PDC World Darts Championship: Day three predictions, betting tips, acca, order of play and TV time
The William Hill World Darts Championship continues on Friday with two sessions so here's Carl Fletcher's match-by-match predictions, best bets and a suggested acca.
Former world champion Peter Wright begins his Ally Pally campaign tonight and Paul Lim makes his 26th world championship appearance while there are six other matches taking place. We preview of them all...
Darts betting tips: World Championship day three
1pt Ryan Joyce to win, hit over 2.5 180s & checkout over 96.5 at 7/4 (Sky Bet)
1pt Krzysztof Ratajski to win the match & Steve Lennon most 180s at 7/2 (General)
1pt Ross Smith to win, hit most 180s and the highest checkout at 6/4 (General)
Friday December 17: Afternoon session
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports (1230 GMT)
- Format: Best of five sets (Rounds 1 and 2)
SL Acca: Wattimena & Ratajski to win, Wright to win (-1.5 Sets) & R.Smith Over 3.5 180’s at 9/4 with Sky Bet
Ryan Joyce v Roman Benecky (R1)
- Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- PDC Three-Dart Average (2021): 92.74 – N/A
- PDC 180’s per leg (2021): 0.19 – N/A
- PDC Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 43.08% – N/A
- PDC 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 12.78 % – N/A
Ryan Joyce comes into this warm favourite against the Czech youngster Roman Benecky who came through the East European Qualifier to earn his spot here and make his PDC World Championship debut.
We did see a glimpse of Benecky at the World Cup of Darts in 2018 when he partnered Karen Sedlacek - who he incidentally beat in the East Europe Qualifier final - in an opening round 5-3 defeat to England. In that aforementioned final he averaged 86.26 to win 6-2, scoring well with a 100.20 first nine dart average and hitting 54.55% of his doubles.
Talking of doubles, that’s where Ryan Joyce comes to the fore. On stage in 2021 he’s hit 43.08% of them and that’s where he really lives up to his ‘Relentless’ nickname. He’s also a very good 100+ checkout hitter, winning nearly 13% of his legs through this method this year. His scoring has never been the most powerful but his seasonal average is a steady 92.74.
We saw glimpses of how good he can be on his day when he registered a 108.11 average and defeated Rowby-John Rodriguez 5-1 at the Grand Slam of Darts. He came through a tough group before losing 10-4 to Rob Cross in the Last 16.
He reached the Quarter-Final on debut here in 2019, eventually losing to MVG 5-1 and last year he came through this round 3-2 defeating the aforementioned Karel Sedlacek before losing 3-0 to Krzysztof Ratajski in the second round.
I think his consistency will be enough for him to prevail here, perhaps a little easier than he did last year.
Predicted Scoreline: 3-1
Keane Barry v Royden Lam (R1)
- Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- PDC Three-Dart Average (2021): 91.54 – N/A
- PDC 180’s per leg (2021): 0.19 – N/A
- PDC Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 32.95% – N/A
- PDC 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.65 % – N/A
Young Irish star Keane Barry will be making his third visit to Ally Pally for the World Championships and will be hoping to get his first victory here after defeats in the opening round to experienced campaigners Vincent Van Dee Voort and Jeff Smith.
Royden Lam would also fall under that category and like Barry this will also be his third appearance in the PDC World Championship and searching for his first victory. He came through the Hong Kong qualifier, surviving two match darts in the final to be here where he averaged 81.37.
On his most recent appearance in 2019 he lost 3-0 to Danny Noppert in the opening round, averaging in the mid-80’s. His other appearance was way back in 2014 when he lost to Wes Newton 3-1, averaging 83.45.
Barry has performed better than Lam on his two previous visits here averaging 91.72 and 88.11 but we all know he’s capable of much better. He has a seasonal average of 91.54 which is fine but his doubles on stage may need to improve, they’re 32.95% currently for 2021. When you’re in search of your first victory and starting favourite you don’t want to be messing around.
I think experienced Lam will push Barry here, possibly to a last set decider.
Predicted Scoreline: 3-2
Jermaine Wattimena v Boris Koltsov (R1)
- Head to Head (TV): 1-2 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- Three-Dart Average (2021): 91.9 – 87.65
- 180’s per leg (2021): 0.17 – 0.18
- Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 33.33% – 41.38%
- 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 13.44 % – 15.18%
A match between two tour card holders although Koltsov once again came through the EADC qualifier to be here.
The pair have met thrice before and it’s the Russian, Koltsov who leads the Head to Head 2-1. Wattimena won their most recent clash but all three of these previous meetings were back in 2019.
‘Machine Gun’ as Wattimena is known is appearing in the Worlds for the seventh time with his Last 32 run last year being the third time he’s exited at that stage. This will be Koltsov fifth appearance with his Last 64 in 2015 being his best effort, back when there were prelim games.
