PDC Champions League of Darts preview: Saturday afternoon session

The PDC Champions League of Darts has definitely brought a touch of glamour to the calendar.

There's the new host city, Brighton - a far cry from Barnsley or Wigan. The fact that the world's eight best players will all be in one place. That £100,000 top prize. Even the £50,000 sponsors Paddy Power will disperse among the crowd if there's a nine-darter. Being the PDC Champions League of Darts winner isn't the most prestigious of accolades - but there's no doubt that it's an eye-catching one.
Mensur Suljovic has come, seen and conquered already. Appearing in his first Champions League in 2017, the Gentle won all five of his matches and took the title. He opens the 2018 event, against another highly-fancied debutant. Rob Cross, as the world champion and third seed, will see an opening victory as a major statement of intent.
The second tie in Group B features two players whose Premier League campaigns ended up falling flat. Peter Wright took a win and a draw against Simon Whitlock in an overall disappointing campaign. That has now been consigned to the past, however. Victory over the Wizard would put Snakebite on course for success in Brighton.

Group of Death?

Group A begins with the UK Open and World Matchplay champion taking on the Grand Prix champion. Gary Anderson and Daryl Gurney are both big hitters, for sure. Neither has made a big splash in recent weeks however - now would be the right time to get back in the game.
Michael van Gerwen tends to be the favourite for just about anything. That tag didn't help him in the Matchplay, though. And Mighty Mike faces a seriously tough group. First up for the Dutchman is the notoriously inconsistent Dave Chisnall. Either the man who averaged 118.66 at the German Darts Championship will show up, or the one who seems to make hard work of even the simplest tasks. Only one of those options gives Chizzy even a chance of an opening win.
The four winners will meet each other on Saturday evening, with the four losers matching up facing the added pressure of sealing an exit with a second loss.
The afternoon session action begins at 1.15pm, and is live on BBC One.
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Afternoon session schedule

Rob Cross v Mensur Suljovic (B) Peter Wright v Simon Whitlock (B) Gary Anderson v Daryl Gurney (A) Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall (A)