Day Two of the Hungarian Darts Trophy 2026 promises exciting action as seeded players join the fray. While top contenders like Luke Humphries and Wessel Nijman are in focus, Friday’s opening round offered crucial insights into potential upsets. The short best-of-11 legs format on the European Tour means underdogs can shine, and we’ve identified three key value picks for Saturday’s matches: Niko Springer, Tom Sykes, and Keane Barry. For those eyeing the overall title, Wessel Nijman offers a strong balance of form and price, while Rob Cross could be a dark horse, and defending champion Niko Springer presents a highly speculative, yet intriguing, long-shot bet.
Saturday’s Top Value Picks:
The European Tour format, with matches decided by best of 11 legs until the semi-finals, creates opportunities for players who can hit a strong spell. Here are three players whose Day One performances and recent form suggest they are undervalued:
Niko Springer (8/5 vs. Ryan Searle)
Niko Springer, the defending champion, offers perhaps the most compelling value of the afternoon session. His 8/5 odds against Ryan Searle suggest only about a 38% chance of victory, which seems low given his pedigree.
- Strong Start: Springer began his title defense with a dominant 6-1 win over Maik Kuivenhoven, averaging an impressive 95.06.
- History of Upsets: He has proven his ability to raise his game against top opposition in 2026. This season, he defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-1 in Munich and Gary Anderson 6-3 in Sindelfingen.
- Budapest Pedigree: As the reigning champion, he knows what it takes to perform in this event.
Considering his recent form, his strong Day One performance, and his history of beating elite players, Springer at 8/5 looks like a significant opportunity.
Tom Sykes (16/11 vs. Chris Dobey)
Tom Sykes is another player whose odds appear to undervalue his recent performances. While Chris Dobey is a deserved favorite, Sykes has shown he can trouble established names.
- Exceptional Day One: Sykes dispatched Cameron Menzies 6-1 on Friday with an outstanding 101.20 average.
- High-Level Qualification: His path to this event included a remarkable 6-0 victory over Peter Wright in July’s ET11 qualifiers, where he averaged an even higher 104.86.
These performances demonstrate Sykes’s capability to produce world-class darts, making him a very interesting underdog at 16/11.
Keane Barry (10/13 vs. Madars Razma)
Keane Barry’s odds are shorter, but the evidence for his selection is arguably the strongest. He enters his Round Two match against Madars Razma with significant momentum.
- Dominant Performance: Barry secured an emphatic 6-2 victory over Martin Schindler on Friday, averaging an excellent 100.77.
- Razma’s Situation: Madars Razma was a late replacement for James Wade and enters the tournament directly in Round Two, potentially with less preparation time than other players.
Barry has already proven he can handle a seeded-quality opponent while maintaining a high average. This makes his 10/13 price one of the most justifiable selections based on Day One’s results.
Outright Market Contenders: Value Beyond Saturday
For those looking further ahead, the outright market offers its own intriguing possibilities:
Wessel Nijman (8/1)
Wessel Nijman presents a strong balance between his price and his exceptional 2026 form. The Dutchman has been incredibly consistent:
- Prolific Winner: By mid-July, Nijman had already secured eight PDC titles in 34 ProTour events, including two European Tour victories.
- Top of the Rankings: He comfortably sits at the top of the ProTour Order of Merit, reflecting his consistent high-level play.
His strong form suggests he’s a serious contender for the title.
Rob Cross (18/1)
Rob Cross, despite a narrow escape on Friday, holds a stronger case for outright victory than his initial result might suggest. He battled through an outstanding performance from Beau Greaves in a deciding leg.
- Resilient Performer: His ability to win under pressure, even when not at his absolute best, is a valuable asset.
- Season’s Achievements: His 2026 campaign already includes a Players Championship title and a European Tour final appearance.
Cross has the experience and form to go deep in this tournament.
Niko Springer (66/1) – The Long Shot
The defending champion, Niko Springer, offers a highly speculative but potentially rewarding option at 66/1. While facing Ryan Searle immediately is a tough hurdle, consider the upside:
- Proven Winner: He won this tournament last year.
- Giant Killer: He has already defeated Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson on European Tour stages in 2026.
If Springer can navigate his challenging early draw, which includes potential clashes with Jonny Clayton, Wessel Nijman, and Luke Humphries, his odds would undoubtedly shorten dramatically. This makes him an exciting, albeit high-risk, long-shot pick.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
