Max Hopp has class and confidence to push Michael van Gerwen

Sky Sports Arena, from 12.45pm

Ryan Joyce v Alan Norris

Head-to-head: Norris leads 1-0

Alan Norris can see the board and see the light after pipping Steve Lennon in his opener at the William Hill World Championship and he can defy the odds to beat Ryan Joyce in the first game of the round-of-32.

Norris has taken to wearing glasses and his vision was 20-20 as he hit key doubles against Lennon in a match which went to a sudden-death leg.

Neither Joyce nor Norris have had good years but Norris, a former Lakeside finalist, has the greater stage experience and can use that to good effect.

Recommendation
A Norris
2pts 11-10 Hills

Dave Chisnall v Kim Huybrechts

Chisnall leads 12-5

Kim Huybrechts was one of the stars of round two with a 103-plus average against Daniel Larsson, a match in which he didn’t drop a single leg.

He’ll have nothing to fear against the erratic Chizzy, who had to dig deep to see off Josh Payne but won’t get away with some of the loose stuff he threw last Sunday.

Recommendation
K Huybrechts
2pts 29-20 Betfair

Daryl Gurney v Jamie Lewis

Gurney leads 5-2

It’s best-of-seven sets now and it’s almost inconceivable that these two massive 180 plunderers won’t pile up the maximums.

The line is 13.4 and Gurney hit six in just 11 legs in his opener against Ross Smith. Lewis hit nine in a longer duel with Cody Harris.

Both Gurney and Lewis played at this stage of last year’s competition and between them amassed 20 maxes.

Recommendation
Over 13.5 180s
1pt Evs Hills

Ryan Searle v William O’Connor

Searle leads 3-0

Somerset hippy Ryan Searle boasts a 3-0 head-to-head record against Willie O’Connor which should stand him in good stead for their clash.

Beating Mensur Suljovic in the previous round was proof to Searle himself of what he’s capable on the biggest stage of the lot and he’s well worth a nibble at evens.

Recommendation
R Searle
1pt Evs Paddy Power

Gary Anderson v Jermaine Wattimena

Anderson leads 4-0

And so to the two market leaders. First up it’s Gary Anderson who will revel in the pace of the match against Jermaine Wattimena, just as he has done in each of their four previous meetings.

Wattimena is inconsistent and always comes across as being too respectful of the very top boys. A routine Anderson triumph is on the cards though 6-4 about a 4-0 scoreline is hard to get too excited about.

Michael van Gerwen v Max Hopp

Van Gerwen leads 5-0

There were sufficient doubts over Michael van Gerwen’s form coming into the worlds and there is enough class in the throw of super-confident Max Hopp to suggest the final tie of the night might not be as one-sided as the prices imply.

A bet on Hopp isn’t the worst value though Boyles’ 9-4 that the young German can stay within a 2.5-set handicap looks the way to go.

Recommendation
M Hopp +2.5
1pt 9-4 BoyleSports

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