Thursday's World Darts Championship tips

Raymond van Barneveld takes on Rob Cross in just one of Thursday's matches from the World Darts Championship.

Rob Cross v Raymond van Barneveld

Look who’s back! Raymond van Barneveld returned to Ally Pally after two years with a fine 3-0 win over Lourence Ilagan that showed he’s not just here to make up the numbers.

Five-time world champion Barney averaged 96.7 and took out a fine 121 checkout to show his decision to come out of retirement and qualify for this event again was absolutely the right one.

After dropping just two legs, the 54-year-old now tackles 2018 world champion Rob Cross in arguably the tie of the round. ‘Voltage’ will offer a huge step up for the veteran Dutchman.

Raymond van Barneveld not just making up the numbers

Barney has won the last two meetings this year though in what’s been a mixed campaign for Cross – but victory at the European Championship and a Grand Slam quarter-final shows the World No.11 is still top draw.

Cross is a short-priced favourite at 1.57 and plenty will back Barney at 2.64, while 1.73 for Barney with +1.5 sets on the handicap looks intriguing given this match has huge potential to go the distance.

Tip: Van Barneveld +1.5 on the handicap at 1.74 

Chris Dobey v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez

We’ve been expecting big things from Chris Dobey for a couple of years now, so he has to start delivering big runs in events like this – like he did with last 16 appearances in 2019 and 2020.

The 20-year-old Rusty-Jake Rodriguez averaged just under 94 in his first-round win and stuck in six 180s – this kid can play!

Rodriguez beat Dobey in June and is a huge price at 3.7 to do it again – but Dobey has the experience here and had the sixth-best average on tour this season so can take care of business.

Tip: Dobey to win at 1.3 

Brendan Dolan v Callan Rydz

Brendan Dolan famously made history hitting the first ever nine-darter with a double start, but the veteran could well be history here going up against exciting youngster Callan Rydz.

The 23-year-old from Newcastle, appearing is in his third World Championship, averaged 91 in the first round and threw six 180s while sticking in a 148 checkout in a solid all-around performance.

Dolan has been the worst second-worst 180 hitter per leg in the top 32 on tour this season, and he could well struggle to keep up with his younger opponent.

Rydz is favourite to hit more maximums at 1.41 but the outsider to win the match at 2.14, but those stats just don’t add up. If he keeps his nerve he can take a big scalp.

Tip: Rydz to win at 2.14 

Mensur Suljovic v Alan Soutar

A bit of a clash of styles here with flamboyant Scotsman Alan Soutar facing an understated Mensur Suljovic. There’s also a contrast in PDC experience with Soutar making his debut in his first year on the tour, while Suljovic is appearing in his 14th World Championship.

The Austrian has just one quarter-final to his name this season though and is down at 26 in the world having spent 2015-18 inside the top 10.

‘The Gentle’ could be in a gradual decline and the feisty Soutar is a prime candidate for producing an upset of sorts – going on his tough 3-2 win over Diogo Portela in the first round.

Tip: Soutar to win at 2.14

Recommended bets:

Van Barneveld +1.5 on the handicap at 1.74 

Dobey to win at 1.3 

Rydz to win at 2.14 

Soutar to win at 2.14