Two more huge names get their PDC World Championship campaigns underway on Thursday evening inside Alexandra Palace as the second round of the tournament continues at quite some pace.
We’ve had drama, tension, excitement and a whole bunch of shocks in this stage of the event so far and Adrian Lewis and Mensur Suljovic will be out to avoid the carnage on Thursday. They are the highlight of another good looking schedule.
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Cristo Reyes vs Rowby-John Rodriguez
The evening begins with an all-European clash between the Spanish number one Cristo Reyes and the Austrian star Rowby-John Rodriguez with the winner progressing to face the defending champion Rob Cross in the third round.
Rodriguez has already come through a tricky looking tussle with Ricky Evans earlier in the week and he’ll be looking to resurrect what has been a terrible campaign in 2018 with a win here. Reyes is extremely competent on the big stage though and could be due a run in a major event. I think the Spaniard will win this but I’m not convinced there will be much in it come the end so I’m not for betting on this one.
Mervyn King vs Jan Dekker
The second match of the evening sees Mervyn King going up against the conqueror of Lisa Ashton on the opening night in Jan Dekker with both men seeing a huge opportunity in their section with someone under the radar guaranteed a quarter final spot with both top 16 players in it crashing out already.
Dekker was given the fright of his life in the first set by Ashton but you have to give him great credit for not panicking and coming through safely enough in the end. Hopefully from his point of view the poor scheduling hasn’t gone against him. King always gets himself up for the big events but it has been far too long since he was a genuine feature in one of them. I always think stamina is a question with him these days.
King has almost become unbackable on the big stage these days. He doesn’t score heavily enough to overwhelm Dekker and the Dutchman has shown he can finish well. I’m not sure if the match on the stage has helped Dekker given how long ago it was but it certainly can’t have done him any harm. I think there’s a smidgeon of attractiveness in his price here.
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Adrian Lewis vs Ted Evetts
Some people’s dark horse Adrian Lewis is third up on the main stage on Thursday evening when he takes on the Challenge Tour specialist Ted Evetts for the right to face Darius Labanauskas in the third round of the tournament.
Lewis knows all about doing the course and distance here having twice won the tournament before and I’m sure he’ll have himself up for this one. Evetts should be the perfect opponent for Jackpot here as he isn’t an insane scorer and isn’t a renowned finisher either. I expect Lewis to breeze through this. The trouble is so do the bookies which makes this is a no bet match.
Mensur Suljovic vs Ryan Searle
If there is an underachiever on this stage through the years Mensur Suljovic might just be it. He will be looking to put that right this year and he begins his tilt at a first World Championship success by taking on the improving Ryan Searle.
Suljovic should come through this despite his moderate record at this venue. He is scoring decent enough these days and you would back him in a pressure fifth leg given his wonderful finishing ability. Given that hit and miss past here though I think Searle has a chance here. He has the luxury of having played a match on the stage which is a huge thing as we’ve seen throughout the tournament. I still think Searle loses but he can take a set before he goes.
Tips
Back J.Dekker to beat M.King for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with BetVictor
Back him here:
Back M.Suljovic to beat R.Searle and both players to win a set for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Betfred
Back it here:
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