World Darts Championship: Day two predictions, odds, betting tips, accas, order of play & TV times
The full order of play, match-by-match predictions, Sky Bet odds and a suggested acca for day two of the PDC World Darts Championship.
Two correct scorelines and the even-money best bet came in during the afternoon while Friday's 9/1 treble is still alive.
Read also
- World Darts Championship draw & schedule
- Chris Hammer's tournament best bets & preview
- John Part's predictions & best bets
- Listen to the Sporting Life Darts Podcast
Here, I'll run through tonight's four games while you can still find out what I wrote about the afternoon action below.
World Darts Championship: Friday December 14
AFTERNOON SESSION
Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports (1230 GMT)
- First/Second Round: Best of five sets
Michael Barnard (2/7) v Jose De Sousa (13/5)
Head-to-head: N/A
2018 Meetings: N/A
PDC Titles in 2018: 0-0
Career PDC Titles: 0-0
Michael Barnard qualified for his second World Championship - 10 years after his first believe it or not - due to a solid season on the Pro Tour.
He's claimed wins over the likes of James Wade (twice), Jonny Clayton, Darren Webster, James Wilson, Kim Huybrechts and Krzysztof Ratajski this season so he's a worthy favourite to beat a player who is also set for his second appearance here - seven years after his first.
Jose De Sousa won the South-West Europe Qualifier to be here but I'll cautious predict a win for the 42-year-old from Romford.
Prediction: 3-1
Alan Tabern (1/1) v Raymond Smith (4/5)
Head-to-head:
2018 Meetings:
PDC Titles in 2018:
Career PDC Titles:
Raymond Smith is the top man in Australian darts right now having topped the DPA Order of Merit and anyone who paid close attention to the World Series of Darts this year will remember him thrashing Michael Smith 6-1 in Brisbane, averaging almost 100.
He's priced up as favourite although it is his first appearance on this stage and that could just give Alan Tabern an edge on his long-awaited return to Alexandra Palace.
The 53-year-old from St Helens has never lost a first round match at the World Championship in seven previous visits - but the last of those was back in 2012.
Tabern's steady performances on the Pro Tour in the first half of the year effectively sealed his spot here but his results have dropped off since then so this one is very tough to call.
Prediction: 3-2
Paul Nicholson (2/7) v Kevin Burness (13/5)
Head-to-head: 3-0
2018 Meetings: 2-0
PDC Titles in 2018: 0-0
Career PDC Titles:
It wasn't too long ago when Paul Nicholson was making a name for himself with his on-stage 'bad boy' persona and even managing to ruffle the feathers of the likes of Phil Taylor, who he famously beat en route to winning his sole major title at the 2010 Players Championship.
However he's only played in four TV tournaments since he last qualified for the World Championship in 2015 due to a slump in form but in a recent interview with yours truly, he revealed how his work as a pundit and commentator has actually helped his confidence on and off the oche.
The Asset is hungry to be primarily known as an entertaining player again but is trying not to think about the reward of a second-round meeting against Gary Anderson tonight.
Nicholson has a good record against Kevin Burness and even beat him 6-0 this season so you can understand why he's favourite.
Prediction: 3-1
Jamie Lewis (1/2) v Cody Harris (13/8)
Head-to-head:
2018 Meetings:
PDC Titles in 2018:
Career PDC Titles:
Cody Harris moved over to the UK from New Zealand this year to compete on the PDC circuit and his decision has now been vindicated after beating Martin Schindler in a five-set thriller last night.
The prize money gained from his first victory on this stage will be a huge boost to his career but there's no reason why he can't earn more when he faces Jamie Lewis.
His Welsh opponent was one of the stars of last year's event when producing some fabulous darts en route to the semi-finals but in truth he's not really delivered much since.
That said he did beat both Dimitri van den Bergh and Rob Cross at the recent World Series of Darts Finals so maybe he's coming back into form at just the right time?
Prediction: 3-2
EVENING SESSION
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports (1900 GMT)
- First/Second Round: Best of five sets
Danny Noppert (2/7) v Royden Lam (13/5)
Head-to-head: N/A
2018 Meetings: N/A
PDC Titles in 2018: 1-0
Career PDC Titles: 1-0
Former Lakeside runner-up Danny Noppert has enjoyed a pretty impressive debut season on the PDC circuit, winning a maiden title on the Pro Tour and then reaching the semi-finals of the recent Players Championship Finals.
At just 27 he's got a bright future in this sport and he could be a dangerous outsider in this section of the draw - but expect him to be given a real test by Royden Lam.
The 43-year-old from Hong Kong is one of the top players on the PDC's Asia Tour while he recently won the biggest soft tip tournament of them all - as John Part informed me during our pre-tournament Podcast - while he also picked up a win over Gary Anderson at the Shanghai Darts Masters.
Prediction: 3-2
Simon Stevenson (6/5) v Ted Evetts (4/6)
Head-to-head: 1-1
2018 Meetings: 0-0
PDC Titles in 2018: 0-0
Career PDC Titles: 0-0
This is one of those matches where you may as well go with the outsider.
Ted Evetts, 21, is a real prospect and has enjoyed some impressive results on the PDC Development Tour which ultimately sealed his spot at Alexandra Palace, where he lost in the first round to Gerwyn Price last year.
Despite being over double Evetts' age at 46, this is also Stevenson's second appearance here but he qualified on the back of a number of solid displays on the Pro Tour.
I can't call this one to be honest so I'll go with the aforementioned strategy!
Prediction: 3-2
Chris Dobey (1/4) v Boris Koltsov (3/1)
Head-to-head:
2018 Meetings:
PDC Titles in 2018:
Career PDC Titles:
No qualms with Chris Dobey being such a short favourite here especially given his recent results which has seen him return to form after a rather 'meh' season.
He reached his second Pro Tour final of the season in September before losing to Krzysztof Ratajski while he knocked Dave Chisnall and James Wade out of the Players Championship Finals before his run was enved by eventual champion Daryl Gurney in the quarters.
Russia's Boris Koltsov is here by virtue of being the EADC Champion but that won't faze Dobey.
Prediction: 3-1
Gary Anderson (1/50) v Paul Nicholson/Kevin Burness (14/1)
Head-to-head: -
2018 Meetings: -
PDC Titles in 2018:
Career PDC Titles:
I don't really think it matters who Gary Anderson plays although if Paul Nicholson can win well, it may give the Flying Scotsman something to think about.
I'll add to this preview following the afternoon session.
Prediction: N/A
Friday's suggested darts bets
- Royden Lam (-1.5 sets) to beat Danny Noppert at 5/4
- Jamie Lewis to win & hit most 180s at evens
- Click here to place your bets
Friday's darts accas
- Tabern, Lam (+1.5 sets) & Stevenson at 9/1
- Click here to build your acca
Schedule for Saturday December 15
Saturday December 15
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Richard North v Robert Marijanovic (R1)
- Mickey Mansell v Jim Long (R1)
- Josh Payne v Jeff Smith (R1)
- Max Hopp v Noppert/Lam (R2)
Evening Session (1900)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Toni Alcinas v Craig Ross (R1)
- Ryan Searle v Stephen Burton (R1)
- Keegan Brown v Karel Sedlacek (R1)
- Michael van Gerwen v Tabern/Ray Smith (R2)
Full World Championship draw and schedule
Related Darts Content
MOST READ
Next Off
Fixtures & Results
