Wayne Mardle: Solid Hamilton can get the job done against Richardson

Hamilton for the whitewash?

Wayne Mardle makes the picks once again and with a host of short-priced favourites he's searched through the side markets for the value...

Andy Hamilton v James Richardson  
James Richardson set the Worlds alight last year by beating Barney 3-0 but since then he's been mediocre at best. In fact that win now looks like a one-off - he made just two quarter-finals in 30 tournaments afterwards. 
Hamilton isn't expected to win the Worlds but he was the beaten finalist last year and at 34.033/1 he's fancied to go well. If the money's down you can certainly rely on him as he is a one of the most reliable sportsmen I have ever seen. The value, for me, is in a 3-0 win for Andy at a shade over evens.
Forgive me for being cheeky, but I'd do better in this game than Richardson and I only practice once a week.

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael Smith 
Michael is one of those players who has been firmly in the 'good' bracket for a few years now but he's never quite done the business on the big stage. That's not really his fault though as he's  had terrible luck with the draws. He'll climb the rankings over the next few years and the opponents will get easier but once again he's up against a very tough opponent. Barney is in a confident mood right now and it's  no surprise to see him as short as 1.222/9 to win the match. 
But Smith still makes it into my bets as I fancy him to score more 180s than his Dutch opponent. Michael is a massive scorer - once the first 60 goes in you have to fancy him to hit the maximum. 

Gary Anderson v Jaarko Komula or Jani Haavisto
A first round match against one of the two Finns awaits Gary and I'm not too fussed about which one makes it through their early preliminary match - I'll be backing the Scotsman to win 3-0 regardless. I shan't get involved in the match between the two Finnish players as there are other games to win money on at the Worlds but I can't see the tournament fifth favourite being troubled by either of them.
Gary tends to come out of the blocks very fast and should race past Komula or Haavisto at Ally Pally tonight.

Recommended Bets 
Back  Hamilton to win 3-0 @ 2.166/5
Back Smith to hit most 180s @ 2.111/10
Back Anderson to win 3-0 @ 1.84/5