1983 World Darts Champion Keith Deller MBE picks out his best bets for the opening day of action in Dortmund, Germany, as the biggest names in Planet Darts set off in search of the coveted European Championship title.
Stephen Bunting to beat Gary Anderson
Ryan Searle to beat Raymond van Barneveld
Michael Smith to beat Dave Chisnall
Treble pays at 5/1
(Price correct at time of writing and subject to fluctuation)
As you'd expect in the European Championship, so many of these opening round matches are tough to call, but I have picked out three winners on day one that provide some betting value.
My first pick is Stephen Bunting.
Yes, I know he is playing against Gary Anderson, and I am also aware of the fact that Gary has been one of the strongest players on the circuit over the past six or seven months, but I think Stephen will prove to have his number on Thursday.
In truth, there's very little between the two of them - both have been hitting high averages and both are extremely comfortable on the big TV stage now.
I am predicting this match to go right down to the wire with 'The Bullet' just about holding his nerve to defy his pre-match underdog status and advance through to the second round.
The second leg of my treble for day one is for Ryan Searle to beat Raymond van Barneveld.
Ryan, as you will be aware of, is a player that I have an enormous amount of time for - he's a lovely guy and when he has the confidence flowing through him, he's an absolute joy to watch.
His Achilles Heel has been his inability to carry his floor form on to the TV stage, but he is growing in self-belief all the time and I am convinced that he has a really deep run inside of him.
I am expecting him to turn 'Barney' over and, who knows, it could just well be his week out in Germany.
Finally, I am taking Michael Smith to prevail from his tough opening round encounter against Dave Chisnall.
'Chizzy' is flying up the rankings, and is up to number five in the world now, but Michael is the player who has proven he has that winning mentality.
There's no doubt in my mind that Dave's time will come - he has to land that first televised ranking title sooner rather than later, but I don't think it will be this weekend.
Michael has been a little inconsistent, but when he has been good, he's been exceptional, and has shown glimpses of the form that propelled him to the top of the world a couple of years back.
I am tipping him to win his quarter and reach at least the semi-finals, and, of course, to have any chance of doing that, he has to win this match - which I believe he will.