World Darts Championship day three predictions and PDC darts betting tips

PDC darts tips, best bets and player analysis for day three of the 2022 William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena & Main Event, 12.30pm & 7pm Thursday

Best bets

P Lim
1pt 9-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

R Joyce king of the oche
1pt 10-11 Betfair, Hills

J Wattimena v B Koltsov most 180s tie
1pt 6-1 Betfair

W Borland v B Brooks over 4.5 sets
1pt 7-4 Betfair

Peter Wright cheered up darts fans 12 months ago when he took to the stage at Alexandra Palace dressed as the Grinch, begging the question, what fancy dress surprise has Snakebite got up his sleeve when he makes his grand William Hill World Championship entrance on Friday night.

The 15-2 shot and 2020 champion is last on against the winner of the first-round tussle between Ryan Meikle and Fabian Schmutzler and, just as he did last year, insists he's desperate to add a splash of pre-Christmas sparkle at the Palace.

Ryan Joyce v Roman Benecky

Head-to-head: no previous meetings

Well before Wright's eagerly-anticipated arrival, first up is Ryan Joyce against Roman Benecky with second-round opponent Mervyn King praying for an upset.

As the prohibitive price about Relentless indicates, there should only be one winner and the Geordie is one of those non-seeds to be feared.

Czech qualifier Benecky's Development Tour form – a season-long average under 80 – suggests he'll struggle to cope with the quirky Joyce. A quarter-finalist at the Palace three years ago and ranked 38th in the world, Joyce showed decent form at the Grand Slam where he topped a tough group.

He averages a 180 every 5.7 legs, Benecky one every 8.8, which is enough of a difference to make the match treble - a bet on Joyce to win, plunder the most 180s and record the highest checkout - tempting.

Keane Barry v Royden Lam

Head-to-head: no previous meetings

Up-and-coming Keane Barry ought to be good enough to beat Royden Lam, but is definitely short enough to be left well alone.

Soft-tip superstar Lam has no obvious pedigree – two appearances and two crushing losses – but Barry's record – also 0-2 – is no better. The 19-year-old has had a rough year on tour but does have the look of a player who will get better.

Jermaine Wattimena v Boris Koltsov

Head-to-head: Koltsov leads 2-1

Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena would have been a shorter price had this been six months ago but he has endured a ropey few months. In his last 18 Pro Tour events he has only once made the last 32.

That's got to give Boris Koltsov hope, especially as he has beaten his opponent twice before.

The Russian has never averaged over 85 in five previous matches at the Palace – four times in the 70s – and is held on pure averages this year. They both average a 180 every 5.5 legs so for a stats-inspired interest, it's 6-1 that the 180s count finishes level.

Krzyzstof Ratajski v Steve Lennon

Head-to-head: Ratajski leads 3-0

Steve Lennon hit seven 180s in his 3-1 first-round win over Madars Razma but was gifted a route through courtesy of the Latvian having an off-day.

Ruthless Ratajski, seeded 12 for a reason, has won all three previous tussles with the Irishman and his consistency ought to prove decisive.

Joe Murnan v Paul Lim

Head-to-head: no previous meetings

The oldest slinger in town is back and at the grand old age of 67 don't bet against Paul Lim defying the years and the odds.

Lim, an Alexandra Palace favourite and nine-dart history-maker back in the day, will have the crowd firmly on his side making the task of opponent Joe Murnan, once tipped for big things before something of a decline, even greater.

Twelve months ago Lim beat Luke Humphries in a first-round epic – and Cool Hand Luke is a far higher-rated arrowsmith than Murnan – and the Singapore qualifiers through which the old timer emerged triumphant is a tough school.

In Murnan's last eight four events he has won just four matches and this could be a real challenge.

William Borland v Bradley Brooks

Head-to-head: Borland leads 2-1

The next two matches could well be classy – and also coin tosses.

Bradley Brooks v William Borland is a battle of the bright young things. Borland has taken down a string of big names, including Michael van Gerwen on tour this year, and has been averaging over 90.

Brooks has had three wins on the Development Tour and shone at the Grand Slam, thrashing Mervyn King en route to a narrow defeat by an admittedly scratchy Gerwyn Price. Take this to go the distance.

Jeff Smith v Ross Smith

Head-to-head: Ross Smith leads 2-0

If that's too close to call, then the Smith derby may also be a tad tighter than the prices imply, although Englishman Ross has the obvious head-to-head claims having twice beaten Canadian Jeff on tour this year.

He has also reached three finals on the floor in 2021, winning one. Jeff Smith is a former Lakeside finalist so certainly a capable performer on his day though, so the 4-9 about his English namesake look skinny.

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