Bet of the day: Simon Whitlock to beat Ricky Evans 3-1

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 19, 2015

Coral’s bet of the day

• Whitlock back in great form following poor 2014
• Aussie has beaten Evans in two of three meetings
• Wizard is a two-time World Championship finalist

Whitlock to beat Evans 3-1 at 12/5

In the second match of the evening session on Saturday, Simon Whitlock takes on youngster Ricky Evans for a place in the second round of the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace.

The Wizard is finally in fine form, after not managing to progress past the third round at a major televised event in the last 18 months, since reaching the semis of the 2014 World Matchplay.

Australian Whitlock’s run to the quarters at the Players Championship Finals, beating Peter Wright along the way, less than a month ago will have done a world of good for him.

He also tends to do very well at World Darts Championships ever since being in the BDO, as only once in 12 attempts has he failed to win his first match, while he is also a twice runner-up and has made it to the semis on three other occasions.

Darting master Whitlock versus inexperienced Evans

Whitlock’s first opponent this time is the young and inexperienced Evans, who is playing in just his second tournament at the Ally Pally, after missing out last year.

This duo have played each other three times before, with The Wizard of Aus winning twice, including most recently at the Grand Slam Wild Card Qualifier in October. The loss, meanwhile, was a close 6-5 battle.