Looking at the seasonal stats it’s Wattimena who boasts the higher average at 91.90 compared to Koltsovs 87.65. The Dutchman has experienced a mixed bag of results lately winning 5 of his last 11 matches but that’s better than his Russian counterpart who has lost 11 of his last 14.
Neither of these are big 180 hitters, although Koltsov can be the better hitter of them when in the groove. I expect a nervy affair here with Wattimena coming out in top.
Predicted Scoreline: 3-1
Krzysztof Ratajski v Steve Lennon (R2)
- Head to Head (TV): 3-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- Three-Dart Average (2021): 96.77 – 92.7
- 180’s per leg (2021): 0.25 – 0.21
- Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 36.8% – 33.33%
- 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 10.19 % – 9.87%
Irishman Lennon opened his World Championship campaign with an impressive and steady performance to defeat Madars Razma 3-1 yesterday.
It was very much a performance we’ve come to expect from him with his main asset his consistency as he threw less than 3% stray darts on the scoring segments of Treble 20 and Treble 19. Along with a 1st 9 average of 101.41 and seven 180’s it was going to take a good performance to beat him.
Beforehand that match was tough to call as they boasted similar credentials and he came into this event with just one win in his last twelve matches. There was no sign of lack of confidence though and he efficiently got the job done.
Ratajski on the other hand had won the final Players Championship event of the season on the floor and comes into this in decent enough form albeit he’ll be disappointed with his Players Championship Finals and Grand Slam Of Darts showings, in fact his last three matches he’s averaged less than 90. His seasonal stats show him to be a much better player than that however. He has a seasonal average of 96.77 and his 171+ per leg ratio is 0.30 per leg.
He went all the way to the Quarters in this event last year and to back this up in 2021 he’s reached the Quarter Finals of the UK Open and Semi-Finals of both the World Matchplay and World Series of Darts Finals.
These pair have not met since 2019 and it was Ratajski who prevailed 6-1 back then in the Players Championship Finals. He’s also won their only other two meetings, all of which have been on stage and the leg count is 18-5 in his favour.
I expect him to have too much overall for Lennon but the underdog is capable have pinching a set here.
Predicted Scoreline: 3-1
Evening session
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports (1900 GMT)
- Format: Best of five sets (Rounds 1 and 2)
Joe Murnan v Paul Lim (R1)
- Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- PDC Three-Dart Average (2021): 91.61 – N/A
- PDC 180’s per leg (2021): 0.2 – N/A
- PDC Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 30.3% – N/A
- PDC 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.35 % – N/A
Paul Lim needs no introduction and will surely have the backing of a raucous crowd here despite facing Englishman Joe Murnan.
Is this...yes
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) December 17, 2021
The best...yes
Nine-darter ever...YES
32 years after doing this, Paul Lim is back for his 26th World Championship tonight and at the age of almost 68, he's the oldest ever competitor. Legend.pic.twitter.com/O6U1xIhZRh
Singapore Qualifier Lim will be making his 14th appearance in the PDC Worlds and he rolled back the years in the 2021 edition to cause quite the shock when beating strongly fancied Luke Humphries 3-2 in the opening round albeit rather fortuitously. He was no match for Dimitri Van Den Bergh in the next round however as he succumbed 3-0.
He came through the Singapore Qualifier final 5-3 defeating his World Cup of Darts partner Harith Lim with an average of 86.37.
Joe Murnan is a qualifier here through the Pro Tour Order of Merit seasonal average is 91.61. He started the season playing some terrific stuff averaging 100+ five times in his opening nine matches but only picking up three victories.
He’s actually failed to register another 100+ average since but we’ve seen some good stuff at times. He qualified for both Euro Tour events held this year, exiting in the Last 32 of both events later on. He also reached the Last 16 of Players Champion event 22 before losing to Martin Schindler. Since that event he’s regressed slightly winning just seven of his last 20 matches.
Whilst you’d have to say Murnan is probably playing to the higher standard the crowd could become all important here. With that in mind it’s not a match I’d want to get involved with too much but I think Liam could sneak it.
Predicted Scoreline: 2-3
William Borland v Bradley Brooks (R1)
- Head to Head (TV): 2-1 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- Three-Dart Average (2021): 90.34 – 88.48
- 180’s per leg (2021): 0.17 – 0.2
- Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 33.33% – 33.33
- 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 12.37% – 12.66%
A game between two players we may see more of in the future, particularly former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks.
Brooks who recently appeared at the Grand Slam of Darts performed well. He came through a group featuring Mervyn King, Jonny Clayton and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez before losing a feisty affair 10-8 to Gerwyn Price.
