The World Darts Championship continues with more exciting matchups on Monday. Here are James cooper’s thorough predictions, key bets and a recommended accumulator for the day’s matches.
Wesley Plaisier boasts excellent scoring power and has proven himself both on the main tour and the secondary Challenge Tour ahead of this tournament. While we’ve seen extraordinary performances from Asian Tour qualifiers recently, Azemoto’s stats suggest he may lack the firepower to seriously challenge Plaisier.This is Plaisier’s debut at this event, but Azemoto’s four wins on his home tour this year indicate he might just snatch a set. Ultimately, Plaisier should emerge as the victor.
Scoreline prediction: 3-1
Luke Woodhouse (3/10) v Lourence Ilagan (11/4)
Three-dart average (2024) 93.27-85.33
180s per leg (2024) 0.27-0.17
Checkout % (2024)
40.91-37.45
Luke Woodhouse’s recent performance at the European championship, reaching the semi-finals and earning £40,000, transformed his season. While he’s yet to find consistent success on the biggest stage, Woodhouse’s superior scoring capability should see him through. Ilagan is a seasoned professional, but it’s unlikely we’ll see anything considerably extraordinary from him at this stage in his career. Woodhouse to score the most 180s seems a safe bet for accumulators.
Scoreline prediction: 3-1
Alan soutar (4/7) v Kai Gotthardt (6/4)
Three-dart average (2024) 91.56-86.82
180s per leg (2024) 0.30-0.18
Checkout % (2024) 37.35-33.74
Alan Soutar solidified himself as a fan favorite with impressive runs to the last 16 in both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. Soutar’s experience and strong scoring make him a dangerous opponent. While Gotthardt is a talented player, Soutar is likely to prove too strong, especially based on their recent performance numbers.
It will be interesting to see how Gotthardt performs against a seasoned player like Soutar.
**Scoreline prediction: 3-1**
World Darts Championship Preview: Predictions for Night Two
The second night of action at the World Darts Championship promises fireworks as more top seeds take to the stage at alexandra Palace. Here’s a closer look at what to expect in the tuesday evening session.
Scottish Showdown: Soutar v Gotthardt
Gary Anderson’s conqueror,John Soutar,continues his World Championship journey against newcomer Leonard Gotthardt. Sotuar, fresh off a 3-2 victory over the two-time world champion in the previous round, will be eager to carry his momentum into this encounter.
Gotthardt, who reached the podium at the European Tour event in Leverkusen, will be hoping to cause an upset. While his experience at this level is limited, gotthardt showed his potential in a recent near-perfect leg against William O’Connor.
“I’ve got a good feeling about this match,” Soutar said. “It’s going to be tough.He’s a young lad coming up, but I think my experience will show.”
This match could be a tight affair, but the Scotsman’s experience and composure under pressure should see him through.
Scoreline Prediction: 3-2
Machine Gun firing Blanks?
A potential banana skin awaits James Wade as he faces off against the in-form Jermaine Wattimena.”The Machine Gun” finds himself the underdog against the Dutchman, who dismantled Stefan Bellmont in the opening round with a 98.54 average.
Wattimena has been quietly building momentum, reaching the european Championship final and the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals. He’ll be brimming with confidence and looking to make a statement against a legend of the game.
Wade hasn’t found his best form in recent months.
If Wattimena can maintain his current level, an upset could be on the cards.
Scoreline Prediction: 2-3
Can Zonneveld Overcome Ally Pally Demons? What a Close one!
Niels Zonneveld will be hoping to shake off his Ally Pally blues as he faces Robert Owen in the evening’s opener.The more experienced Dutchman won their previous encounter earlier this playoffs by a score of 6-2,but Owen,a former UK Open semi-finalist,is capable of pushing him all the way.
Zonneveld has struggled at the World Championship in previous years.
This will likely be a tense, hard-fought battle.
Scoreline Prediction: 3-2
Scutt Set To Dominate Robb
connor Scutt is the overwhelming favourite in his match against Ben Robb,and it’s easy to understand why when you look at the statistics. Scutt, having lost his tour card and failed to regain it via Q-school in 2024, has fully revamped his game, reaching the top spot on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit. His impressive run to the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals demonstrates the level he’s capable of reaching.
Robb, on the other hand, has struggled at the World Championship, with a 0-4 record. Based on recent form, it seems likely that this will become 0-5 by Monday night.
While a 3-0 win for Scutt is the most likely outcome, the match treble bet (win, highest checkout, and most 180s) offers slightly better odds and could be the more attractive option.
Scoreline Verdict:
3-0
Menzies Favored Over Gates
Cameron Menzies is taking on Leonard Gates in a match that could be one of the highlights of the tournament. Menzies, although unseeded, is a player that many seeded competitors would have been hoping to avoid. his odds to win the quarter (66/1) are arguably insulting given his impressive form in 2024, including victories at various levels and a brilliant run in a Players Championship event where he defeated notable players like Jose De Sousa, Rob Cross, James wade, and Stephen Bunting.
Gates, a popular American player with experience representing his country in the World Cup, will not be intimidated by the occasion. However, at 54 years old, it’s arduous to see him finding a level that could seriously trouble a focused Menzies.
Scoreline Verdict:
3-1
Price to Overcome a Steadfast Barry
Keane Barry faces a tough challenge against Gerwyn price, but he showed remarkable resilience in his previous match against Kim huybrechts, rallying from a set down. If barry can replicate the form he displayed in the latter stages of that contest,Price might find himself in trouble.
Barry’s stats were exceptional in that match, hitting an impressive seven of the 17 maximums in just 18 legs and averaging almost 95 – both figures significantly higher than his typical season performance.
Gerwyn Price,though,is a formidable opponent and is expected to rise to the challenge.
High-Stakes Darts Showdown
Tonight promises a thrilling darts match with two titans clashing on the oche. One player,coming off a challenging season,publicly admitted to recent struggles with confidence on stage. This became evident during a first-round exit at the prestigious Players Championship finals.
If the underdog can secure an early lead, it will be captivating to observe how the young player handles the pressure. The question remains: will the veteran be able to muster the belief needed to mount a comeback?
This contest has the potential to go down to the wire. Should it reach a decisive fifth set, many believe the seasoned competitor will leverage his experience to clinch a narrow victory.
“It could go all the way tonight and if so, I fancy Price to use that extra experience to edge through.”
Predicted scoreline: 3-2.
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