World Matchplay Day 2 Tips: Anderson and Cross set to impress?

Day two of the World Matchplay sees another batch of star names in action, with darts punters treated to a rip-roaring double session in Blackpool.

The action gets underway at 1pm, but we’re focusing on the evening session, which features no fewer than five world champions.

Mensur Suljovic v Steve Beaton

The evening session opens with an intriguing clash between Champions League winner Mensur Suljovic and Matchplay stalwart Steve Beaton.

Austrian ace Suljovic comes into this in good form having won the German Masters in May. He’s 1/4 to advance past the Bronzed Adonis, who’s making his 18^th appearance in Blackpool.

The veteran is still capable of causing a shock at odds of 3/1, although 10 first round exits since 2002 leave a lot to be desired.

Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting

Two of the game’s quickest throwers clash in what is arguably the game of the night, as Gary Anderson takes on Stephen Bunting.

Ando has been in good form of late, reaching the latter stages of the last four major TV tournaments and winning the US Masters a fortnight ago.

He should make light work of Bunting, who has crashed out in the first round of each of the last three Matchplays.

The Flying Scotsman is 1/5 to triumph and 5/4 to do so with a -4.5 Handicap. He’s also 8/11 to hit the Most 180s and 15/8 to triumph as King of the Oche.

Rob Cross v Mervyn King

Mervyn King hasn’t enjoyed a happy existence in Blackpool over the years. The 52-year-old has gone out in the first round on seven of his last nine visits to the Winter Gardens.

So a match-up with current world champion Rob Cross probably wasn’t high on his agenda ahead of this year’s draw.

Voltage reached the last-16 stage on debut here 12 months ago and has made the quarter-finals or better of the last five TV majors.

Two recent final appearances in the Shanghai Masters and US Masters suggest the ex-sparky is returning to form, and you can back him here at 1/4.

He’s 11/8 to best King as King of the Oche and 7/1 to produce a dominant display in a 10-4 win.

Raymond van Barneveld v Kyle Anderson

Something has to give between these two perennial Matchplay underperformers.

Kyle Anderson has failed to get past the first round in two of his three appearances here, while Raymond van Barneveld has exited prior to the third round stage in each of the last six years.

RVB is the favourite to take his winning run against Anderson to five matches and end his Blackpool hoodoo at 4/9. His Australian opponent is 7/4.

What could be a close match is 15/2 to go the distance in favour of the Dutchman with a 12-10 win.

Click here for our latest World Matchplay odds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing