Darts fans and spectators new to the game have been treated to a fantastic late Christmas present, as they get to witness three stars of whom individually are perhaps each one of the most dominant, popular and greatest ever in sport all in the same day.
Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor respectively, as well as the likes of Mensur Suljovic, Dave Chisnall, Robert Thornton and Alan Norris all take to the Ally Pally oche on an action-packed Tuesday for the second evening of second round matches.
So, read on to check out Coral’s 2017 PDC World Championship day 10 preview, as the remaining 26 stars aim to reach the latter stages…
Afternoon session
Mensur Suljovic v Mark Webster
Suljovic is one of the in-form arrowsmiths of 2016, but he’ll be aware of his woeful record against upcoming opponent Webster, who has won each of their last six meetings – including twice this year.
The Gentle is still 4/9 odds-on favourite, though, and you’d have to say his run this year to get him up to number eight in the world will be enough to finally beat The Spider (7/4) for the first time since 2010.
World number nine Thornton may be ranked 15 places above Gurney, but Coral have made the latter 8/13 favourite so jump at the Scotsman’s 13/10 match outright odds while you can!
That price looks all the more enticing too given that The Thorn has won all three of their previous tussles, including a 2-0 sets win in last year’s World Grand Prix on the way to him lifting the title.
Dave Chisnall v Chris Dobey
Chizzy has only faced rising star Dobey three times in his career, but already the youngster has made an impression on him having won two of them.
It was close on each occasion, but you’d have to say that Chisnall is a worthy 2/9 favourite given what he’s achieved in the game and his far superior first round average.
Hollywood Dobey is 10/3 for another victory, but former BDO World Championship runner-up Chizzy is 11/2 to edge it 4-3.
Evening session
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Norris
Get ready for a riveting evening, as Barney (1/4) kicks off the session against a more recent former BDO Worlds finalist Norris (3/1).
Last year’s quarter-finalist here Chuck narrowly scraped through to the second round after having to come back against inspired Greek John Michael.
However, five-time world champion Van Barneveld got to the semis in the 2016 edition, and looked in imperious form as he overcame Robbie Green in round one.
Barney always seems to love this tournament and winter competitions in general and, being 3-0 up against Norris in head-to-heads, is 3/1 to be King of the Oche (player to win match, most 180s & highest checkout. If any of the markets are tied, bets will be settled as losers).
Phil Taylor v Kevin Painter
Next onto the oche is a blast from the past as veterans Taylor and Painter battle for the 33rd time – and 13 years after their epic final here in which the former was eventually the 7-6 victor.
That was most certainly the toughest of The Power’s 16 final wins, but unfortunately for The Artist he has only ever claimed one triumph over the all-time great – which was in their second meeting at the 2001 World Grand Prix.
Finally, world number one Van Gerwen (1/50) gets his chance to continue his quest for a second world title, when he takes on Spaniard Reyes (14/1).
As the above odds suggest, there is little-to-no hope of the Canary Islander shocking the deadly Dutchman, though he did win their first of three meetings last year.
That said, Mighty Mike thrives on the bigger stage, and it seems nothing will be able to stop him claiming a 26th title this year.
After demolishing Finn Kim Viljanen with over a 103 average in the first round, he is 13/5 to also beat Reyes 4-1, as The Spartan will look to get at least something from the fixture.
