The second day of the World Matchplay is a double header day of action which means we have darts in the afternoon and the evening as the tournament rolls along at pace on what is a busy Sunday at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The tournament is still reeling from the shock defeat of Michael van Gerwen on the opening night of the event. His exit may well tighten everyone up a bit as there is a huge chance of a big TV title for those remaining now.
Afternoon Session
The day gets underway with Darren Webster back on the Blackpool stage. He faces the debutant Steve Lennon who is a good solid player. They are followed by what could be the match of the afternoon when Ian White goes up against Max Hopp. Gerwyn Price has a good record here and he’ll look to enhance that against Joe Cullen and then the afternoon concludes with the World Grand Prix winner Daryl Gurney when he faces Steve West.
Evening Session
Mensur Suljovic gets the honour of opening the show in the evening session. He faces his nemesis Steve Beaton before three really cracking contests as Gary Anderson takes on Stephen Bunting in a battle of the world champions before the current holder of that title, Rob Cross, takes on an in form Mervyn King. The tie of the entire first round wraps up a lengthy and busy day as Raymond Barneveld goes up against Kyle Anderson.
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Afternoon Betting
I’m going with a couple of bets in each session here. The third match of the afternoon looks like being a very close one when Gerwyn Price takes on Joe Cullen. These two look really closely matched to me. Both have big scores in them but you wouldn’t truly trust either on their doubles and perhaps that explains why three of their four meetings have gone to a deciding leg. Whether this one goes that far remains to be seen but you have to think on the evidence of their past meetings there will not be more than a break of throw between them. That should see the over 16.5 legs bet land.
Daryl Gurney has flattered to deceive a little this year. He has only been past the quarter final of any tournament three times this entire year and he’s far too good a player for that sort of record. In some of the European Tour events he has been very flat and quite poor at times so he could be vulnerable against a Steve West who has made the semi-finals of the last two of those European events he has played in. We all remember West beating Taylor at the World Grand Prix and he dumped Michael Smith out here last year so he isn’t fazed by the big names on the big stage. At 9/4 the in form Englishman looks value in this one.
Evening Betting
Moving into the evening and while I’m full of respect for Mensur Suljovic but I can’t ignore his 0-8 head to head record against Steve Beaton. We saw on Saturday evening that a player with a terrible head to head against someone failed to believe he could win when Keegan Brown offered nothing against Dave Chisnall and I wonder if the same will happen here. Beaton should be full of belief in this tournament. Beaton made a couple of semi-finals on the tour last month so he arrives here in outstanding form and should Suljovic have their past record in his head Beaton is perfectly capable of taking him out.
Finally I can’t ignore the awful record of Raymond Barneveld at this venue. He hasn’t been past the last 16 here since 2011 and he has only won one match here in the last three years. This never has been his favourite venue and nothing has changed recently. Kyle Anderson will have a good shot at Barneveld. We know the Australian will match the Dutch legend in the scoring play and if he can pin his doubles properly he’ll give Barneveld a real scare. If Barneveld isn’t on it then he could be facing yet another first round exit. Anderson must be value here at the prices even allowing for him not having the best 2018 so far.
Tips
Back G.Price vs J.Cullen – Over 16.5 legs for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Boylesports
Back it here:
Back S.West to beat D.Gurney for a 3/10 stake at 3.25 with BetVictor
Back him here:
Back S.Beaton to beat M.Suljovic for a 2/10 stake at 4.40 with Betfair
Back him here:
Back K.Anderson to beat R.Barneveld for a 3/10 stake at 2.80 with Unibet
Back him here:
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