World Matchplay Darts: Day five predictions, odds, betting tips, order of play & TV time

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It's day five of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with 15-time champion Phil Taylor up against his old rival Raymond van Barneveld in what promises to be an emotional 'El Clasico' of darts.

It could turn out to be their final meeting on a televised major stage as the Power heads towards his retirement at the end of the season while defending champion Michael van Gerwen is also in action against Simon Whitlock.

Here, we have tonight's full running order, the Sky Bet odds, our predicted scoreline for each game and a best bet of the night.

World Matchplay Darts: Wednesday July 26

Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets
Click here for all the World Matchplay results 
Second Round: Best of 21 legs
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Main Event from 1900 BST  

(5) Dave Chisnall (1/3) v Alan Norris (23/10)
Our prediction: 11-8

(4) Adrian Lewis (4/7)  v Rob Cross (11/8)
Our prediction: 6-11

(1) Michael van Gerwen (1/16) v (16) Simon Whitlock (15/2)
Our prediction: 11-3

(8) Phil Taylor (4/6) v (9) Raymond van Barneveld (6/5)
Our prediction: 11-7

  * Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth additional leg is sudden-death 

Wednesday's best darts bet

Rob Cross to beat Adrian Lewis at 11/8

The second match on the card looks like the best chance of a shock at the World Matchplay this evening.

Rob Cross may not be the most well-known player in the draw but he's enjoyed a great season with two Players Championship titles to his name and he's one of the few men to get the better of Michael van Gerwen recently, 6-2 in the HappyBet European Darts Open last month. 

Adrian Lewis is Cross' opponent in Blackpool this evening and I'm keen to take on Jackpot as he returns to action following an operation on a torn muscle in his lower back at the start of the the month.

He won his first match back against Steve Beaton on Monday night but despite finishing well his scoring wasn't of his usual standard and the 10-7 wasn't too comfortable.

Afterwards he admitted he hasn't been able to practise much over the last two weeks because the recovery time is usually six to 10 weeks - and that his main objective is to get some belief back.

Cross, by contrast, is brimming with confidence right now and dealt with the big stage better than I anticipated in his first-round win over Ian White.

Basically, this match has come at just the right time for Cross and odds-on favourite Lewis is well worth taking on.

By Chris Hammer