Will Merk knock out a two-time world champion?

Year after year, the World Darts Championship writes incomparable stories. Currently, the name Arno Merk is on everyone’s lips among German darts fans. The 33-year-old had actually turned his back on professional darts years ago to accept a job offer in Italy as a technician for thread taps.

Following his return to Germany, Merk, who had already become German junior champion in 2010 and played in the World Championship of the rival BDO association at the tender age of 18, was once again gripped by darts fever. Because the world number 163 won the Super League at the beginning of November, he is now competing for the first time at Alexandra Palace in the most important tournament of the season, the 2026 World Darts Championship. Nevertheless, ahead of the second-round duel between Peter Wright and Arno Merk, a bet on the man from Peine is definitely within the realm of possibility!

This is primarily because the aura of his upcoming opponent is defined more by his original and extravagant outfits than by his recent sporting achievements. Peter Wright, one of the most recognizable faces on the scene and world champion in 2019 and 2021, has had a very weak year, has fallen out of the top 16 for the first time in a long time, and is currently only ranked 30th.

In recent months in particular, it has rarely been a good idea to bet on Peter Wright. The aging Scot, who struggles with having to wear contact lenses on stage, among other things, has won only nine of his last 26 games on the Pro Tour. Most of those wins were at smaller Player Championship events. In the important tournaments in 2025, he has almost without exception been eliminated in the opening rounds. In view of this, there is no value in a Wright vs. Merk prediction for the 55-year-old, who also devoted a lot of energy last week to his personal, verbal feud with Michael van Gerwen.

If you also compare the performances from the first round, it becomes clear that the double world champion’s favorite status based on the Wright vs. Merk odds is almost exclusively based on past successes and the celebrity status of “Snakebite.”

Wright played an average of just 83 against Dutch player Noa-Lynn van Leuven, threw only two 180s and therefore needed an above-average checkout rate of 56.25% (9/16) to defeat his largely unknown opponent in three sets (9:3 legs). Arno Merk achieved an 89 average with three maximums in his 3:1 win over Belgian Huybrechts.

However, both players were relatively far from world class, so I don’t expect a high-scoring match in the clash on the day before Christmas Eve.

Peter Wright – Arno Merk Head-to-head record

This is the first time ever that the two darts players have faced each other in a direct duel. Nevertheless, there is of course a world of difference between them in terms of experience. Since 2009, the Scot, who benefits from having a trained hairdresser by his side during his appearances, has been a fixture at PDC World Championships. The former world number one has already lifted the trophy twice at “Ally Pally.” For Arno Merk, on the other hand, this is his World Championship debut.

It is quite possible that the extra experience on the biggest darts stage will tip the scales in a close match. For example, when it comes to playing a high checkout in an important phase. Merk checked out a maximum of 62 points at the start; Wright even managed a high finish with three darts with 152 points remaining. For the direct duel on Tuesday evening, I also see the highest checkout going to the Scot.

Peter Wright – Arno Merk Tip

For Peter Wright, a second-round duel at the Darts World Championship is actually a chore. However, since 2018, the Scot has failed three times in this round. On Tuesday evening, one day before Christmas, he faces the same fate.
The match against Arno Merk is unlikely to be a walk in the park for the 55-year-old darts icon, but this is primarily due to his own form and not necessarily the proven class of his inexperienced German opponent, who, according to his world ranking of 163, is one of the biggest underdogs at Alexandra Palace in London.

Both players started with an average of less than 90 points and threw few 180s (Wright 2; Merk 3). Apart from that, there have also been relatively few maximums to marvel at in Saturday or Sunday’s matches so far.