Adrian Lewis is 7/10 to ease through without losing a set as he begins his bid for a third PDC World Championship title against Sweden’s Magnus Caris at Alexandra Palace on Monday night.
Lewis should have little trouble progressing to the second round as he begins his quest to go one better than last year, when he was beaten by Gary Anderson in the final.
Having won the trophy in 2011 and 2012, he is comfortable on the big stage and has won the most matches overall in the last six World Championships with 26. In contrast, Caris has won just three legs in his four previous appearances at the World Championship and it would me a major upset if he finally got past the first round for the first time at odds of 27/4.
Lewis has not enjoyed the best of years in 2016 but, at 33/1, he could be good value as an outside bet to claim his third world crown.
He told The Sun: “My averages are up there. It’s all about getting the rub of the green. My game is coming on really well. I am doing three or four hours a day to make sure I am right for it. I’m in it to win it. There is no reason why I cannot go up there and win it.”
Lewis is 1/20 for the win but the 7/10 for a 3-0 victory looks a solid bet and ‘Jackpot’ can also be backed at 1/2 to win the match, have the most 180s and the highest checkout.
Also in action on day five is 2009 semi-finalist Mervyn King (above) as he takes on Steve West.
King is the 7/10 favourite to get through but could face a tough test against West, who highlighted his potential by beating 16-time world champion Phil Taylor at the World Grand Prix earlier this year. West is 51/50 for victory and the match is 17/10 to go to a deciding set.
