28th July 2012
Taylor vs Baxter Betting: Phil Taylor can make it into another Blackpool final with wide margin win over Baxter
The second semi final of the World Matchplay sees the defending champion Phil Taylor taking on the former finalist in this tournament Ronnie Baxter over the best of 33 legs at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday night. The winner will progress to the final where either Terry Jenkins or James Wade will be waiting for them. Taylor is a very warm favourite and can be backed at a best price of 1/9 with Blue Square.
Phil Taylor was nowhere near his best in the opening two rounds of the tournament but having changed back to his old darts before his quarter final with Andy Hamilton he was a lot more like himself in that match, averaging well over a ton and scoring heavily and finishing some high checkouts at the right time. Hamilton wilted as the match went on but Taylor always had an air of confidence about him throughout the match.
Ronnie Baxter is back to playing some of the best darts we’ve seen from him arguably since he made the final here in 1998. He has beaten Dave Chisnall, Dean Winstanley and Justin Pipe so far this week and beaten them all with a bit in hand you would have to say. In saying that all three have missed some good chances to take their matches with Baxter closer than they turned out and you don’t feel Taylor will miss those sort of opportunities.
Because of that I think Taylor to cover a 6.5 leg head start is the way to go in this one. He looks like he is back to his best now that he’s switched back to his old darts and while I’m sure Baxter will have some good legs in him I’m not sure he’ll have the consistency or dare I say the quality to win 11 legs. Once Taylor gets in front in big matches and long matches he’s hard to peg back and I see that being the case here and will take the defending champion on the handicap.
Back P.Taylor (-6.5 legs) to beat R.Baxter for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Blue Square
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Author: 'Arry Allsports
