PDC WDC round 2: Big-guns Taylor, Lewis and Wright feature

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 27, 2015

Day 10: Second round evening session

All-star evening line-up again

After an all-star line-up on day nine – featuring Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade – day 10’s evening session sees fellow titans of the sport Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright take to the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship oche.

The Power finishes the session against fellow veteran Kevin Painter, Jackpot opens against Andrew Gilding and Snakebite duels with remaining Belgian Ronny Huybrechts.

Read on to check out our previews of the three thrilling fixtures…

Adrian Lewis v Andrew Gilding

Jackpot and Goldfinger both came through their first round matches with ease, gaining 3-0 wins over up-and-coming duo Jan Dekker and Gerwyn Price respectively, but this should really be no contest.

Lewis (1/6 odds-on favourite) may be 15 years Gilding’s (4/1) junior at 30, but is by far the more experienced on tour and is a double world champion.

The two Englishmen have met twice before, gaining a win apiece, but Jackpot’s victory came when it mattered in a major TV event in last year’s World Matchplay, and in a 10-0 thrashing. Back Lewis to claim another whitewash, at odds of 12/5 for a 4-0 triumph.

Peter Wright v Ronny Huybrechts

Snakebite (1/7) was perhaps expecting to meet Kim Huybrechts (9/2) in the quarters this tournament, but instead will only be able to face his older brother Ronny.

This duo have faced each other at the PDC World Championship before, back in 2014, with the Scot winning 4-1 at this last 32 stage. He is priced at 12/5 for victory by that scoreline once more, to set up a duel with Dave Chisnall.

Wright, meanwhile, is desperately aiming for his first major title and, after a brilliant year to date, you can back him at a terrific 16/1 to go one better than his runner-up achievement in 2014.

Phil Taylor v Kevin Painter

To finish the session happens to be the greatest darts player that has ever lived against another former runner-up, as 16-time champion Taylor (1/10) goes up against old foe Painter (6/1).

The Power has looked a little fragile of late, particularly with his new darts, but has won an incredible 30 of his 31 meetings with The Artist – the last 29 in a row.

Taylor (4/1 tournament second-favourite) will be determined to prove that he is not yet finished, despite now being 55, though may have a tough test on his hands if he gets through this match as in-form Jelle Klaasen could stand in his way next.

Related

Check out more from our dedicated darts archive, where you’ll find much more on the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship.

Coral’s top tip: Lewis has whitewashed Gilding at a major before, so back him at 12/5 to beat him 4-0 here too.