Peter Wright vs Joe Cullen
21st July 1900hrs
Darts – England – PDC World Matchplay
Pick Wright -2.5 Handicap
Bookmaker Ladbrokes
Odds: Even Money odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July
“Snakebite” Peter Wright has been talking up his chances of success this year and he’s through to the second round.
He hasn’t quite been at his sharpest this season but looks to have received a favourable draw here.
Wright lines up against Joe Cullen in the Second Round of action at the Winter Gardens, with a quarter-final place being the prize.
Table of Contents
Peter Wright Preview – Wright with a decent draw
Peter Wright, who is the second seed for the 2021 World Matchplay darts, opened with a comfortable win.
He faced Danny Noppert in the opening round and raced through to a 10-2 victory.
It was almost a 100 three-dart average that Wright took in that first match.
2020 World Champion Peter Wright does have a decent track record at the event.
In all but one of the last six editions of the tournament, has reached at least the quarter-finals.
In the match tonight for Wednesday night’s match against Cullen, Wright is the 1/2 odds-on favourite in darts betting* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes)
Wright has played four major tournaments this year and his best finish was a semi-final exit on his title defences at The Masters.
So he has not quite been on top of his game, certainly not to the levels at which we saw him play last year.
Notably, Peter Wright had a big piece of warm-up form ahead of the World Matchplay.
He won the Players Championship 20, beating Michael van Gerwen in the deciding match in that contest.
So the Scotsman has a bit of momentum here.
This does look like being a nice draw for him against Joe Cullen and the bookies look as if they agree.
There is a quote of even money on a Peter Wright -2.5 handicap for darts betting* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
Joe Cullen Preview – Can “The RockStar” take his chance?
There is not going to be too much pressure on Joe Cullen in this match as he heads in as an underdog.
Cullen is a quote of 13/8 to pull out the match win in World Matchplay darts betting* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
In the opening round of his draw, he squeezed past Chris Dobey 10-8 and the challenges are going to get a lot tougher than that.
But still, “The RockStar” did perform well in posting a 98 three-dart average in the first round.
He will need to take more chances, be a little more clinical in this second-round match, however.
The best result that Cullen has produced at the World match play in six previous attempts was a quarter-final in 2018.
In just one of his other five appearances did he get past the first round.
As for this year’s form in the bigger tournaments, Cullen has not been past the fourth round in any of the three that he has played.
On paper at least, it looks as if the Englishman has a lot on his plate here.
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Joe Cullen trails Wright badly in the head to head as well, which is another big factor against him.
Cullen trails that W4 L17 against Wright, which doesn’t make for good reading for Cullen supporters.
Peter Wright has won the last four meetings between the two players.
They have met at the World Matchplay once before, with Wright collecting a 10-5 win in the opening round of the 2016 edition.
This looks like a tough task for Cullen.
Peter Wright vs Joe Cullen Betting Advice
Peter Wright arrived with some momentum from a Players Championship tournament win, and he looked fairly sharp in the first round of action.
So he looks the more likely of the two to reach the quarter-finals here.
There’s a chance that Wright gets this done quickly so Under 18.5 Legs handicap is at a reasonable quote of 4/5* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
Key Facts – Peter Wright vs Joe Cullen Betting Tip
- Peter Wright leads Cullen 17-4 in the head to head
- Peter Wright has reached at least the Quarter Finals in 5 of the last 6 editions
- Joe Cullen has lost his last four matches against Wright
There’s nothing too much in the form of Cullen to suggest that he’s going to haul himself through this.
So the Wright +-2.5 handicap is at a quote of evens in World Matchplay darts betting* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
It’s hard to get to any kind of upset happening in this contest.
The best betting odds for Peter Wright vs Joe Cullen
Peter Wright to win: 1/2 at Bet365
Joe Cullen to win: 13/8 at Bet365
