The second session of action in the World Matchplay on Sunday looks like being a very entertaining one as some of the real heavyweight names come out to play on what is set to be a sizzling evening inside the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Among those on the card for this session are the former champion James Wade, Adrian Lewis, Peter Wright and the world champion Gary Anderson. It wouldn’t be a surprise if we see some of those back on the stage next Sunday evening in the final.
James Wade vs Mervyn King
Two men who are no strangers either to each other or to Blackpool meet in the opening match of the evening when James Wade and Mervyn King look to make it into the second round.
James Wade has been in really good form recently as we highlighted in the outright preview for this tournament but the same can’t really be said for Mervyn King. He hasn’t made a single quarter final on the tour since February which is nowhere near good enough for a man of his ability.
That said we know King is inspired by the big stage and the big events so we shouldn’t read a huge amount into his form on the tour but it would still be a big surprise were Wade not to win this. That said I’m on him outright and rather than guess how many Wade wins by in terms of covering handicaps I’ll settle for a watching brief here.
Adrian Lewis vs Mark Webster
Adrian Lewis begins his World Matchplay quest against a man he has a bit of a hold on in the form of Mark Webster. Lewis lost their last meeting in the World Grand Prix last year but he had won eight of the nine matches they played prior to that.
Having played in the World Series events across the world in the last month or so Lewis is in good shape in terms of match sharpness but it was only a couple of weeks ago that the last tour events were played so Webster shouldn’t be too far behind so this one should play out nicely.
I think Lewis will have too much in terms of scoring power for Webster but if the Welshman can find a few inspired legs on his scoring we know he has the finishing ability to capitalise on that so again I’m reluctant to get involved in handicaps or anything especially when this first round is all about winning and getting into the tournament.
Gary Anderson vs Alan Norris
When the draw for this first round took place one match jumped up off the page and it was this one. Two genuinely powerful scorers will meet in a match which has the potential to be very explosive.
Anderson isn’t just a heavy scorer but he is a good all round player and anyone who watched any of the World Series events earlier in the month will know that he is in excellent form at the present time but I don’t see that bothering Alan Norris who is never short of confident nor belief.
This one should be played at a lovely rhythm which won’t only make it watchable but should live up to expectation too and I expect to see a number of 180s as a result. The total 180s line looks a smidgeon high at 10.5 as Norris does have a tendency to miss doubles which could give the scoreline a more one sided look than it should have but the Norris line looks ok.
That is at 4.5 which is a touch on the low side given how well he scores and how much rhythm he should get throughout this match. We saw in the World Championship how well Norris groups his darts and how he ploughs in the 180s when he gets a good groove. He’ll get that here and should deliver five 180s as a result.
Peter Wright vs Joe Cullen
This has the potential to be another excellent match. Their match in the quarter final of the UK Open was that and since then Joe Cullen has made a couple of tour finals so he arrives in Blackpool in really good form. There is nothing wrong with Wright’s form heading here though so this one could ignite into a really good game of darts.
Unfortunately bookmakers appreciate the rise of Joe Cullen and the lines on pretty much all of the markets are about right here. The 180s is probably one too high for comfort, the handicap is about right although maybe there is a bit of margin on Cullen and both player 180 markets are about right so while I’m looking forward to watching this match I won’t be doing so with a bet on it.
Tips
Back A.Norris Over 4.5 180s for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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