Lakeside Title won by Waites, Adams or Winstanley?

The bookies clearly believe the Lakeside title will be reserved for a top darter who consistently throws a heavy average, making it a clear 3 horse race so we^ve got our stats book out courtesy of the http://www.dartsdataabse.com/ to take a look at what we think could happen.

This years Lakeside 2011 Title needs a player bang in form who can throw a 95 average to win in the latter stages which has not always been the case up to now.

It^s definitely looking like Winstanley Winter, at 7/1 he^s in a good Quarter of the draw and very much in form, he played very well in the Grandslam where he gave another impressive performance, and with another year of experience under his belt as well he^s well placed to be a World Champion.

However, just before you stick your house on Dean, there is one player of note in his half very much worth looking at in Benito van de Pas. He is definitely a dark horse for the Lakeside, but his recent form has gone off the boil, however at only 18 he may rise to the occasion.

With Martin Adams recent form it^s a surprise to see him at such short odds of 4/1, although no one in his eighth looks strong enough to beat him, he may have tougher Quarter final against O Shea, Montgomery or Roosenbrand.

Scott Waites has a very tough Quarter and again surprising to see him to joint favourite and 4/1. However, he^s a proven recent Major winner, taking the Grand Slam in 2010, The 2011 Winmau World Masters Title and the 2011 World Cup. Even though Scott didn^t get through his group stage in the Grand Slam he was unlucky to run into van Gerwen on a very good day, but still looked very much inform. Scott faces Boulton first than he could play Hankey in the last 16 and Walton, Atkins or West in the Quarters. Although strong favourite to win all these games they are potential banana skins for "2 Hotty”.

The dark horse for the Title could be Paul Jennings as he^s not actually played in that many events, but he^s a winner and well worth a few quid if you can get an early big price like 50/1 or 100/1. His Quarter has Robbie Green as number 4 seed, but it^s hard to see him going the full distance, the Lakeside stage is like a sauna and he^s a real big fella.

Martin Phillips could easily have another good run, so this is the Quarter to focus on if you want to back an outsider and get a decent run for your money.

Although there aren^t any single match prices up yet, three sets is a good enough distance to make sure the best player wins and it^s hard to see many shocks. The only games where the non-seeded player look favourite are Phillips, Fitton and Norris, with Roosenbrand, Barden, Prins, Atkins, de Vos and Kist all having good chances so worth checking the odds.

Good luck with your form spotting at the Lakeside as we can^t wait for the action to start on the 7th of January at 1.00pm.