The absence of the likes of Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries will feel like it has created an open tournament, but there are some big names in quality form taking part over the weekend.
Day 1 is an opportunity for players to put a solid win on the board before going into the Day 2 Sessions against Seeded opponents and there are plenty of First Round matches to get through over two Sessions to open this tournament on Friday.
Kevin Doets to win & most 180s v Chris Landman: These two split two matches on the Tour last year, but Kevin Doets looks to have pushed on another level.
He won a Players Championship event earlier this week after reaching a couple of Semi Finals at those floor events in the previous week, while Doets has been putting together some solid form on the European Tour as well.
Chris Landman has been a bit more streaky and deserves his respect, but the power scoring of the Dutchman should be enough to see him win this match and the maximum count on the way through to the Second Round.
Joe Cullen - 1.5 legs v Robert Owen: You cannot always be sure what you are going to get from Joe Cullen, but he may just have enough in the locker to beat Roberto Owen in this First Round match.
Some decent runs were put together at the two Players Championship events earlier this week and Joe Cullen is familiar with the European Tour setting.
Ignoring some of the wins that Robert Owen has produced over the last couple of weeks would be a huge mistake- he has beaten the likes of Beau Greaves, Josh Rock and Danny Noppert on the floor. That is a level that makes him dangerous, but The Rock Star has been in decent form of his own and has the kind of scoring that can see him push clear.
Dirk van Duijvenbode to win & most 180s v Madars Razma: A four match losing run to this opponent was ended by Dirk van Duijvenbode earlier this week on the floor at Players Championship 13.
That can be franked in this opening Round at the Austrian Darts Open having had a stronger showing at Players Championship 14.
The Dutchman should always be the bigger maximum hitter of the two, but Madars Razma is a very capable player and will need to be respected.
Recent form has not been the most positive though and that can hold back Razma and allow Dirk van Duijvenbode to bull his way into the Second Round behind the heavier scoring power.
Micahel Smith to win & most 180s v Ian White: The Bully Boy is still throwing erratic darts, but he reached the Players Championship Final a couple of weeks ago and that will have reminded Michael Smith of the obvious qualities he has.
Two losses in three matches since that run at Players Championship 11 will have slowed some of the momentum, but veteran Ian White has been in poor overall form himself.
Ian White did Qualify for this event, but that was at the start of April and he has lost eight of the last twelve matches since then.
He can be a dangerous scorer, but so can Michael Smith when he does find some rhythm and the latter is going to need that to come to the fore in his bid to make the Second Round.
MY PICKS: Kevin Doets to Win & Most 180s @ 1.61 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Joe Cullen - 1.5 Legs @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Dirk van Duijvenbode to Win & Most 180s @ 1.66 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Michael Smith to Win & Most 180s @ 2.20 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Darts 2026: 57-83, - 14.43 Units (137 Units Staked, - 10.53% Yield)
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