World Darts Championship 2024 predictions and betting tips for the three-week festive feast of darts at Alexandra Palace.
PDC World Darts Championship
The 2024 PDC World Darts Championship is almost upon us as one of the sporting calendar’s biggest annual events gets underway on Friday night. A three-week festive feast of darts will see 96 of the game's biggest names fight it out for darting immortality.
Last year, Michael Smith hit a breath-taking nine-dart finish en-route to claiming his maiden world crown in a thrilling 7-4 final win over Michael van Gerwen. That was just the latest in a long line of iconic Ally Pally moments and the 2024 edition promises to be just as enthralling.
2024 World Darts Championship Predictions
Luke Humphries has lifted no fewer than three major titles over the last two months and thus warrants favouritism to etch his name into the Ally Pally history books forever more.
Whilst Humphries is fully deserving of his pre-tournament favourite tag, the Berkshire-born arrowsmith isn’t tempting enough to get on board with at 3/1 on bet365.
Instead, the even-money angle at Betway on 'Cool Hand' to emerge from his quarter of the draw offers an intriguing alternative. Humphries has catapulted himself through the darting stratosphere in 2023 and the world number three will enter the London extravaganza in the form of his life.
In landing in Quarter 4, the likes of Dave Chisnall, Joe Cullen and Nathan Aspinall are all more than capable of posing the market leader one or two problems, but high-flying Humphries should overpower the Quarter 4 pack to secure a semi-final spot.
Michael Smith finally reached the top of the darting mountain at the turn of the year but holding on to the iconic Sid Waddell trophy is historically a tall order.
Even as the flagship tournament’s top seed, ‘Bully Boy’ has had highs and lows throughout 2023, with the St Helens man struggling for consistency throughout the season.
In fact, Smith’s slump in form has prompted the bookmakers to price the defending champion up at 14/1 with Spreadex in his bid for back-to-back crowns. The history of the World Darts Championship is littered with odds-defying upsets and a shock early exit for Smith isn’t inconceivable.
In what looks set to be a fiercely contested first quarter of the draw, the value could instead lie with a resurgent Rob Cross at 11/4 with Paddy Power.
The 2018 champ has already reached two major finals this year and his 2023 showings would suggest that he could come through Quarter 1 at the expense of the aforementioned Smith.
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen (7/2 on bet365) has been involved in three of the last five finals and the Dutchman should be there or thereabouts come the business end of the competition this year.
Gerwyn Price shocked the world of darts last year after he donned ear defenders during his quarter-final defeat but the 11/2 (Paddy Power) Iceman should be in the mix to make headlines for all the right reasons this time around.
As ever, a case could be made for a number of dark horses to outperform expectations and make a deep run at the end-of-year pinnacle.
Gary Anderson and James Wade will arrive in great form and both seasoned stalwarts could give punters a good run for their money at 14/1 and 50/1 respectively on Betfair.
2024 World Darts Championship Odds
| Winner | Best Price | Worst Price |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Humphries | 3/1 | 3/1 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 7/2 | 10/3 |
| Gerwyn Price | 11/2 | 4/1 |
| Michael Smith | 14/1 | 10/1 |
| Gary Anderson | 14/1 | 9/1 |
| Rob Cross | 16/1 | 14/1 |
| Peter Wright | 25/1 | 16/1 |
None of the usual suspects come into this year’s showpiece as the favourite to lift the trophy, with Luke Humphries the market front-runner at 3/1 with bet365.
The man nicknamed 'Cool Hand' is in magnificent form, having triumphed in three of the last four majors. Red-hot Humphries will take some stopping in his quest for World Championship glory.
2024 World Darts Championship Betting Tips
Luke Humphries Quarter 4 Winner - 10/11 Betfred
Luke Humphries’ recent trophy haul makes him the rightful pre-tournament favourite but backing ‘Cool Hand’ to come through his quarter seems the more sensible option to play at 10/11 on Betfred.
Rob Cross Quarter 1 Winner - 11/4 Paddy Power
It could be worth opposing out-of-form and defending world champion Michael Smith in what promises to be a cutthroat first quarter of the draw. Instead, the value could lie with ‘Voltage’ Rob Cross at 11/4 with Paddy Power.
Gary Anderson Winner (Each-Way) - 14/1 Betfair
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson boasts the highest seasonal average in 2023 so the in-form ‘Flying Scotsman' could be worth a flutter as an each-way selection at 14/1 on Betfair.
