Scotland to win the tournament –

Scotland’s status as distant second favourites to the Netherlands is curious, given they’re No.1 seeds.

Raymond van Barneveld tends to blow hot and cold and, having lost to both Peter Wright and Gary Anderson during the last few weeks of the Premier League season, there’s no guarantee Michael van Gerwen can do it all on his own. 

The Scottish pair crashed out early last year but made the final in 2015 the previous time they played together, and are worth backing at this boosted price to become just the third country to lift the trophy.

England not to reach the semi-finals –

England failed to make the final for the first time in six years last time around when having to make do without the retiring Phil Taylor.

Dave Chisnall has now gone nearly 18 months without making the last eight of a ranking televised event, so is unlikely to fare much better this weekend.

Alongside Rob Cross, who is making his tournament debut in place of the out-of-form Adrian Lewis, the inexperienced pair could easily exit early.

Belgium to reach the semi-finals –

England’s biggest threat is Belgium, who they’d face in the last eight provided all goes to plan.

Youth champion Dimitri van den Bergh finished runner-up at the German Darts Masters last weekend, beating Anderson and Van Gerwen along the way, and nearly knocked out eventual champion Cross in the World Championship quarter-finals back in December.

With senior partner Kim Huybrechts not far outside the world’s top 10, don’t be surprised if the Belgians reach a fourth consecutive semi.

Wales to reach the semi-finals –

Wales are fifth seeds after losing in the final last year.

Gerwyn Price didn’t have a great Premier League season but will be better for the experience, while Jonny Clayton – who won the Austrian Darts Open in April – looks an upgrade on Mark Webster.

With Australia their most likely opponents, they’re great value as even-money favourites to emerge from the second quarter.

Belgium and Wales to reach the semi-finals –

These two made the final four in 2017, so this wouldn’t be a big surprise.

If you fancy them both to repeat the trick, then why not back the double?

Brazil and Singapore to both reach the second round –

Brazil made the second stage on tournament debut last year, with talisman Diego Portela subsequently turning a few heads at the Worlds after taking a set off Snakebite.

Singapore, meanwhile, have won their first-round match in three of the last four years, including a shock defeat of Scotland 12 months ago.

Taking on Denmark and New Zealand respectively – who have suffered immediate exits in six of their last eight World Cups combined – this enhanced multiple is about the best value you can find among the first round of fixtures.

Nine-dart finish: Yes –

Because we’d all love to see it.

There’s been a few near misses over the last couple of years, so one’s bound to go in eventually.

Winning double: 8 –

Tops is a predictable favourite, though safety dictates that a lot of finishes end up around the eight o’clock area of the board.

Allowing for a nervy dart at 16 to creep inside the wire, the insurance plan of double eight is an eye-catching price in this novelty market.

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