Webster and Wade set for another tight tussle

First round

James Wade's three previous big-stage showdowns with Darren Webster have all been close and there’s every likelihood they will be involved in another belter in round one of the World Matchplay tonight.

Wade, a six-time finalist at the Winter Gardens, clearly has a soft spot for the PDC's summer major, though he did exit in round one 12 months ago, one of six seeds to fall at the first.

And Wade knows he is likely to get a test from Webster, who is back in Blackpool for the first time in three years and in fine form having triumphed in a Pro Tour shootout in Barnsley just two weeks ago.

These two have a win each against other at the Coral UK Open while their first-round meeting in the worlds at Alexandra Palace three years ago went the distance.

Webster can cover the spread in this tussle, while Michael Smith can do likewise against Steve West.

Bully Boy has emerged from a dark darting place in recent months with a couple of impressive runs to finals – he won in Gibraltar, was runner-up in Austria.

He should have far too much for firepower for West, who has hardly won a match in the last three months.

Recommendations
D Webster +2.5
2pts 19-20 BoyleSports
M Smith -2.5
2pts 8-11 BoyleSports