Thursday's World Darts Tips: back hot Cross for 180s

Raymond Smith v Mervyn King

It feels like Mervyn King has been around the darts scene for longer than a bow and arrow, but a major title has always eluded him. 

He suddenly finds himself in the last 16 with a decent chance of reaching the semi-final as, assuming he can overcome over-achieving Aussie Raymond Smith, he’ll face James Wade in the quarter-finals.

No doubt, The King won’t be looking too far ahead, and he’ll have his work cut out getting past Smith, another Aussie looking to inflict misery on an Englishman.

Smith aka ‘The Guru’ averaged 94 in his 4-1 defeat of Florian Hempel last time out, but is still without a PDC Tour Card, so is very much in uncharted waters at Ally Pally, meaning he’ll probably put up a decent fight against King. This one could go all the way.

Tip: Over 5.5 sets at 1.74

Chris Dobey v Luke Humphries

This is an intriguing clash given both players reached the last 16 with byes thanks to Covid-hit opponents.

Humphries is the narrow 1.86 favourite here, which makes sense, given his comprehensive earlier victory over Rowby John Rodriguez, in which he only dropped two legs.

Dobey, meanwhile, struggled past Rowby John’s brother, Rusty Jake (seriously), having to come from two sets down, and it’s unlikely that Humphries will be as generous here.

Tip: Back Humphries at 1.86

Gerwyn Price is the tournament favourite, but Rob Cross is a dangerous outsider

Gary Anderson v Rob Cross

What is it about Gary Anderson and the World Championship? The two-time champion revels in the fact he no longer practices as much, yet turns up at Ally Pally and usually reaches the final.

This year, however, he might not have it that easy, especially when he takes on a rejuvenated Rob Cross, who’s still available at 10 to win the tournament (we also pointed this out when was 18.5 earlier in the week).

Cross squeezed past Darryl Gurney in a thriller, nailing an outrageous 170 checkout to claim victory, and it feels like the 2018 champion is on a roll – bet against him at your peril.

He nailed no fewer than 13 180s against Gurney (yes, we tipped over 13.5 180s in the match, and there were 22!) and we’d certainly back over 13.5 again here at 1.9.

This one is probably too close to call, but is highly likely to go to at least six sets.

Tips: Try a double of over 5.5 sets (1.71) and over 13.5 180s (1.9).

Peter Wright v Ryan Searle

When Peter Wright trailed Damon Heta 2-0 on Tuesday night, it would’ve taken a brave man to even put a rusty old penny on him to win the tournament.

But then, out of nowhere, Snakebite produced probably the best four sets of the tournament so far as he sprinted to victory, moving from 11% to 17% for the title in the process.

Ryan Searle, on the other hand, was more like a tortoise to Wright’s hare (yes, we know the tortoise won that one) as he laboured to victory over Danny Noppert, and it would be a huge surprise if he was to get past Wright.

Tip: Back Peter Wright -1.5 at 1.81