World Grand Prix of Darts begins with crunch duels in Dublin

Dublin welcomes darting superstars for the opening day of the World Grand Prix, as Raymond van Barneveld, Michael van Gerwen, Adrian Lewis, Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright all take to the Irish oche on Sunday evening.

Here Coral experts run the rule over the first thrilling eight fixtures, featuring some fascinating top-draw matches. Fans and customers are in for a treat…

Despite regularly threatening to take a major title, also-ran Wright has fallen away of late, meaning the Scottish arrowsmith is just 11/10 for victory against his ever-improving English opponent. Seven victories to four in Chisnall’s favour back this up, with the 180 specialist (6/5 to rack-up the most maximums in set one) also a previous Grand Prix finalist in 2013.

Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld
With the potential to be the highlight contest of the round, one of darting juggernauts Jackpot or Barney will fall at the first hurdle here.

Lewis, fresh from a narrow 11-10 victory against veteran Van Barneveld to clinch the Auckland Masters trophy, is understandably 4/6 favourite for this tussle. Yet, backing Barney, twice a runner-up in the Emerald Isle, at 6/5 to win may prove more fruitful.

The original Dutch dangerman has slowly been regaining form and, if not for throwing away the final leg in New Zealand, could be favourite here. With his Barney Army in tow, take odds of 3/1 for a 2-1 revenge result by one of the all-time greats.