The 2019 version of the World Cup of Darts gets underway in Hamburg on Thursday evening with the bottom half of the draw plays their first round matches on what has the potential of being a dramatic night out in the German city.
We have to wait until the second night of action for the defending champions Netherlands and the favourites England to join the party but we have the likes of Scotland, Wales, Belgium and Northern Ireland to entertain us on the first day.
Early Matches
The tournament kicks off with Gibraltar in action. They take on our outside bet for the tournament in the form of Japan before our first seeded nation takes to the stage. That is Northern Ireland who face the potentially awkward test of South Africa. New Zealand then take to the stage to attempt to find a rare win when they go up against Lithuania before the second of the seeded teams playing on the first night are in action when Belgium face Hong Kong.
Later Matches
There is always a lot of talk about Brazil in this tournament, partly because Diogo Portela seems a likeable chap but also because it is a weird darting nation. They get their campaign up and running against Sweden before Wales look to launch their title bid when they go up against the popular Paul Lim and partner from Singapore. The tournament hosts are in action in the penultimate match of the night when they take on Hungary in a match they should win. The action concludes with Scotland going up against Denmark.
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Betting
The first round of this tournament is rarely easy to bet on because there are a lot of one-sided looking matches and while we know from previous years that format is designed for shocks we are starting to see them fewer and far between with established nations getting used to what the event holds. With that in mind I’m going to take a small bet on one team to hopefully nail some early profit.
In terms of darting prowess I’m not sure what would be the shock when New Zealand take on Lithuania but I’m backing the latter to come through and win. In Darius Labanauskas they have the best player of the four on stage and that shouldn’t be underestimated even allowing for the notion that you are only as good as your weakest player. I’m not expecting many 12 dart legs from New Zealand so if Labanauskas scores to potential he’ll be the one starting the leg and having the first go to finish it. That allows his class to shine and at 6/5 they look a fair price to see off a New Zealand who have a terrible record in this tournament.
Tips
Back Lithuania to beat New Zealand for a 3/10 stake at 2.20 with Bet365
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