World Grand Prix Darts Preview and Betting Odds
I can’t look forward to the World Grand Prix without first looking back at the Champions League of Darts. Sunday saw a stunning day of action culminating in Gary Anderson lifting the trophy. Earlier in the day Michael van Gerwen was beaten by Peter Wright in an awesome display. One that was so demanding it probably scuppered his chances in the final. Anderson took out Mensur Suljovic in the other semi-final, inflicting the first ever defeat in that event for the lovable Austrian.
Van Gerwen was the weak odds-on favourite that I thought he would be which brought another tidy profit but unfortunately Daryl Gurney and Rob Cross couldn’t bring the other bet home. Gurney did beat Gary Anderson, the only man to do so, and threatened a stunning comeback against MVG before exiting the tournament. Rob Cross was just rubbish as he admitted himself. Dave Chisnall was much the same, but may have an injury excuse at least. Suljovic was imperious on Saturday but his form deserted him in the evening session on Sunday. Simon Whitlock played ok but just didn’t get any luck.
The World Grand Prix Of Darts
This event is unique in that it requires a double start in each leg. It’s also played in sets which can make a huge difference. The upshot is that you can go 5-0 down in legs in this tournament and still end up 1-1 in sets. As you might expect Phil Taylor pretty much owned this event from its inception in 1998 with the odd occasional interloper. Of those James Wade and Michael van Gerwen are multiple winners and Daryl Gurney is the current champion. The runners and riders are below, in draw order with seedings in brackets.
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Steve Lennon
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Dave Chisnall (8) v Max Hopp
Ricky Evans v Raymond van Barneveld
Daryl Gurney (5) v John Henderson
Ron Meulenkamp v Joe Cullen
Gary Anderson (4) v Jonny Clayton
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Kim Huybrechts
Peter Wright (2) v Steve West
Jermaine Wattimena v Mervyn King
Simon Whitlock (7) v James Wilson
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis
Mensur Suljovic (6) v James Wade
Josh Payne v Ian White
Rob Cross (3) v Steve Beaton
Danny Noppert v Gerwyn Price
The Form
As ever we start with Michael van Gerwen who heads the field at a generally available 6/5. The big decline in his game from last year is his doubling and in this format that’s going to be a problem. There were also other issues I noticed from his play at the weekend. Despite having blistering periods of scoring he almost always has an off period in each match these days. He also struggles when people fight back against him. When players responded to his maximums with 180s of their own he frequently hit a 2 digit score afterwards. He also missed single numbers more often in the Peter Wright match than I think I’ve ever seen.
Gary Anderson is an obvious contender having won the last two TV tournaments but like Chisnall it looks like he may have a back problem which could hinder his efforts. Also, since 2009 when he first played this event he’s made the final once and never won it. I said similar about the Matchplay though and he put that right in style. He would probably have to face Daryl Gurney though and as mentioned above Gurney beat him last week and is the defending champion. The route to the final for both would include MVG but Anderson beat the Dutchman and Gurney had a proper go too.
Elsewhere former winner James Wade takes on Mensur Suljovic and two big hitters in Michael Smith and Adrian Lewis face off against each other. It’s hard therefore to make a case for any of those given that they could exit in the first round. Peter Wright seems to be in the weakest quarter and last weekend showed balls of steel to earn his final place. He’s clearly got a chance too and I expect him to make decent headway in this event, probably taking out Whitlock in the process.
The World Grand Prix Of Darts Betting And Odds
As mentioned Michael van Gerwen is the favourite but is now odds against, this puts the field as odds-on to triumph which is as it should be. I won’t be laying MVG or backing the field as a result but I do still doubt that he can win this. When looking at the odds and comparing them to the chances of actually winning one name stand outs – Daryl Gurney.
Gurney is the current champion and should have the crowd behind him like he did last year. He came back off a decent break last week and beat Gary Anderson and gave MVG a scare. His exit from the Champions League was down to leg difference not under performance. He did go 5-0 down against van Gerwen but fought back to 6-4 at the break. He only lost 10-7 and missed doubles to extend that match further. Crucially, as mentioned above, a 5-0 deficit is not a disaster in set play and he would have made it 1-1 in sets in the Grand Prix format.
50/1 is available on the Irishman in places but it may be taken soon. I’m not sure how long it is since I saw a defending champion at that kind of price in any sport. It’s possible that I never have so I’m availing myself each way at that price. I just hope he’s not an idiot like he was in last year’s final.
