World Cup Darts Saturday Preview and Tips – JP
World Cup Darts Saturday Preview
James Punt has already penned an outright preview, check it out here. Get his World Cup Darts Saturday tips below.
With the very tricky first round of best of 9 legs pairs format out of the way, the format now becomes a little more ‘normal’. Each match consists of two best of seven legs singles matches. If the scores are tied, a best of seven legs doubles match will settle the match. The format is still very short which keeps things relatively open, but the weaker players tend to get found out at this stage.
The bookmakers are only offering these matches on an outright win basis. No correct scores, handicaps, side markets of any description, so it is of little betting interest.
Northern Ireland vs. New Zealand
Both teams came through their first-round matches with 5-3 wins. Gurney and Dolan averaged 80.27 when beating Gibraltar, New Zealand 79.42 against Switzerland. Neither was particularly impressive, but the sense of relief from the Northern Ireland duo was palpable. It wasn’t a great display but they hit the doubles well, which could play dividends if they keep that up.
New Zealand made hard work of poor opponents and they were poor on the doubles. Ben Robb is a bit of a player and could be better if he was playing at a higher level. Warren Parry should be no match for either Dolan or Gurney and it is very likely that the very best the Kiwi’s can hope for is a sudden death pairs match.
Northern Ireland is the 1.17 favourites to win, which they should do. Last year they really struggled to beat Hong Kong in the opener (5-4) but then went on to beat Portugal 2-0 without dropping a single leg. I expect something similar this afternoon.
Netherlands vs. Republic of Ireland
Lennon and O’Connor beat Canada 6-2, averaging 88.26. It was an OK performance, Lennon being the better player, but they are likely to have to up their game here.
The Dutch were the only team to rack up a 5-0 nil win in round one, beating Brazil. It was only an OK performance and they too averaged 88.
We have backed the Netherlands outright so hopefully they can come through this, as they should.
Wales vs. Austria
The Welsh pair averaged 99.17 when beating the Philippines 5-2. There was more of a spark with Gerwyn Price and clearly the format got his competitive juices flowing. A short format singles match may not have the same effect. Price has a great record against Suljovic, winning their last six matches and is 15-4 overall. Against Rowby-John, he is 6-0. Clayton is 5-1 against Rowby-John and 3-3 against Mensur, although he has won their last two and last lost in 2019.
The Austrians are over achievers in this event and Mensur and Rowby-John have a good record as a pair. They have played six second round matches and won the last four, all 2-0 against Singapore, Canada, Portugal and Belgium last year.
Austria will not be easy, but this is a very tough match for them and the Welsh should progress as 1.25 favourites should do.
Germany vs. Denmark
The host nation beat Spain 5-4 in the first round and could easily have lost. They have the crowd with them, but the pressure that brings can be a two-edged sword. However, their reward is a second-round match against Denmark, a match they should win.
The Danes beat a weak Singapore team 5-2 but only averaged 83.88. Vladimir Andersen is a bit of a character, but his actual game isn’t quite as good as he thinks it is. He could get something out of a match vs. the struggling Gabriel Clemens but Schindler would be tougher. The score here might depend on who Clemens faces in the singles, but it should still be Germany moving through to the quarter finals. They are the 1.12 favourites to do so.
Australia vs. Sweden
The Aussies came within one dart of making World Cup history by missing the double 12 for a nine dart leg. They beat Lithuania 5-2 and they should have equally comfortable time getting by Sweden.
The Swedes beat South Africa 5-2 but were gifted the match thanks to very poor doubling by the South African’s, and Devon Petersen in particular.
This should be very straight forward for Australia, the 1.14 favourites.
world cup darts Saturday: Belgium vs. Poland
This has the prospect of being a more competitive affair. Belgium has a much better record than Poland in the World Cup. Poland have always been a bit of a one man team and they get found out at this stage. This year, Ratajski has Sebastian Bialecki as his teammate and while he is only young and lacks experience, he is a player.
That said, I would fancy Van den Bergh to take out either of the Poles but If Ratajski faces Huybrechts, we get this going to a deciding pairs match, and then who knows.
Belgium are the 1.50 favourite, Poland the 3.00 outsiders. There might be a little value on Poland, but Belgium rarely drop the ball at this stage.
England vs. Latvia
England looked like tournament winners when beating the Czech Republic 5-1. They gelled well, scored well, finished well and should win this with ease.
Madars Razma is no push over, but he has never beaten either of the Englishmen and this is a one-man team.
Scotland vs. Portugal
Portugal is another one man team and they have never got beyond the second round in their two years in the competition.
Scotland did the job over Hong Kong but were flattered by a 5-1 score line as Hong Kong missed a few doubles to make it closer.
The defending champions are 1.40 to win and they should do, but De Sousa has a 5-4 H2H record over Wright but he lost to Hendo earlier this week. Scotland might lose a match, which Portugal a sniff, but the odds look about right.
This is not really a betting event but if we must have a bet, a seven time accumulator on all the favourites to win, bar Belgium, can be backed at 3.93 with Ladbrokes. No doubt one will let it down.
