Premier League?

Skybet To Lift The Trophy – Reading – 6/5

Huddersfield Town have no fresh injury worries and could name the same starting XI that beat Sheffield Wednesday.

Chelsea loanee, Kasey Palmer, could be fit after being side-lined for three months with a hamstring injury.

Can Wagner complete what has already been a glorious season with promotion to the Premier League?

Skybet To Lift The Trophy – Huddersfield – 4/6

 

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Price Boost – Yann Kermorgant to score and Reading to win in 90 mins – 6/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Elias Kachunga to score and Huddersfield to win in 90 mins – 4/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Rajiv Van La Parra to score first and Huddersfield to win 2-1 – 80/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – John Swift to score first and either Reading to win 1-0 or Draw 1-1 – 25/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – BTTS, over 2.5 goals and 20+ booking pts each team – 11/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Wells to score, Huddersfield to win and BTTS – 15/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Brown to score, Huddersfield to win, over 2.5 goals and Under 50 match booking pts – 12/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – 9+ match corners and 20+ booking pts each team (both 90 mins) and either team to win on penalties – 16/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Wells & Kermorgant to score, 12+ match corners and 50+ match booking pts – 40/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Over 2.5 goals, 4+ corners each team and Hefele & Hogg to be carded – 50/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Kermorgant & Grabban to score and Hefele & Blackett to be carded – 125/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Mooy, Smith, Lowe & van den Berg to be carded – 150/1
  • Skybet @FootyAccums Special – Wells & Kermorgant to score and Gunter & van den Berg to be carded – 80/1

Ajax vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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Europa League Final, Friends Arena, Stockholm 7.45pm

 

On Wednesday 24th May, Manchester United will face off with Dutch giants, Ajax, in the UEFA Europa League final at the Stockholm Friends Arena.

After a disappointing Premier League campaign, Jose Mourinho recently admitted to turning his attention towards the Europa League in a last effort to win silverware in his first season at Old Trafford.

19 year old Kasper Dolberg has scored 6 goals in this seasons Europa League Photo Credit: skysports.com

Meanwhile, Ajax have been impressing this season in the Eredivisie finishing one point behind champions, Feyenoord. Fielding extremely young starting elevens throughout the season, the future is looking very bright in Amsterdam, even if they do fail to hoist the trophy into the air on Wednesday night. From their 27-man squad, the average age is an astounding 22 years and 7 months. Their Danish striker, Kasper Dolberg, has stolen headlines this season. His attacking prowess and energy up front has seen him score 6 goals in the Europa League this season; an impressive feat for a 19-year-old. Will the young Dane lead his team to European glory?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Kasper Dolberg to score anytime in 90 mins – 9/4

Marcus Rashford will hope he can fire United into the Champions League Photo Credit: skysports.com

Jose Mourinho hasn’t hidden the fact he’s been resting players for the final, having fielded Manchester United’s youngest ever starting eleven on the weekend against Crystal Palace in preparation for the Stockholm trip. The match could be a battle of the youth, as 19-year-old Marcus Rashford is tipped to be starting up front after an impressive performance in the semi-final tie with Celta Vigo. The Englishman scored a splendid freekick in the away leg of the semi-final and is gaining wide recognition for his impact on the ‘Red Devils’ this season. Can Rashford continue to write history and help Manchester United to that much-craved silverware?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Marcus Rashford to score anytime in 90 mins – 13/8

Team News

Having been depleted with injuries for much of the season, nothing has changed for Jose Mourinho. Manchester United are without noticeable characters; Marcus Rojo, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Bailly is serving a ban he was handed after his red card incident in the second leg of their semi-final tie with Celta Vigo.

With their Swedish talisman having to watch from the side-lines in his home country, key attackers such as Anthony Martial and Henrik Mkhitaryan will have to fill those big Swedish boots. Can Manchester United find the back of the net without Zlatan?

Skybet To Score – Manchester United to score 2+ Goals in 90 mins – Evens

On the other hand, Ajax have no fresh injury worries with ex- Ajax legend Patrick Kluivert’s son, Justin, being expected to start on the wing for the Dutch outfit.

As aforementioned, Ajax will be fielding one of the youngest ever sides in a European final. One of those young prospects is Chelsea loanee, Bertrand Traore, who is expected to start on the other wing for Ajax.

Can this young, fearless Ajax squad cause a major upset to the colossal club of Manchester United?

Skybet To Lift The Trophy – Ajax – 7/4

 

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Price Boost – Marcus Rashford to score first – 11/2
  • Skybet Price Boost – Bertrand Traore to score and Ajax to win in 90 mins – 10/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Marcus Rashford to score first and Manchester Utd to win 2-1 – 40/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Bertrand Traore to score first and either Ajax to win 2-0 or Ajax to win 2-1 – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – 5+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 9/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Dolberg to score, BTTS, over 2.5 goals and Under 60 match booking pts – 6/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Rashford & Pogba to score, Manchester Utd to win and over 2.5 goals – 14/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Traore & Dolberg to score, Ajax to win and over 2.5 goals – 22/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet – 33/1 to 66/1 – BTTS and Klaassen, Veltman & Sanchez to be carded – 40/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet – 33/1 to 66/1 – Traore to score, over 2.5 goals and Darmian & de Ligt to be carded – 50/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Rashford & Mkhitaryan to score and Valencia & Traore to be carded – 80/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Klaassen & Dolberg to score and Pogba & Darmian to be carded – 125/1
  • Skybet Featured RequestAbet – Traore & Rashford to score, 4+ corners each team and Veltman & Pogba to be carded – 150/1
  • Skybet Featured RequestAbet – Pogba to score from outside the penalty area and Ajax to miss a penalty – 250/1

 

Following the recent, tragic events in Manchester, UEFA have agreed for the match to go forward and have increased security for the fixture. A win for Manchester United would be a huge boost to the city which at this time, is in a state of worry and grieving for those who lost their lives in the attack at a music concert on Monday night. All of us here at Betalyst have the families and friends affected by the attacks in our thoughts and prayers and wish a swift recovery for the injured.