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Jaymes Monte has seen enough from one of the game's so-called underachievers to believe that his fortunes may be about to turn...


Michael van Gerwen is often accused of being one of the game's perennial underachievers. It's a ludicrous accusation given that he is still only 22 years old, but one that gives you an idea of just how much talent the youngster has.

Having burst onto the scene as the youngest ever winner of a televised major when he won the Winmau World Masters at just 17, he has yet to go on to achieve the success that many had predicted. But he has time on his side, and if recent performances are anything to go by he is certainly heading in the right direction as a player.

He produced some mesmerising performances to top a difficult Grand Slam of Darts group a month ago and did nothing wrong in defeat to Gary Anderson at the Players Championship Finals last weekend. The Dutchman also revealed on Twitter earlier this week that he is over the debilitating foot injury that hindered him in Doncaster.

His opponent, Colin Osborne, has had another disappointing year in front of the cameras and has now failed to make it past the last 16 of a major event since January 2010.

Osborne's steady game sees him pick up enough prize money to stay in the top 32 in the Order of Merit, but he doesn't have that extra gear required to crank up the pressure against the best in the game. Van Gerwen does have the extra gear - although admittedly he doesn't always find it - and, so long as he doesn't start to beat himself up, he looks a good bet at odds of 2.0 for the win here.


Recommended Bet:

Back Van Gerwen to beat Osborne @ 2.0


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