The second round at the World Matchplay gets under way on Tuesday night so here's the full order of play, match-by-match predictions, Sky Bet odds and a fancied accumulator.
Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld do battle in what promises to be a thriller while Michael van Gerwen's conqueror Jeffrey De Zwaan is hoping to continue his dream run against a revitalised Adrian Lewis.
Below we have the full running order of all four games, Chris Hammer's match-by-match previews & predictions as well as his main suggested bets and accumulator.
Tuesday's suggested darts tips
- Michael Smith to win and over 13.5 total 180s in the match at 9/4
- Over 11.5 180s and three or more 100+ checkouts in Gurney v Cullen at 7/2
- Jeffrey De Zwaan to beat Adrian Lewis at 11/5
- Anderson to beat Barney & hit most 180s at 11/10
Click here to back these selections with Sky Bet
Tuesday's darts acca
- Smith, De Zwaan & Anderson all to win at 5/1 (Click to back with Sky Bet)
World Matchplay: Tuesday July 24
Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports (7pm BST)
- Second Round: Best of 21 legs
Dave Chisnall (2/1) v Michael Smith (2/5)
Head-to-head: 6-7 (1 draw)
2018 meetings: 2-0
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – this is Michael Smith’s year to win a big TV major and why not this week?
We’re not just talking about him as a player with big potential anymore and his Premier League season proved he’s properly arrived, while he’s also won three events this year.
That’s why I tipped him at 33/1 each-way before a dart was thrown and I’m certainly not going to desert him now against an inconsistent Dave Chisnall, who thrashed Keegan Brown in the first round but he wasn’t tested at all.
My bet for this one is Smith to win and there being 14 or more 180s in the match as we know both men are good for plenty of maximums.
Prediction: 7-11
Daryl Gurney (8/13) v Joe Cullen (5/4)
Head-to-head: 3-5
2018 meetings: 1-0
Daryl Gurney should be back home by now – and he as good as admitted that himself after Steve West missed 11 match darts against him in the first round.
But what a great place to be in? Instead of licking your wounds and regroup for the next tournament, he’s still in this one and can only improve!
Joe Cullen ruthless disposed of a poor Gerwyn Price and he seems ready for a belated good run on TV that his talents deserve.
Whoever wins it’s going to be a quality showdown so I’m backing there being over 11.5 180s in the match and three or more 100+ checkouts.
Prediction: 8-11
Jeffrey De Zwaan (11/5) v Adrian Lewis (4/11)
Head-to-head: 1-7
2018 meetings: 1-2
In Saturday’s preview I warned you why Jeffrey de Zwaan could beat MVG at 14/1 so I obviously wasn’t shocked he did.
However, the last time he beat Van Gerwen at this year’s UK Open, his next match was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show as he bowed out to Paul Hogan.
It mentally takes a lot out of anyone to defeat MVG but the difference here is that he’s had two full days of rest between matches.
And as much as it’s good to see Adrian Lewis back on the rise, he took a while to get going against James Wilson and I don’t think this young Dutchman will let him off the hook if it happens again.
Prediction: 11-9
Gary Anderson (1/3) v Raymond van Barneveld (23/10)
Head-to-head: 22-18 (3 draws)
2018 meetings: 1-1 (1 draw)
Noone needs me to tell them this could be a classic.
I said in Sunday’s preview that I don't like backing Barney when he’s favourite because you just can’t predict which Barney will turn up.
However, a match against Gary Anderson live on TV should obviously bring the best out of him even though he’s lost their previous three meetings in big majors.
In this year’s Premier League Barney played superbly in a 7-3 win while the other meeting was a classic 6-6 draw in which he missed five match darts.
In terms of desire, they are both chasing their first World Matchplay title but Barney is perhaps a little too desperate to end his long wait for another big major and that’s why I think Anderson will keep his cool the best.
I'll keep this bet simple and go with Anderson to win with the most 180s.
Prediction: 11-9
