Dubai Desert Classic Betting Tips

It's the final leg of the desert swing- and that means the European Tour is off to the Dubai Desert Classic. This is a tournament that used to attract a stellar field, but recently seems to have been overtaken by the Abu Dhabi Championship and therefore this is probably the weakest field of the swing.

Lee Westwood is set to make his season début and has done pretty well here in the past, but it's Sergio Garcia after a fine performance last week who heads the betting at 6/1. This is a price that's just a bit too short for my liking and I also think I'm going to leave Westwood alone this week having recently changed coaches and not having the match sharpness a few others in the field will have this week.

I also really fancied Henrik Stenson before the prices were released- he has looked liked getting close to form lately and likes it here- but at around 14/1 I don't think his form justifies that price.

This week I have decided to take a more scientific (more than normal anyway!) approach and have done some research into the stats of players that have done well here in the past, and have found that it's really important to hit lots of greens here to be successful. Even players that have not putted so great have been up there in previous years. Driving accuracy also doesn't look so important here, however we need someone who can get it a fair way off the tee.

My first pick of the week is Paul Casey. He has let me down a couple of times so far this season, but has actually been hitting it pretty well and has been hitting plenty of greens only to be let down by his putting. Combine the fact that he has played a good deal of golf over the last few weeks and therefore should be pretty warm with the fact that he has had some good performances here in previous years I think his price should be slightly lower than the 25/1 with 6 places each way available at Stan James.

Next on the list is Thongchai Jaidee who has been playing some sublime golf of late but has also been slightly let down by a cold putter. With a 3rd place here in 2010 and top 10 finishes in his last 3 outings he cannot be far away from adding his 6th European Tour win to his tally. He has been hitting plenty of GIR so far this year and is available at 30/1 with Bet365 or again at 25/1 for 6 places with Stan James. Compare his recent form to that of those above him in the betting and this is another good value opportunity.

After a win last week and top-20 performances the last 3 times he teed it up here in Dubai Chris Wood is going to be brimming with confidence in his game. Many people feel that he was long overdue his maiden win, and I see no reason why he won't be wanting to add to that tally as soon as possible. Could he be the Branden Grace of 2013?! He's available at a price of 33/1 across the board and I feel he is well worth a punt again this week.

I am also going to add Danny Willet to the roster, a player that could potentially have a very good season. He has had some decent results of late but has been fairly under the radar. He is 17th in the GIR stats so far this season and a good showing this week would certainly not be a surprise to most people.

My final two punts this week are going to be on a couple of longer odds shots. Anthony Wall has long been regarded as one of the most talented ball strikers on the European Tour, came 6th last week and has posted a top 10 results in Dubai previously. With a slightly weaker field I feel that the 90/1 available on him underestimates his ball striking ability at a course that should suit. Jeev Milha Singh has not had the greatest time in the last fortnight, but has not missed a cut here in his last 6 outings and had a half decent performance in Durban. He's a really streaky player and can regularly chuck in a top-5 between missed cuts so I don't mind risking a small stake on him at the 125/1 available at Bet365.

My Betting Tips for the Week:

• 1.5pt e/w Paul Casey at 29.0 (Various) or 26.0 (Stan James w/ 6 places e/w)
• 1pt e/w Thongchai Jaidee at 31.0 (Bet365) or 26.0 (Stan James w/ 6 places e/w)
• 1pt e/w Chris Wood at 34.0 (Stan James)
• 1pt e/w Danny Willet at 51.0 (Ladbrokes) or or 41.0 (Stan James w/ 6 places e/w)
• 0.5pt e/w Anthony Wall at 91.0 (Bet365)
• 0.5pt e/w Jeev Milkha Singh at 126.0 (Bet365)

Where stated I have taken the 6 places at Stan James.