The 1996 World Darts champion picks his favourite, best outsiders, quarter winners and the big names in danger of early defeats.
World Darts Championship
Well everyone it’s time for a new venture as I’m not in the World Darts Championship this year. Instead, I've been asked by oddschecker to give my predictions and tips for the tournament.
Although I retired this year and gave my Tour Card back, I still had the pleasure of playing with 75% of the field so I’m hoping this will count for something.
My favourite and probably most people's favourite to win the tournament is (The Nuke) Luke Littler (best price 11/5) because he has been by far the best player all year with three Majors to his name and £1 million in prize money.
Luke Humphries has been put on the back foot by the Nuke but to me he still could be the one to push him all the way in semis. Both Lukes look set to win their quarters but there's not much value to be had (both are odds on).
There are two outsiders I think could do well or even go all the way. First of all Chris Dobey, who finished top of the Players' Championship order of merit this year with a playing average over 97.
Second Gerwyn Price who, to me, is one of the best in the world when his head is in gear. Unfortunately both my outsiders for the tournament are in the same quarter but both are good value bets for quarter 3.
The 4th quarter sees Gary Anderson and MVG in the top half with Ross Smith who could be the spoiler. The bottom half is wide open to me though. I could go on about nearly all the players but I think 1st/2nd rounds we’ll soon see who’s on form.
Some interesting ties could be Rob Cross who potentially could play his stable mate Scott Williams in his first round draw and Andrew Gilding could be up against the Grand Slam runner-up Martin Lukeman.
This year has proved that if you have the dedication and ability you can win a title like Ritchie Edhouse and Mike De Decker but this is the World Championship and everybody wants this one.
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Steve Beaton's World Darts Championship Predictions
I'll start with a few stories to follow in the first week or so:
- First game exit for Joe Cullen who should play Wessel Nijman if he sees off Cameron Carolissen in 1st round
- Two-time world champion Peter Wright could be in trouble against Wesley Plaisier if he beats Ryusei Azemoto first
- Martin Lukeman to win his first two rounds
- Willie O'Connor, Callan Rydz and Chris Landman will win their first round games. They are all quite short but a £10 treble on the trio returns about £22 with Ladbrokes.
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And here’s my outright predictions for the tournament.
- Winner - Luke Littler
- Outsider - Chris Dobey/Gerwyn Price
- 1st Quarter - Luke Humphries
- 2nd Quarter - Luke Littler
- 3rd Quarter - Chris Dobey/Gerwyn Price
- 4th. Quarter - Gary Anderson
