UK Open darts match betting preview, tips and TV channel

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The feats of Barney and Mighty Mike continue to inspire a whole raft of young Dutch stars, two of whom are worth backing in the early rounds of the Ladbrokes UK Open.

Niels Zonneveld, just 20, is the outsider against seasoned English arrowsmith Matt Clark but the left-hander could well land the odds.

Zonneveld won a Challenge Tour event last year and this year earned his Tour card courtesy of winning at the European Q-School, averaging an impressive 99 and change against Christian Goedl in the final.

It’s 23 years since Clark beat Raymond van Barneveld en route to the Embassy quarters – he never went further – and the 50-year-old is delighted to have also won his card.

Clark knows he faces a test from the Dutch youngster, as does another old English favourite, Wayne Jones, against Vincent Kamphuis.

Jones, a world semi-finalist 13 years ago, has fallen off the radar and has little time for the UK Open, an event in which he has won one match on his last seven visits.

He’ll face a proper test from Kamphuis, who has reached the last 32 of a Players Championship tournament already this season and he looks a bright talent.

Another Lowlander with a big future is Brian Raman, who won the final Rileys qualifier in Liverpool to make the draw.

The Belgian will have no reason to fear playing Jose de Sousa, a player who choked spectacularly against Michael Barnard in his first-round tie at Alexandra Palace before Christmas.

All these matches are best of 11 legs.

Recommendations
N Zonneveld
1pt 11-8 Betfred
V Kamphuis
1pt 5-4 Betfair, Paddy Power
B Raman
1pt 8-5 Hills

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