The knockout stages of the Grand Slam of Darts begin in Wolverhampton tonight so here's the full order of play, predictions, Sky Bet odds and suggested accumulator.
So we're now into the last 16 of this year's Grand Slam of Darts and tonight there's four matches featuring Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic and the BDO's Glen Durrant.
Here, we have tonight's full running order, the Sky Bet odds, Chris Hammer's predicted scoreline for each game, his suggested bets and accumulator. You can also click here to look back at the group standings and full tournament schedule.
Grand Slam of Darts: Wednesday November 15
Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Action/Main Event (7pm)
Second Round (Best of 19 legs)
- Mensur Suljovic (1/20) v Berry van Peer (9/1)
This is very awkward match in which to try and find a bet. Mensur Suljovic is the red-hot favourite for obvious reasons although Berry van Peer did manage to bravely defy his dartitis on Monday night to edge out Cameron Menzies and secure a place in the last 16. After a day of rest, he may well be in a better place to make this closer than one would imagine and, as we saw with Menzies, the circumstances does not exactly make life easier for his opponent. Suljovic will be in the unusual situation of playing an even slower game than he's used to, and that could bring his lofty standards down somewhat. I'm going to swerve a bet on this.
Prediction: 10-4 - Glen Durrant (BDO) (4/6) v Dave Chisnall (6/5)
I sense what would be deemed a minor shock in this one. The BDO world champion is fully deserving of the high praise he's received having reached the knockout stages for the second year running thanks to a couple of very good performances to beat Peter Wright and Alan Norris, averaging well over 100 in both. However, his levels dropped off to allow Corey Cadby to beat him in his final group game while it was at this stage last year where he fell short against a long-standing star of the PDC in Raymond van Barneveld 10-7. Although Chizzy has struggled to find his peak form this season, he remains highly dangerous especially if he can get a few early 180s in the bank while his greater experience of dealing with the pressures of longer format matches on this kind of major televised stage should help. He knows the bottom half of the draw gives him an great opportunity to go close to his first major TV title - or at least a place in the final - and boy does he need it given the battle for Premier League places next year.
Prediction: 6-10 - Gary Anderson (1/4) v Michael Smith (3/1)
These two good pals are going to serve up a feast of 180s tonight and if Michael Smith can maintain the momentum he built during the group stages, then he's also going to push Gary Anderson close. Bully Boy, who was mentored by the two-time world champion during his early years on the circuit, currently heads the leaderboard of maximums hit with 11 having managed five in each of his last two games, while his finishing has been pretty hot too. He averaged 105 in a thrilling win over BDO number one Mark McGeeney to reach the last 16 while his only defeat came down to a decider against Mensur Suljovic. Anderson is also looking very good indeed, nailing five 180s in a 5-2 win over Simon Whitlock a day after averaging 111.79 against troubled Berry van Peer. He's won their last four meetings over the past couple of seasons but a fifth won't come easy.
Prediction: 10-7 - Stephen Bunting (13/5) v Peter Wright (2/7)
Peter Wright survived a huge scare to reach this point after Alan Norris missed a match dart to knock him out on Monday night, but now the longer format will suit Snakebite and he should have enough quality to get the job done. Stephen Bunting did win all his group games with three very solid displays although it could have been a different story had Jeffrey de Zwaan converted his match dart in the opener. He capitalised on a poor show from Chizzy on Sunday while he was taken to the wire by Scott Mitchell of the BDO in his final match, so there's not been much to suggest he'll produce the standard needed on a consistent basis to beat Wright in best-of-19.
Prediction: 6-10
Wednesday's suggested darts bets
- Dave Chisnall to beat Glen Durrant & hit most 180s at 2/1
- Anderson v Smith to have over 15.5 legs and 15 or more 180s at 7/1
