The first double session of the week at the 2019 World Darts Championship sees star names including Daryl Gurney and Dimitri van den Bergh in action.
Both players feature in a colossal evening session at the Alexandra Palace. And that’s the focus of our daily darts tips on day six in North London.
Steve Lennon v James Bailey
It’s been a breakthrough year for Steve Lennon. The Irishman is up to 38 in the world and recently reached the quarter-finals at the Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals in November.
His average is regularly in the mid-to-high-90s and his finishing, though requiring some work, should be ample enough to see off Oceanic Masters qualifier James Bailey.
Lennon is rightfully odds-on at 2/9 to progress, with a 3-0 victory against the Australian priced at 7/4. And with neither player particularly prolific on their trebles, Under 5.5 180s is 4/5.
Ron Meulenkamp v Diogo Portela
Our traders have Ron Meulenkamp down as the 1/3 favourite for this one – and it’s easy to see why. The Dutchman has shown some decent form on the tour this year.
He reached the quarter-final of the German Darts Championship in September and followed that up with a semi-final appearance at a Players Championship event three days later.
The Bomb is much more consistent than his opponent, who has won just six of his last 25 matches on the tour since giving Peter Wright a scare at the Alexandra Palace last year.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Meulenkamp hit the Most 180s at 4/9, or wrap the match up with a -2.5 Handicap at 12/5.
Dimitri van den Bergh v Chuck Puleo
Dancing Dimitri van den Bergh should be far too strong for American qualifier Chuck Puleo this evening. Our traders agree and have chalked the Belgian ace up as a huge 1/16 favourite.
With that in mind, it’s the minor markets that get our attention. The Dreammaker hit five 180s in his opening match 12 months ago and is 10/11 to crack in Over 3.5 maximums this time around.
Likewise, the 24-year-old is 8/13 on the -2.5 Handicap and 8/11 to be King of the Oche. Anything other than a 3-0 win for van den Bergh would be a surprise against the 8/1 outsider.
Daryl Gurney v Ross Smith
Daryl Gurney has enjoyed an incredible couple of years. But that success has yet to translate to the Ally Pally stage. Superchin has advanced past the last-16 just once in five attempts so far.
His first round matches aren’t always straightforward either. In fact he’s dropped at least one set in every single one of his 17 BDO or PDC World Championship matches.
He should justify favouritism tonight at 1/6, with 21/10 about the Ulsterman letting his opponent in for a set in a 3-1 victory.