The 2017 World Matchplay Darts at Blackpool is into round two after some exciting round one action to open the darting major. Two of the world’s best players are in action this Tuesday night with Gary Anderson taking on Daryl Gurney and Peter Wright looks to regain momentum when taking on Cristo Reyes.
Bookmakers are confident both men will be progressing through to the next round, but how easily will they win and is there a case for the first major upset of the tournament?
Peter Wright vs. Cristo Reyes form and betting tip
Peter Wright hasn’t quite been in the same form which saw him take home his first major win earlier this year after beating 6/1 outsider James Wilson by only 10 legs to eight. Wright hasn’t been able to gather any momentum after competing in the North American Darts Tour and he faces a much harder opponent in Cristo Reyes.
Reyes put pay to former Premier League player Robert Thornton with an easy 10-3 win to open his World Matchplay account and he will take more confidence into this game than his opponent. Reyes defeated Wright 6-5 the last time these two met and after a shock loss to Daryl Gurney in the states, Wright’s confidence would have taken a hit.
The flashy Scotsman is the 2/9 favorite to beat Reyes, but Reyes has enough ability to keep this game close and the +3.5 (5/6) looks a solid bet.
Gary Anderson vs. Daryl Gurney form and betting tip
Gary Anderson made tough work of it against Cristian Kist when winning 10-7 and he now must find his best darts against Daryl Gurney who is in the form of his life. Gurney scored a shock win over Peter Wright at the U.S. Darts Masters and only went down in the final 6-8 to two-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
Gurney has come back to Europe and has since defeated the talented Benito van de Pas in the opening round of the tourament. Gurney knocked Anderson out of the U.S. Darts Masters 8-4 in a solid showing from the Northern Irishman and he’s steadily climbing up the world rankings to No. 16.
Anderson holds the class factor and that’s tough to get past, but his form has been anything but stellar this year and he looks a touch off balance in his throwing action. The upset could firmly be on this Tuesday night and we’re picking Daryl Gurney to continue his resurgence in the darting world.
World Matchplay Darts market update
Michael van Gerwen holds all the aces in the betting market at 4/6 and most of the money has come for the classy Dutchman. Gary Anderson and countryman Peter Wright are next on the betting lines, but we’re expecting some money to come for Phil Taylor who is at incredible odds of 18/1. The Power looks a good futures bet as he prepares to face Robert van Barneveld in the next round.