Perth Masters: first round picks see Barney battle The Wizard

Canterbury Open champion Caldwell is 10/1 to scalp the darting great, but The Power would be shocked not to push on to the quarter-finals in Perth, which he is a heavy 1/33 favourite to do.

The Stoke superstar also has a penchant for nine-dart finishes, so take a 28/1 price for one to occur in this match-up.

Another Perth native, The Original fell in the first round in 2014 and will want to make strides this time, though his hopes seem slim as The Bullet holds the head-to-head record with four wins to one.

Three of their last duels have ended with a one leg difference, so back the outing to end 6-5 in Bunting’s favour (11/2) for the second time on the trot.

On current form also-ran Wright (2/9) has been rampant, however, so should not slip up in his Australian opener, as he continues to threaten to claim a big PDC title soon. Another close scoreline at 5/1 for Snakebite to triumph 6-4 is possible.

Dutch giant Van Barneveld has had a torrid time recently, but is odds-on at 4/6 to progress here. Backing Barney may not prove fruitful though as, despite his superior reputation, The Wizard has worked his magic on the decorated Dutchman 12 times to 14.

This tie should be tight, but Barney is well overdue due a better performance and has taken the spoils from his past three duels against his Australian opponent, so the fan favourite is 5/1 to win 6-4.

Van Gerwen is 6/4 favourite to snatch yet another title from holder Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor’s grasp, and should make light work in his opener against the unseeded Englishman.

Betting tip: Bunting @ 11/2 to defeat Anderson 6-5