Stats favour tonight’s even-money Headline Darts Treble

This year’s World Matchplay has seen just one real shock as James Wade was beaten 10-5 by Mervyn King last night.

And the lack of surprises looks set to continue as we enter day three of the tournament.

First up in tonight’s even-money Headline Treble is Raymond van Barneveld. He’s up against Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan, competing in his fourth World Matchplay.

Though the two have met on 12 previous occasions – where Barney has won eight times – only two of their matches have come in major ranking events, and RVB has won both comfortably.

And when Dolan does beat Barney, it always goes down to the wire.

But world number 11 RVB is just 1/7 to beat his opponent who sits ten places behind him in the PDC Order of Merit, so the value here comes in the correct score market, where a 10-5 Barney win is a generous 11/2.

Meanwhile, 15-time World Matchplay winner Phil Taylor is next on the oche against 2014 BDO World Championship semi-finalist Robbie Green.

The Power has only met King Kong on two occasions prior to this evening, winning both with ease.

This time last year Taylor opened his Matchplay account with a 10-2 victory over John Henderson, and he’s 6/1 to win by that exact scoreline this time around.

Last on the bill tonight is Bully Boy Michael Smith, who’s up against Simon Whitlock.

The Wizard of Oz has the better head-to-head record, but this is a big year for Smith, who is continuing to prove why Gary Anderson thinks he can one day be the best player in the world.

While 2015 was Smith’s breakthrough year, he’ll be looking to add a major trophy to his cabinet at some point in the near future.

And what better stage to do it on than the Winter Gardens, Blackpool?

Backing Smith to beat Whitlock in the 180’s market at 10/11 is certainly worth thinking about, while Barney, Taylor and Smith all to with their games at evens is great value.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.