PDC World Matchplay 2018 preview: Wednesday evening session

First up in the last group of second round matches is a testy affair, as Simon Whitlock meets James Wade. 2007 World Matchplay champion Wade and former world finalist Whitlock have plenty of admirers. They can't count each other among them, however. Animosity which goes back a decade could come to the boil here in Blackpool. It's all sunshine and rainbows for Mensur Suljovic, however. Having finally , there's nothing the Gentle can't do. Next up is the perennially difficult Ian White, who also defeated a bit of a surprise bogey opponent in Max Hopp last time out. Neither got going in the first round; whoever can hit that extra gear has a quarter-final spot wrapped up. The winner of that game knows they'll play an English opponent, but that's about it. Rob Cross is the favourite, though there's absolutely no writing off Darren Webster. The diminutive dynamo struck at the right times , but the world champion's likely to be a more ruthless foe. Cross cruised past Mervyn King. This time, he'll be ready for a fight. There could well be a fight in the final tie, not that the match officials would appreciate it. After his , Peter Wright aimed a swipe at Kim Huybrechts. Snakebite's assertion that he'll 'definitely' defeat Huybrechts will have the Hurricane in a spin. The pair have both been known to let tempers flare - the only issue is it could distract from the darts. Under the Winter Gardens lights, things could well get heated. for more information about the World Matchplay. The prize fund breakdown for this tournament can be found .

19:10 Simon Whitlock v James Wade 20:10 Mensur Suljovic v Ian White 21:10 Rob Cross v Darren Webster 22:10 Peter Wright v Kim Huybrechts