It has to be said, seeds have been dropping like flies since the beginning of Darts’ World Matchplay last Saturday.
Big names like Michael Smith, James Wade, Jelle Klaasen, Robert Thornton and Kim Huybrechts have all bounced off the board in the opening couple of days. However, we’re predicting that trend will soon come to an end.
Some of Planet Darts’ biggest names will make the needlessly long walk to the oche, headed by world champion ‘Mighty’ Michael van Gerwen and we reckon we’ve landed a bullseye with these four bets on tonight action.
Simon Whitlock (-1.5 legs) v Kyle Anderson – 8/15
Apologies in advance for this one, but Simon ‘The Wizard’ Whitlock has been in magical form this season and only van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gary Anderson have won more titles on tour than the Australian this season.
Standing in his way tonight is his fellow countryman Kyle Anderson, who has had more visa problems than Donald Trump of late.
We’re going with The Wizard to cast a spell over this Aussie dust-up and take it by at least two clear legs on the scoreboard.
Adrian Lewis Most 180s, High Checkout & Win Match against Steve Beaton – 17/10
While they’re not ideal, an injury-enforced rest can help reinvigorate a player’s hunger for the game, and the fans in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, will be hoping to hit the ‘Jackpot’ as Adrian Lewis returns from surgery on what he describes as a ‘painful health issue’ later this evening.
Really looking forward to tonight's game against Steve Beaton it's good to be back. Thank you all for your messages of support 👍🎯
— Adrian Lewis (@jackpot180) July 24, 2017
He takes on former BDO world champ Steve Beaton tonight and one thing is for absolute certain when The Bronzed Adonis is involved – chest hair.
We’re tipping Lewis to comeback with a bang and claim the most 180s, the highest checkout and the overall victory tonight.
Michael van Gerwen (-3.5 legs) v Stephen Bunting – 2/9
When you’ve watched as many episodes of Family Guy as the PP News Team then you’d know that Peter Griffin doesn’t have a great record when it comes to sporting achievements.
To be fair to his darting doppelganger Steve Bunting, he’s more than handy when it comes to tossing the arrows. However, we sincerely doubt we’ll be hearing the Trashmen’s ‘The Bird is the Word’ after tonight’s contest with the world number one.
MVG holds a 9-2 head-to-head record against the Englishman and we fancy van Gerwen to beat down his opponent worse than the thumping Griffin has received from the giant chicken on several occasions.
Ian White to beat Rob Cross – 6/5
He might not be the name you see splashed across the event posters, but Ian White has quietly made his way into the world’s top 15 since joining the PDC in 2010.
A genuinely tough test awaits him in the form of the upstart Rob Cross, as the 26-year-old sensation has already snagged two Pro Tour events in his debut season in the PDC.
We’re going with White to dab his way to victory, and his greater TV experience should tell here, but Cross is definitely one to watch the future.
An accumulator on these four best bets pays approx 10/1 with Paddy Power.
Hit a winning double on Darts on PaddyPower.com* All odds correct at time of posting