Michael van Gerwen will be keen to not get caught on the Hopp this evening, as the 2019 World Darts Championship continues into the third round.
The Green Machine faces German prodigy Max in the final match of an evening session which also includes Gary Anderson’s clash with Jermaine Wattimena.
We’ve previewed those clashes – and Ryan Searle v William O’Connor – in our daily darts tips.
Ryan Searle v William O’Connor
At the start of the tournament, most people would have had this draw bracket filled by Mensur Suljovic and James Wilson. So it’s testament to Searle and O’Connor to have made it this far.
Both players are capable of winning this match, and our traders can’t split them as a result. The pair have been priced up at 10/11 apiece. On the face of it that seems about right.
But their respective second round statistics tell a different story. O’Connor finished nearly eight points ahead on the averages and nearly 15% better off in terms of checkout percentages.
Add in all-round better scoring and the Irishman could be worth a poke as King of the Oche at 9/2. Likewise, he’s 13/10 to hit the Most 180s and 9/2 to edge the clash 4-2.
Gary Anderson v Jermaine Wattimena
Ando didn’t have to be at his best to see off Kevin Burness last week. He should be able to glide through to the fourth round with a similar performance against Wattimena here.
The Dutchman isn’t a particularly heavy scorer and has never gone beyond this point in five previous world championship appearances. It’s difficult to see that changing at 7/1.
That makes the Flying Scotsman the heavily odds-on 1/12 favourite in a match that he should dominate. We go 8/11 about him finishing King of the Oche and 11/5 about an easy 4-1 win.
Michael van Gerwen v Max Hopp
Our traders reckon MVG should breeze through at 1/16. But we’re not so sure. The Dutchman has been prone to a shock in recent times and didn’t set the world alight against Alan Tabern.
Hopp is a more than capable player, as he showed by reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship in October. That makes us think he could give MVG a bit of a game.
Over 4.5 sets is priced at 8/13, with Over 11.5 180s even-money between two power-scorers. MVG should eventually have the quality to win through, with a 4-2 available at 9/2.