Michael van Gerwen defends his world title (Picture Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

PDC World Darts Championship: Friday's predictions, odds, betting tips, order of play & TV times

Darts

Fri December 22, 2017 · 8y ago

The second round of the 25th PDC World Darts Championship gets under way today - here's the order of play, our predictions, odds and a suggested acca.

There are six matches today, split over an afternoon and evening session, with Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen both in action tonight.

Below is the evening's full running order, complete with the Sky Bet odds, Chris Hammer's predicted scoreline for each game, his suggested bets and accumulator. You can also click here for his outright bets and here for the full tournament draw, daily schedule and results.

World Darts Championship: Friday December 22

Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets

AFTERNOON SESSION

TV coverage: Sky Sports Darts (1230 GMT)

Second round: (Best of 7 sets)

Gerwyn Price (8/11) v Ian White (11/10)
Gerwyn Price showed us what he's capable of when posting the fifth highest average of the first round - 101.55 - in a 3-0 whitewash over Ted Evetts although he wasn't really pushed too hard by the fazed youngster. I think the most muscular man darts will prevail here but it won't be easy against Ian White. Diamond comfortably survived his test against preliminary-round winner Cody Harris, hitting four 180s and making over 55% of his doubles. I'm going for this match to have over 21.5 legs, a high checkout of over 121.5 and a total of 10.5 180s or more at evens.
Prediction: 4-2
Vincent van der Voort (4/6) v Steve Beaton (6/5)
The timeless throw of Steve Beaton came up trumps on opening night but he heads into this clash as outsider following the resurgent Vincent van der Voort's impressive 3-0 defeat of Dave Chisnall. The veteran Dutchman, who almost quit the sport last year due to injury, averaged close to 100, hit six 180s and nailed over 56% of his doubles and if he plays like that again, the Bronzed Adonis will struggle to stay with him. But can we expect the same again from someone who does tend to blow hot and cold? Beaton leads the head-to-head 9-6, including a 6-1 win earlier this season, so he won't be fazed by this challenge and will relish the chance of reaching the third round here for the first time since 2005 would you believe.
Prediction: 2-4
Jan Dekker (5/4) v Dimitri Van den Bergh (8/13)
World youth champion Dimitri Van den Bergh certainly lived up to all the hype against Stephen Bunting in the first round. And his darts were pretty good too! The dancing Belgian entertained the fans with his moves before and after posting a stunning average of 104.17 during a 3-1 win - despite missing 17 darts at doubles. His consistent scoring power was awesome but that will be irrelevant if he's flaky on his finishing against Jan Dekker, who firmly underlined why he's one of the best double hitters around as he knocked out Jelle Klassen. The ice cool Dutchman hit nine of his 14 attempts at doubles and I fancy him to spring a minor surprise here.
Prediction: 4-2

EVENING SESSION

TV coverage: Sky Sports Darts (1900 GMT)

Second round: (Best of 7 sets)

Mensur Suljovic (1/3) v Robert Thornton (23/10)
Robert Thornton looked a bit more like his old self - and hasn't it been a long wait - during his first-round win over Brendan Dolan, with clinical finishing, a 144 checkout and six 180s. Champions League winner Mensur Suljovic wasn't at his best against Kevin Painter but really didn't need to be. As John Part said on commentary, the disruption of a wasp on stage posed more of a problem than the Artist. The Serbian will be pushed harder here and hopefully we'll see more of his high outs and some 180s of his own in what promises to be an entertaining affair.
Prediction: 4-2
Gary Anderson (1/33) v Paul Lim (11/1)
Paul Lim won the hearts of darts fans across the world - except Mark Webster's close friends and family - during that famous first-round win at the ripe old age of 63. Having made his world championship debut way back in 1982, it really is quite some story to see him play to such a high level, averaging almost 96, hitting six 180s and making over 46% of his doubles. A clash with Gary Anderson isn't as daunting as you may think because earlier this year he teamed up with Harith Lim to shock the Flying Scotsman and Peter Wright at the World Cup of Darts. Paul Lim nit a nerveless 100 checkout to seal the 5-2 doubles victory for Singapore that day and on the other night's evidence, he can definitely pinch a set.
Prediction: 4-1
Michael van Gerwen (1/33) v James Wilson (11/1)
There's little point going into too much detail here - Michael van Gerwen will breeze through although there might be a tad of value going for a 4-1 correct scoreline at 9/4. He dropped a set against Christian Kist in his opening clash - albeit with his opponent playing inspired darts - while Wilson scored well and finished clinically in his clash with Krzysztof Ratajski.
Prediction: 4-1