Thursday at the World Darts Championship
Coverage underway on Sky Sports Darts from 7pm
Friday 22 December 2017 11:49, UK
Peter Wright takes to the stage for day eight of the World Darts Championship as the first round reaches its conclusion at Alexandra Palace.
With 10 of the 32 seeds already sent packing, 2014 runner-up Snakebite will hope to join fellow big hitters Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Raymond van Barneveld, Daryl Gurney and Rob Cross in booking a second round place.
However world No 2 Wright has only just declared himself fit after a bout of gallstones that has seen him lose two stone and he faces talented Brazilian Diogo Portela who has been making waves on the circuit this year.
There are three other matches taking place on Thursday to conclude the first round and, given the early exits made by Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Dave Chisnall, the seeds will do well to be careful.
Cristo Reyes is the 26th seed and faces fellow Spaniard and World Cup team-mate Toni Alcinas, Kim Huybrechts (18) faces James Richardson and Darren Webster (23) meets dancing Devon Petersen.
Over to Nigel Pearson and John Part.......
Cristo Reyes v Toni Alcinas
Nigel Pearson - They know each other very well and have played a lot of games with each other, so playing against each other might a difference to things.
I am sure there will be a friendly rivalry up there but I think it will be Cristo who will just have a bit too much given his greater experience.
Cristo is used to the big stage so he has that mentality and Alcinas can be a little bit fragile at times but I expect it to be a good game.
Kim Huybrechts v James Richardson
John Part - It's a funny game. We remember James beating Barney a few years ago and he is a cool customer, if he is throwing well he can give Kim some problems.
Kim is someone who has looked out of sorts for quite a while but we know he has the potency - I don't know if he knows he does at the moment, his self-belief doesn't seem to be there at the moment.
If some darts fall in for him he could ignite because he has that in his game - he should win but I think it will be a lot closer than the ranking table tells you.
Darren Webster v Devon Petersen
Nigel Pearson - We saw Darren enjoying himself at the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton - he can be a tremendous player at times and is very accurate.
Devon is very inconsistent and blows hot and cold - there is plenty of fuss about his dancing but on his day he can really throw some great darts.
Darren will go up there and play his normal game and even if Devon plays above his normal game, Darren is the better player. So unfortunately, despite Devon's value as a showman to the tournament and the crowd, I think Darren will get the job done because he will have too much for him.
Peter Wright v Diogo Portela
John Part - Diogo can play some darts! He has done very well and is the first Brazilian to play in the World Championship. He lives over here, he is dedicated to becoming a pro and this is a big opportunity for him
I have watched him play and I have played against him so I know he is a credible threat.
Peter has had a bit of a health scare so we have to see how he is and it may even curb his walk-on but because Diogo is capable this will be a real test for Peter and he will have to perform at a minimum of 85-90 per cent to survive.
Wright has looked a little worn-out. He had such a fantastic start to the year and the schedule will catch up [with a player] sometimes and Peter takes on more than most - if he can play, he turns up - and I think that has caught up to him.
But maybe the forced rest will be good because he is such a great talent and is so fun to watch.
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues on Thursday night with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Darts and ending with the final on New Year's Day
Live World Darts Championship
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