Wednesday's World Darts Championship tips

The action from Ally Pally continues on Wednesday with rising star William Borland just one of the players back at the oche.

Ryan Searle v William Borland

Ryan Searle is a popular dark horse coming into this tournament, after just losing an epic Players Championship final against Peter Wright 11-10, with that run taking him up to a career-best of 15 in the world rankings.

Searle faces a new media darling in Willie Borland, who threw a nine-darter to win his first-round match against Bradley Brooks in epic style.

The young Scot will be absolutely bouncing after that victory and a 94 average, three 180s and 20 scores of 140-plus. He was 52% on his doubles too and similar stats will test Searle if he’s caught a bit cold in his first game of the tournament.

It should go at least four sets but Searle has enough to get through here.

Tip: Searle to win at 1.35 

Joe Cullen v Jim Williams

Joe Cullen is another dark horse at Alexandra Palace after a couple of fine performances last year when beating Jonny Clayton and losing a high-quality thriller against Michael van Gerwen.

‘The Rockstar’ ranks very well statistically and although Welsh debutant Jim Williams won easily, his opponent Ted Evetts was really poor – especially on his doubles where he hit just five of 27 attempts.

Williams didn’t hit a 180 in that match and had just six 140s or more and that lack of scoring power won’t cut it against Cullen.

Cullen is short enough at 1.28 to win this but backing him to have more 180s is a better route to value, while it’s 2.5 that the match only lasts three sets.

Tip: Cullen to hit the most 180s at 1.63 

Nathan Aspinall v Joe Murnan (R2)

After back-to-back semi-finals here, Nathan Aspinall went out in the third round last year without the crowds in, so having fans back should inspire the World No.10 to another deep run.

It’s not been his best season but Aspinall has the experience of throwing well and winning on this biggest stage of all – including breaking the magical 100 average barrier here in 2019.

Joe Murnan has beaten Aspinall before but floor tournament form is not massively helpful given that short format, and of course the venue is like a different sport to a World Championship.

Aspinall broke the magical 100 average barrier at Ally Pally in 2019

The World No.94 beat the legendary Paul Lim 3-2 in the first round with just a 79 average, although he did hit five 180s along the way so knows where the treble 20 is, but Aspinall has a game that’s on another level.

Murnan clocking in at a price of 7.2 tells you the story, as he shouldn’t be winning this match against a man who is a solid each-way shout for the tournament at 30 in the outright market.

Tip: Aspinall to win at 1.14 

Luke Humphries v Rowby-John Rodriguez

‘Cool Hand Luke’ is a two-time quarter-finalist here who made his first major final this year at the UK Open – a victory in a big event will surely follow soon.

If the World No.19 starts a bit slowly here though then Rowby-John Rodriguez will be dangerous if he plays like he did in his 3-0 win over Nick Kenny in the first round.

He averaged 97.5 and was at 43% on his doubles so will be sharp, but Humphries has enough to win by a couple of sets.

Tip: Humphries -1.5 on the handicap at 1.89 

Recommended bet:

Searle to win at 1.35 

Aspinall to win at 1.14 

Humphries -1.5 on the handicap at 1.89