The Champions League of Darts concludes on Sunday and it does so with the final group matches in the afternoon before the play-offs in the evening as a number of star names look to get the busy period of arrers underway with a confidence boosting title success.
The first day of play saw some devastating darts being played and the results have set Sunday up very nicely indeed. Once again time restrictions will deny us the chance of previewing the evening session although we are guaranteed interest in it with Mensur Suljovic already through but we can look at the afternoon matches which we shall do here.
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Mensur Suljovic vs Simon Whitlock
The aforementioned Mensur Suljovic gets the action underway for the second afternoon in a row. We know his title defence will extend into the semi-finals but before then he takes on Simon Whitlock in his final group match which is a dead rubber.
Suljovic is through having won his opening two matches while Whitlock has lost his two games so far. Whitlock has been fairly disappointing in this tournament after his good run last weekend but he has no pressure on him here so you would think he will deliver his best performance as a result. It remains to be seen how Suljovic will go but he was in this position last year and won his final game so we shouldn’t think he’ll necessarily go easy especially as he will know a win sees him avoid MVG in the semis. Their head to head is close so there’s nothing to sway me into a bet here.
Peter Wright vs Rob Cross
Occasionally when these tournaments use the round robin format we get a knockout match before the play-offs and that is exactly what will happen in the second match of the afternoon when Peter Wright takes on Rob Cross.
Both men saw off Simon Whitlock on the opening day of action while both men lost to Mensur Suljovic so whoever wins this match will progress with the loser going home. You would have to say Wright was much the better player of the two. Cross was on twitter after his second match admonishing himself for losing concentration and made out it was not a new thing. That is a big concern it must be said.
Cross has the better of the head to head between these two men although in fairness seven of their 12 meetings have come this year when Wright hasn’t been at his fluent best. He looks good this weekend though and while it should be noted that he needs to polish up on his finishing if he can do that I think he’s sustaining his scoring well enough to come through here at a bigger price than he should be.
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Daryl Gurney vs Dave Chisnall
We move into Group A for the third match of the afternoon where Daryl Gurney faces off with Dave Chisnall in what is a huge match for the Northern Irishman. Chisnall is already out of the competition but Gurney has every chance of making it through.
Gurney saw off Gary Anderson in his opening match and to be fair he gave MVG a decent challenge in the game he lost. Chisnall was blown away twice against MVG and Anderson and to be fair looked out of his depth. The Englishman is playing for nothing here so it might be that his doubles and trebles flow but you’ve got to think Gurney will be bang up for this knowing a win near enough ensures a semi-final spot.
Usually I would be tempted in a punt on Gurney in some fashion here but Chisnall is probably one of those not to take on when he is free rolling as his scoring power can be insane. I’ll watch this one and hope Gurney is put through the ringer if he is to be Suljovic’s semi-final opponent!
Michael van Gerwen vs Gary Anderson
We finish with the best match of the lot even though it isn’t the most competitive of the afternoon in terms of it being a straight knockout. It is a knockout for Gary Anderson who will exit if he loses here unless Dave Chisnall has done him a huge favour. Michael van Gerwen is playing for top spot and the chance to put out a significant rival.
Generally matches between these two lift the roof off and if Gurney has won early in the day then I expect a right old barnstormer here. Anderson is the only player in the world who can go toe-to-toe with MVG and come out on top and the Dutchman knows it which is why he’ll be eager to dump the Scot out.
There is too much what ifs about this one in terms of the first match in the group playing a big impact on it so I’m going to wait and see what is on it before I bet so before the action begins this is a watching brief too although over 16.5 legs is tempting.
Tips
WON – Back P.Wright to beat R.Cross for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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