BDO Darts: Scott ‘Dog’ Mitchell can bite back in Lakeside timewarp

THUD……THUD……THUD….”FIIIVE scored”. That’s right – just when you thought the world championship darts action was over for another year, the PDC’s smelly uncle stumbles in the door.

While the PDC’s millennial fanbase are commencing an inevitably failed attempt at ‘Dry January’, the loyal purists of the BDO will flock in the low hundreds to the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey for the BDO World Darts Championship. Flock probably isn’t the correct word as I’m convinced they’ve been locked in there since 1994.

CAMBERLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 14: A detailed view of a dart board prior to the final of the BDO World Darts Championship at Lakeside Country Club on January 14, 2018 in Camberley, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

If you like averages in the low 80s, nicknames like ‘Duzza’, ‘Yozza’ and ‘Robbo’, and The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger – then you’ll love the BDO!

I’ve taken it upon myself to try to flag up some value in the betting markets while the darts traders prepare for the mental slog of trading this tournament.

FRIMLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Scott Mitchell of England celebrates winning the mens final against Martin Adams of England during the BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships on Day Nine at The Lakeside Country Club on January 11, 2015 in Frimley, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Men’s Tournament Outright: Scott ‘Dog’ Mitchell – 16/1 (E/W)

Mitchell is a staple of the Lakeside. Champion in 2015, he’s got a pretty handy run to the semi finals this year, when he’s due to meet the behemoth – Glen Durrant.

Duzza is a class act going for three-in-a-row but he always has had one or two wobbles along the way. If it gets to that I’m happy to take my chances with Scotty Dog.

Mitchell wears a black shirt with a pink dog on it. What more could you want?

1st Round NAP: Wesley Harms 3-0 Correct Score v Tony O’Shea – 3/1

Silverback O’Shea is a veteran of the Lakeside and returns after being absent last year. He’s a shadow of his former self and has lost 3-0 in last two goes here in ’16 & ’17. I think he’s getting a little too much respect here.

Women’s Tournament Outright: Mikiru Suzuki – 16/1

Despite being an organisation largely stuck in the past, the BDO are remarkably well advanced when it comes to gender balance, running off their Women’s event alongside the men with full TV coverage.

FRIMLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 14: Lisa Ashton of England poses with the trophy after victory in her Women’s Final match against Corrine Hammond of Australia on Day Eight of the BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships at the Lakeside Country Club on January 14, 2017 in Frimley, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

The Japanese player makes her debut at Lakeside this year. She’s the dominant player on the Asian circuit and isn’t coming over just to take part. She faces her toughest test against the four-time champion Lisa Ashton in the first round. In their only meeting, Suzuki won in the World Masters in 2017. If she beats her, it’s game on.

Nothing beats being there, but if you can’t, it starts Saturday on Quest at 1pm, followed at 5pm by World’s Deadliest Drivers. It’s also on Eurosport, the home of fringe sport.