World Matchplay Darts: Wednesday predictions, odds, betting tips, order of play & TV times
The second round of the World Matchplay concludes on Wednesday night so here's the full order of play, match-by-match predictions, Sky Bet odds and a fancied accumulator.
World champion Rob Cross, Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic and James Wade are all favourites to book their places in the quarter-finals - but will there be any upsets?
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.
Wednesday's suggested darts tips
- Wade to win, score over 3.5 180s & have a checkout of over 100.5 at 15/8
- Suljovic to win & White to hit most 180s at 2/1
- Cross (-4.5 legs) to beat Webster at 6/4
- Huybrechts to beat Wright at 13/5
Click here to back these selections with Sky Bet
Wednesday's darts acca
- Suljovic, Cross & Huybrechts all to win at 5.6/1 (Click to back with Sky Bet)
World Matchplay: Wednesday July 25
Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports (7pm BST)
- Second Round: Best of 21 legs
Simon Whitlock (11/8) v James Wade (4/7)
Head-to-head: 21-17
2018 meetings: 0-2
I raved about James Wade's recent 'renaissance' in my pre-tournament preview, tipping him up at 33/1 each-way for the title as well as 4/1 to win his quarter of the draw.
However, he didn't play anywhere near his best against Jermaine Wattimena in a very scrappy contest that went into extra-time - although it must be said he's always had that admirable quality of knowing how to win ugly.
Maybe we can put some of the blame down to the ridiculous rapid fire style of the Machine Gun and a clash against someone of Simon Whitlock's steadier pace will suit him better.
He's beaten the Wizard in both of their meetings this year, including at the high profile Masters event back in January, and while one shouldn't underestimate the easy to underestimate Aussie, I reckon he'll come through.
I'm liking the 15/8 on the Machine to win, score over 3.5 180s and have a checkout of over 100.5.
Prediction: 7-11
Mensur Suljovic (1/2) v Ian White (13/8)
Head-to-head: 5-3
2018 meetings: 0-0
Mensur Suljovic finally broke his duck against Steve Beaton at the ninth time of asking on Sunday and I fancy him to reach his third World Matchplay quarter-final.
The Austrian bounced back from his incredibly unlucky Premier League relegation (his performances deserved so much better didn't they?!) by winning a maiden World Series of Darts as well as the inaugural Danish Darts Open last month so he'll quietly fancy his chances of going deep in Blackpool.
The last time he met Ian White, who does have a pretty solid record of reaching major quarter-finals without going any further, was at last year's World Grand Prix and he came through that 2-1.
While I'm siding with Suljovic to win, he's not exactly prolific on his 180s and the way White was firing them in against Max Hopp, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Diamond manage more maximums. That alternative double is 2/1.
Prediction: 11-7
Rob Cross (2/9) v Darren Webster (10/3)
Head-to-head: 2-0
2018 meetings: 1-0
Rob Cross was my main pick to win the World Matchplay before a dart was thrown so it goes without saying I think he'll have too much for Darren Webster.
Not that the Demolition Man doesn't pose a threat, but Voltage is looking much more his world champion self than he was earlier this season and his 10-5 triumph over Mervyn King was one of the best first-round performances in Blackpool.
He'll want to win impressively with the minimum of fuss once again to stay relatively rested for the tougher matches that lie in wait so I'm going to back him at -4.5 legs in the handicap market at 6/4.
Prediction: 11-5
Peter Wright (2/7) v Kim Huybrechts (13/5)
Head-to-head: 16-10
2018 meetings: 1-1
Kim Huybrechts finally won a match on the Winter Gardens stage at the seventh attempt and he'll be hoping the London Buses make their way up north to Blackpool.
The Hurricane will certainly be able to play without that same mental block which so nearly cost him against John Henderson, missing four match darts before finally getting over the line in a sudden death leg. But only after his opponent had missed tops for victory.
"It's never easy playing under such huge pressure but I'm so happy to win and now I'm going to enjoy this moment," said the Belgian and we all know how a happy, relaxed Huybrechts can play.
Peter Wright has endured a disappointing season by his high standards but while he did wake up the crowd with a 170 checkout out of nowhere against Jelle Klaasen, the rest of that match was particularly turgid.
I'm happy to take a chance on the outsider in this one at a generous 13/5.
Prediction: 8-11
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