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

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It's day two of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with 15-time champion Phil Taylor beginning his campaign in an evening session which also features Raymond van Barnveld.

There are also four games in the afternoon to look forward, with Chris Hammer's flagship outright tip Daryl Gurney in action.

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

Remember you can click here for a player-by-player guide of the full 32-man field and click here for a full in-depth tournament betting preview.  

World Matchplay Darts: Sunday July 23

Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets 
Click here for all the World Matchplay results

Afternoon Session
First Round (Best of 19 - win by two clear legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports Action (1300 BST)
(10) Jelle Klaasen (2/5) v Justin Pipe (2/1)
Our Prediction: 10-7

(14) Robert Thornton (11/10) v Cristo Reyes (8/11)
Our Prediction: 8-10

(15) Benito van de Pas  (11/8) v Daryl Gurney  (4/7)
Our Prediction: 6-10

(7) Mensur Suljovic  (2/9) v John Henderson (100/30)
Our Prediction: 10-4

Evening Session (1900 BST)
(5) Dave Chisnall (2/7) v Mervyn King  (13/5)
Our Prediction: 8-10

(8) Phil Taylor (2/7) v Gerwyn Price  (13/5)
Our Prediction: 10-7

(9) Raymond van Barneveld (1/3) v Joe Cullen (23/10)
Our Prediction: 8-10

(12) Kim Huybrechts (4/7) v Alan Norris (11/8)
Our Prediction: 10-7

 Click here for the full World Matchplay draw, daily schedule & results

Sunday's Best Darts Bets

Daryl Gurney (4/7) & Kim Huybrechts (4/7) both to win

Joe Cullen to beat Raymond van Barneveld at 23/10

Day one saw two seeds tumble - Michael Smith and former champion James Wade - while two of MVG's most likely of title rivals - Gary Anderson and Peter Wright - both struggled against opposition we'd all have expected them to brush aside. 

Today there's plenty more seeds facing tricky opening encounters, not least 15-time champion Phil Taylor against the plucky Welshman Gerwyn Price. I've already said in my player-by-player guide why the Power's "fairytale" pursuit of a 16th title in Blackpool before retirement may well struggle to last more than a couple of pages given his tough draw which starts against the UK Open runner-up. 

Anderson and Wright admitted being tired from all the recent travelling and Price was indeed involved in that trip to Las Vegas while Taylor was resting up at home following a tummy bug. The Power's talent still remains although it shines through most these days when he's fresher - so I think he might get through. But it will be a nervy battle for his fans to endure. 

The dream second-round clash for Taylor would undoubtedly be against Barney and such a fixture could be their last on a big televised stage. However, as much as I'd like to think there are romantic darting script writers, there aren't. 

Sure, he's brilliant on his day but he was one of the big-name players on those back-to-back World Series of Darts trips to Shanghai and Las Vegas and if the aforementioned duo from Scotland have struggled to cope with the schedule then maybe the 50-year-old Dutchman will do.

I've been impressed with Joe Cullen, who has won his two maiden PDC tour titles this season, anyway and would have probably put him up at 23/10 even against a fresh Barney. So now I'm more keen.

I'm going to keep the reasons for my cross-session double - Gurney & Huybrechts - brief because I've explained why I expect them to go deep into the draw in my outright betting preview (click to read) and my player-by-player guide (click to read). Obviously, therefore, I think they'll both win today!

 By Chris Hammer

Click here for an in-depth player-by-player guide & predictions

Check out Chris Hammer's in-depth World Matchplay betting preview