Nathan Aspinall vs Lourence Ilagan

Nathan Aspinall begins his Bahrain Darts Masters campaign on Thursday against Lourence Ilagan. The Stockport thrower, a former World Series event winner, is a strong favorite in this first-round encounter, reflected in average moneyline odds of 1.20. Ilagan, a Filipino qualifier known for his explosive scoring on his day, is priced at 4.17, highlighting the significant challenge he faces against a consistent top-tier opponent.

While the odds heavily favor Aspinall, Ilagan’s presence is a reminder of the global reach of the PDC World Series. His occasional giant-killing performances mean Aspinall cannot afford a slow start in the short-format match. The focus will be on whether Aspinall can impose his clinical finishing from the outset or if Ilagan can find the high-octane form to create an early upset in Manama.