World Darts Championship Day 8: Another seed set to taste defeat?
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After eight days of shocks, tumbling seeds and cult heroes the first round of the PDC World Darts Championship comes to an end tonight.
Peter Wright will be looking to avoid becoming the biggest scalp of the tournament so far when he faces Brazilian debutant Diogo Portela.
Meanwhile, there’s an all-Spanish affair between Cristo Reyes and Antonio Alcinas, while Kim Huybrechts and Darren Webster also get their campaigns underway.
We preview all of tonight’s action below…
Cristo Reyes v Antonio Alcinas
The only two Spaniards at the Alexandra Palace have managed to draw each-other in the first round.
However, form suggests there will be one clear winner.
Reyes has enjoyed a standout year on the PDC circuit, rising to 26th in the Order of Merit.
Although his stage performances haven’t quite been up to scratch of late, he showed enough quality at the Ally Pally last year to suggest that he should have a good run again this time.
After he clocked a 106.07 average against Michael van Gerwen last year, his 2/1 King of the Oche odds also make appeal.
Kim Huybrechts v James Richardson
With seeds dropping like flies Huybrechts will have to be wary of the man who comes out to Fat Les’ Vindaloo.
Richardson shocked everyone to knock out Raymond van Barneveld in the first round back in 2012.
Against Huybrechts, who has failed to win a match at the last four PDC majors, we think that he can spring a shock again.
It’s a tasty 12/5 for a Richardson win, with our traders going 13/2 that the 43-year-old edges the contest 3-2.
Alternatively, you can get the Belgian at 3/10.
Darren Webster v Devon Petersen
This game has the potential to be one of the best matches of the evening.
Both players are capable of some explosive power scoring – it’s just the finishing that tends to let the pair down.
Webster has enjoyed a fantastic couple of years on the circuit and should ultimately prevail against the inconsistent Petersen at 1/4.
The South African has taken a set in all but one of his eight first round games and could get on the board (excuse the pun) at 11/5.
It’s 2/1 for there to be a 180 in the first leg of the match.
Peter Wright v Diogo Portela
Only van Gerwen has been more impressive than Wright in 2017.
The Scotsman won a first major when landing the UK open in March. He’s also reached the final of the Grand Slam of Darts and World Matchplay this year.
That kind of form cannot be ignored, even if Snakebite has been struggling with gallstones of late.
Those problems look to have cleared up now and he should ease through against Portela who is making his World Championship debut.
It’s 8/15 for Wright to Win 3-0, although we like the look of the #GetAPrice market.
Wright to hit 5+ 180s, checkout 121+ and win the match is 10/3.
Click here for the latest 2018 PDC World Championship odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
