The darts season is about to hit pace now that the action can head into Europe and it continues this weekend with the World Cup of Darts, a tournament which is becoming a big fixture on the PDC calendar despite its annoying format.
Wales picked up the crown last year when Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton dominated the event. They are back to represent the defending champions once again and will be the team to beat, but there are some good players in the tournament this year so their title defence won’t be automatic.
Recent Winners
2020 – Wales
2019 – Scotland
2018 – Netherlands
2017 – Netherlands
2016 – England
2015 – England
2014 – Netherlands
2013 – England
2012 – England
2011 – Netherlands
The Format
Sadly the ridiculous format of this tournament hasn’t changed. That means the opening round is still the best of nine legs in a pairs format. The second round, quarter finals and semi-finals are all the best of three rubbers. The first two of them are singles over the best of seven legs and if the tie goes 1-1 it will be settled on a best of seven doubles. The final will be contested over five rubbers. The first two are best of seven singles and then comes the best of seven doubles. Should they be needed the remaining two rubbers are the reverse singles over the best of seven. The first to three rubbers are the champions.
Top Half
England are actually the number one seeds in the tournament this week despite Wales being the defending champions. The English pair look to have landed themselves in a great half of the draw because two of the other three seeded nations aren’t automatic seeded picks. Belgium are the second highest seeds and to be fair Kim Huybrechts usually turns up with his best form in this event and if he does that he and Dimitri Van den Bergh are entitled to be dangers. The other two seeds are Northern Ireland, who will once again be represented by Brendan Dolan and Daryl Gurney, and the hosts Germany for whom Gabriel Clemens and Max Hopp won’t lack for support.
There are some solid players and good pairs among the unseeded nations in the top half of the draw. Austria are probably the best pairing with Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez once again representing them but the biggest name would be Jose de Sousa who is playing alongside Jose Marques for Portugal. Canada have a decent pairing in Jeff Smith and Matt Campbell while South Africa can never be written off with Devon Petersen on show.
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Bottom Half
This is where the second seeded Wales will attempt to defend their title from but on the face of it at least they look to have drawn much the tougher of the two halves. I say that because they are on course to run into the Netherlands in the semi-final. The two seeded nations who are out to deny them that chance are Scotland, whose hopes were probably dealt a blow with Gary Anderson pulling out to be replaced by John Henderson, who will team up with Peter Wright, and Australia, a pairing who will be playing with plenty of emotion after the recent passing of Kyle Anderson.
It must be said that the unseeded nations aren’t the best although we do have Krzysztof Ratajski on show for Poland. Czech Republic have a talented pair in Karel Sedlacek and Adam Gawlas but they have drawn Poland in the first round so only one of those will be competing in the last 16. There is also the popular pair of Singapore who have crowd favourite Paul Lim as part of their team again. USA and Sweden will hope to be dangerous.
Betting
I like a couple of countries who are both in the top half where I’m happy to take England on. I don’t see the James Wade and Dave Chisnall pairing striking fear into too many and would actually make Belgium the favourites to come through the top half but Northern Ireland aren’t far behind them. Crucially, Brendan Dolan and Daryl Gurney have played together in this tournament a few times, although it must be said their record in it is quite average. That should change this year not just because in Hong Kong they have a comfortable first round draw but also because Dolan is much improved and arrives here having beaten Michael van Gerwen at the weekend. If Gurney can catch fire this is a pairing that has what it takes to make huge progress.
Germany have got a stinker of a first round draw in Canada but if they can overcome that challenge then Gabriel Clemens and Max Hopp can go on a deep run. There is every chance they can defeat Canada because in the first round pairs last year they averaged over 96 which is insane in a pairs match. They didn’t have the home crowd behind them last year but still made the semi-final, beating Netherlands in the last eight. They have the crowd support inspiring them this year and probably impacting their opponents and that could be significant. Germany should fancy their chances here and look a more than fair price at 25/1.
Tips
Back Northern Ireland to win World Cup of Darts (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with Betfair (1/2 1-2)
Back them here:
Back Germany to win World Cup of Darts (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with William Hill (1/2 1-2)
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