Danny Noppert could make mincemeat of Lam

Sky Sports Arena, 12.30pm and 7pm

Paul Nicholson v Kevin Burness
H2H: Nicholson leads 3-0

Paul Nicholson is a warm favourite on his first Ally Pally appearance for four years but he is yet to recapture the best of his form.

The Asset has whitewashed his first-round opponent Kevin Burness in two of their three meetings in floor events and he should win. But Nicholson has a tendency to let the occasion get to him and the prospect of a meeting with Gary Anderson later in the night should he come through this test could well affect him.

Danny Noppert v Royden Lam
H2H: no meetings

Royden Lam sprang a huge shock by beating Gary Anderson in the Shanghai Masters in the summer, but the fact that the Hong Kong thrower averaged ten points less per visit than the Flying Scotsman during the match is telling.

Danny Noppert, finalist in the 2017 Lakeside Championship, arrives in great form having reached the last four of the Players Championship Finals, where he lost to champion Daryl Gurney.

Noppert is rightly a strong favourite and the Dutchman looks worth backing to win either 3-0 or 3-1.

Recommendation
D Noppert -1.5 sets
2pts 4-6 BoyleSports, Coral

Simon Stevenson v Ted Evetts
H2H: tied at 1-1

Despite a 25-year age difference both these players are relative newcomers to the PDC circuit.

Both lost on their sole previous appearances on the Alexandra Palace stage - Stevenson in the preliminary round two years ago and Evetts going down 3-0 to Gerwyn Price last year.

Super Ted hit a 180 and took out three of his four shots at double in that match and he is a narrow favourite to set up a second-round clash with Adrian Lewis.

However, there has been little this year to suggest he's a star of the future and the bookies look right to expect a close contest.

Chris Dobey v Boris Koltsov
H2H: no meetings

Recent Players Championship Finals quarter-finalist Chris Dobey looks likely to outclass Boris Koltsov but the Russian raider is worth a punt to claim more 180s.

This is 30-year-old Koltsov's third World Championship appearance and he is unlikely to break his duck here, but he has shown on the Challenge Tour that he knows where the lipstick is.

Dobey also reached the last 16 of the UK Open this year and this match may not last long but Koltsov can earn some cheers from the crowd for his scoring prowess.

Recommendation
B Koltsov most 180s
1pt 3-1 Betfair, Sky Bet

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