The busy darts scene continues over the next week as the best players in the game head to Dublin for the World Grand Prix, the quirky double start tournament which has every player in the field wracked with nerves.
32 men start out the week and with the format being a huge leveller anyone in the field can come through and win this. That is what Daryl Gurney did 12 months ago and he is back to defend his title this week.
Recent Winners
2017 – Daryl Gurney
2016 – Michael van Gerwen
2015 – Robert Thornton
2014 – Michael van Gerwen
2013 – Phil Taylor
2012 – Michael van Gerwen
2011 – Phil Taylor
2010 – James Wade
2009 – Phil Taylor
2008 – Phil Taylor
The Format
As with every other professional tournament each leg is 501 but this week you have to start and finish on a double. We are also at set play once again with the first round the best of three sets, the second round and the quarter finals are the best of five with the two semi-finals over the best of seven sets and then champion will be crowned in a final over the best of nine sets. Each set throughout the tournament is the best of five legs.
Top Half
Although Daryl Gurney is the defending champion it is Michael van Gerwen who is the number one seed this week. Both men are in the top half as seeded players anyway. The other two seeds in this part of the draw are Dave Chisnall and the World Matchplay and recent Champions League of Darts champion Gary Anderson in what should be a good section.
There are only eight seeds this week so the unseeded players are going to be class throughout the draw. Raymond Barneveld is the biggest name of them in the top half while Stephen Bunting and Kim Huybrechts are well known. Darren Webster will aim for a good run while World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey de Zwaan makes his debut in the tournament. Jonny Clayton is another seasoned campaigner in this half.
Bottom Half
Peter Wright heads the seeded players in the bottom half of the draw this week while world champion Rob Cross will be looking to do the set play double having won the World Championship in January. The other seeded duo in the field this week are Simon Whitlock and the World Matchplay finalist Mensur Suljovic.
The seeds are going to have their work cut out in this section this week as the unseeded players are full of quality. They are led by the former champion James Wade while Michael Smith and Adrian Lewis are both capable of winning any tournament. Mervyn King is a former finalist in this tournament while James Wilson, Danny Noppert and Ian White all arrive to the event in fantastic form.
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Betting
Usually I wouldn’t take anyone in MVGs half of the draw but this week is different due to the format so I’ll go with one in each half. In the top half Joe Cullen could be worth a chance. He is usually pretty relentless on his doubles when he gets his range and that is a massive thing this week obviously. Cullen lost out to the eventual winner last year but he has kicked on and some since then. Most importantly of all he has become comfortable on the stage and he is very much overpriced at 80/1 in a tournament which we know the draw will open up in.
In the bottom half of the draw Michael Smith has an ordinary record in this tournament but he is playing the best darts he has ever played in 2018 and is now established enough to start delivering the goods in this format. He might not have the record here but if he can overcome Adrian Lewis in the first round the draw looks certain to open up for him and when the format increases he can bring his scoring power into play as well. At 33/1 he’s a big price for a breakthrough week in Dublin.
Tips
Back J.Cullen to win World Grand Prix (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 81.00 with Boylesports (1/3 1-2)
Back him here:
Back M.Smith to win World Grand Prix (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 34.00 with BetVictor (1/3 1-2)
Back him here:
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