The first round of this latest ITV4-televised major concluded on Friday (click here for full review) so now we're going to focus on tonight's action at the Westfalenhalle which features Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Rob Cross.
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European Championship: Friday October 26
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- TV Coverage: ITV 4 (7pm BST)
- Second Round: Best of 19 legs
Joe Cullen (6/4) v Michael Smith (8/15)
Head-to-head: 7-6
2018 meetings: 1-0
Joe Cullen was my outright tip to win this quarter of the draw at 7/1 (click for pre-tournament preview) and he made an impressive enough start last night with an easy 6-2 win over Jelle Klaasen.
For the purpose of this bet - I have nothing against Michael Smith whatsoever - I was kind of hoping Steve Lennon would stun Bully Boy in round one but he didn't and now Cullen has a tough test on his hands.
That said the Rockstar just about edges their head-to-head record and also beat him in their only meeting this season at the Austrian Darts Open, winning 6-2, so I'm not going to desert him now.
Obviously Smith has a greater pedigree on the live televised stage but as we saw at the World Matchplay, Cullen has the potential to shine under the spotlight too.
Prediction: 10-7
Simon Whitlock (13/5) v Peter Wright (2/7)
Head-to-head: 7-16
2018 meetings: 0-6 (1 draw)
I can't really see a shock in this one, especially given Wright's vastly superior head-to-head record with Whitlock this season which must be playing on the Aussie's mind.
Snakebite has won their last six, with his most recent being a 10-7 victory at September's televised Champions League of Darts while he also thrashed him 16-5 at the World Matchplay.
These battle scars are building up for Whitlock although he averaged over 100 against Steve Beaton last night and won't be feeling bad about his game.
Neither will Wright, however. The Scotsman hit six of his eight darts at a double in a thumping 6-0 victory over Jermaine Wattimena.
Prediction: 6-10
Richard North (7/2) v Rob Cross (1/5)
Head-to-head: 2-0
2018 meetings: 1-0
Richard North caused the only shock of last night's first-round when thrashing the in-form fourth seed Ian White 6-1 and he isn't without a chance of ousting the world champion.
They've only played twice but North has won both, including this season's sole meeting at the European Darts Open back in March, edging it 6-5.
Added to this, Voltage hasn't enjoyed the best of years by his own high standards and struggled to kick on from his Brisbane Darts Masters triumph back in August.
I tipped him to win the Champions League of Darts on the back of this but he failed to get out of the group stage while he also lost to Steve Beaten in the opening round of the World Grand Prix.
I'll be bold and call the shock.
Prediction: 10-7
Michael van Gerwen (1/20) v Steve West (9/1)
Head-to-head: 11-0
2018 meetings: 1-0
As much as I enjoy trying to find reasons for surprise results, this would be pushing it!
Michael van Gerwen is on an 11-match winning streak having won his last two tournaments, including the World Grand Prix, as he emphatically returned to form and last night he averaged 110 in a 6-2 victory over Paul Nicholson.
Steve West is enjoying one of the best years of his career but he's never beaten MVG and I can't see how he'll live with the Dutchman tonight.
You can get 5/4 on MVG winning, hitting the most 180s and hitting the highest checkout so that's the way to go here.
Prediction: 10-4.
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