World champ Rob Cross far from nailed on against Joe Cullen

Quarter-finals
ITV4, 12.45pm Sunday

Michael van Gerwen's shock elimination from the European Championship against Steve West has left Rob Cross as the clear favourite in Dortmund. But the world champion hasn’t done enough this season to suggest victory is a formality and he can expect a stern examination from Joe Cullen.

Cross is still relatively unexposed on the tour having conquered the world at the first time of asking and living up to that billing hasn’t been a smooth process for the former electrician.

A first-round defeat against Steve Beaton at the World Grand Prix in Dublin this month was the latest setback for Cross and, as a result, he headed to Dortmund under the radar.

A 10-2 demolition of Richard North on Friday was another step in the right direction but it wasn’t a flawless performance – he averaged a shade over 93 – and the margin of victory was emphasised by some clinical finishing.

Cullen arguably achieved more in dismissing Michael Smith 10-4, when he averaged 94 and fired in six maximums to Bully Boy’s four.

That followed a decisive win over Jelle Klaasen in the first round and the disparity in prices may not be a fair reflection of their chances.

West, fresh from sending Van Gerwen packing, locks horns with Peter Wright’s conqueror Simon Whitlock in Sunday’s other quarter-final.

However, it’s difficult to disagree with the market that says a close match on the cards.

Recommendation
J Cullen
1pt 21-10 Coral, Ladbrokes

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