He also performed very well last year despite losing 3-2 in a high quality match versus Dirk Van Duijvenbode. He came out the blocks flying and it took a blistering response from his Dutch opponent to fight back from 2-0 to win 3-2.
He’s had a couple of good runs on the floor too, to reach the Last 16 twice and he qualified for the first Euro Tour event of the year defeating Adrian Lewis 6-5 in the first round being the highlight. His season average of 88.88 is lower than you probably expect from him but we know he can certainly up it.
Borland also claimed a notable scalp in front of the cameras back in October in the European Championship as he disposed of Simon Whitlock 6-3.
Like Brooks he’s had good moments too. He also qualified for the first Euro Tour event winning both his opening matches before having to withdraw before his Last 16 scheduled match. He’s also reached the Last 16 in three Players Championship events.
His seasonal seasonal average is slightly better than Brooks at 90.34, his 180 per leg ratio is just 0.17, compared to Brooks 0.20 and both are 33.33% on the doubles. This looks on paper to be a close contest. I’m going for Brooks to edge it with the little touch of star quality being the difference.
Predicted Scoreline: 2-3
Ross Smith v Jeff Smith (R1)
- Head to Head (TV): 2-1 (0-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 2-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
- Three-Dart Average (2021): 95.41 – 89.53
- 180’s per leg (2021): 0.32 – 0.09
- Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 50% – 33.33%
- 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 13.04 % – 11.42%
This has the makings of a good game between two seasoned pro’s.
Ross has had a breakthrough season winning his maiden PDC title and also finishing runner-up on two other occasions. Jeff on the other hand has had to be selective recently due to scheduling of events and travel restrictions. He’s actually skipped six of the last ten floor events.
He did fly over for the Players Championship finals where he lost in the opening round 6-2 to Nathan Aspinall who averaged 100.49 against him. What we have seen of him since October has been decent with him winning 8 of his last 14 matches.
The former BDO runner up is averaging 89.53 for 2021 and he lost 3-2 to Chris Dobey here last year in a superb contest. He faces a player of similar ilk to Dobey in Ross Smith.
Ross is a massive 180 hitter at 0.32 per leg, in stark contrast to Jeff at 0.09 and his seasonal average of 95.41 dwarfs that of his Canadian opponent. He really has looked top class at times this year, at one stage averaging higher than his opponent in 31 of 36 matches.
He easily brushed aside David Evans 3-0 in the opening round last year before losing 3-1 to Jose De Sousa in round two.
The match treble is on the cards here, something Ross has managed in 22% of his matches this year, especially when you factor in that his average high check out this season is 99 compared to Jeff's 87.
Predicted Scoreline: 3-1
Peter Wright v Ryan Meikle (R2)
- Head to Head (TV): 4-1 (1-0)
- 2021 Head to Head (TV): 1-0 (0-0)
- 2021 Titles (TV): 6-0 (2-0)
- Three-Dart Average (2021): 97.59 – 91.81
- 180’s per leg (2021): 0.31 – 0.18
- Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 39.75% – 44.44%
- 100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.9% – 15.92%
Big Ipswich Town fan Ryan Meikle defeated 16 year old Fabian Schmutzler 3-0 last night but the Scoreline doesn’t tell you everything. Whilst it was a fairly routine victory for ‘The Barber’ his opponent performed creditably and had darts to win 50% of the legs.
Ryan did score very well however and had a first nine dart average of 108.36. He could improve his doubling which was 33.33% but it was a solid enough start as he managed to get his first victory on the Ally Pally stage.
Since returning to action in October there’s been an improvement in his game. He had a good run the Quarter-Finals of Players Championship event 25 and in the Players Championship Finals he defeated Dirk Van Duijvenbode 6-5 with an 108.76 average.
He might need to reach those standards if the A game version of Peter Wright turns up. ‘Snakebite’ of course won the Players Championship Finals despite not being at his best, he just did the right thing at the right time. He didn’t average 100+ once but he did enough and in darts that’s all you can ask for.
He was of course vintage throughout the Matchplay as he won that titles his year. It was darting perfection throughout, he was simply untouchable as he averaged 104+ for the entire event and never looked in trouble.
In defence of his crown here last year he was defeated by Gabriel Clemens in the third round despite averaging 101.50, he’ll be hoping to regain that Sid Waddell Trophy this year and with perhaps not the pressure of being defending champion this time he might just do that. No one has won more than him this year with six titles to his name plus the World Cup of Darts success representing Scotland.
These pair met in a high quality match in June where both players averaged over a ton as Wright ran out a 6-4 winner. I don’t envisage this one being as close, in fact I can see ‘Snakebite’ winning this without dropping a set.
Predicted Scoreline: 3-0
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