Peter Wright won ugly in his second-round match with Wesley Plaisier at the World Darts Champion, but a bold prediction about Luke Humphries’s title defence at Alexandra Palace has stolen the headlines.
Snakebite was still not at his best as he averaged 88 against Plaisier, but he did enough to get the job done and set up a tie with Jermaine Wattimena.
In his post-match press conference, Peter Wright predicted World No. 1 and defending champion Luke Humphries will crash out in the third round.
Peter Wright believes Raymond van Barneveld will beat Luke Humphries
Wright celebrated his win against Plaisier, saying, “Class is permanent, and form is temporary!” as he turned his attention toward Wattimena.
Asked about his motivation in darts, Wright said: “What drives me on? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. I know I can still compete with them. I know what I’m doing in practice I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.”
After calling out the two Lukes, Wright made an outlandish prediction suggesting Cool Hand’s time in the tournament could meet a dramatic end against former World Darts Champion Raymond van Barneveld.
Wright said: “I’m 54, coming up to 55 next year. Gary spurs me on as well you know, these old guys can still do it.
“I believe Barney will beat Luke and then me and Barney will have the best game you’ve ever seen on that stage.”
Humphries will play van Barneveld in the third round should the Dutchman defeat either Nick Kenny or Stowe Buntz in the second round.
Chris Mason backs Barney as dark horse
Wright is not the only person backing van Barneveld to have a good tournament at Alexandra Palace, as pundit and former pro Chris Mason has claimed he can cause Humphries trouble.
Speaking to Online Darts, the 2003 World Darts Championship quarter-finalist said: “This might be a situation that suits him perfectly where he can go under the radar.
“There’s no expectations from him, only his own expectations. He’s a dangerous player Barney. [van Barneveld] has that one good game in him.
“I don’t think he has two or three, but if he can get rid of Nick Kenny or Stowe Buntz, he could give Humphries nightmares and play ordinarily in the next round, which is annoying.”
Barney will play either Buntz or Kenny in the evening session on Saturday, December 21 alongside Littler’s first match at the tournament.