Friday's European Championship predictions, darts betting tips and odds

Free darts tips, best bets and analysis for the first round of the European Championship in Salzburg, Austria.

Where to watch

ITV4, 7pm, Friday

Best bets

Krzysztof Ratajski (8-11) & Nathan Aspinall (4-6)
1pt double bet365

Ryan Searle
1pt Evs general

Match previews

Danny Noppert made waves in Leicester with a where-did-that-come-from performance to reach the last four of the World Grand Prix, though it doesn't mean the Dutchman should be trusted to follow up in Salzburg in the European Championship.

Noppert certainly revelled in the double-in format at the Morningside Arena and anyone who can topple Michael van Gerwen deserves all the respect going.

But Krzysztof Ratajski, Noppie's first-round opponent at the Salzburgarena, represents a super-tough nut to crack these days and can win this well.

The Pole looked good in Leicester, averaging a magnificent 94 in his opening-round win over Nathan Aspinall. Like Noppert, Ratajski was undone by champion Jonny Clayton.

Stick Ratajski in a double with Aspinall, who can take care of Mervyn King.

The 55-year-old King could barely buy a win during August and his one appearance in the qualifiers for the Euros was in Gibraltar where he was smashed 6-1 by Brendan Dolan.

King was outstanding earlier in the year but his form has definitely tailed off whereas Aspinall looks to be getting stronger as the calendar approaches the biggest events of the year.

Ryan Searle is another player peaking in time for the big tournaments and he's playing more than well enough to see off the worryingly inconsistent Michael Smith.

Searle looked strong in the Grand Prix where he beat Dimitri van den Bergh and Luke Humphries with averages in the 90s and he now believes he's a top-16 player.

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