World Darts Championship

Happy Christmas everybody and what a great first two rounds we’ve had. Now I'm looking forward to the 27th and the start of Round 3. 

I know this is the World Darts Championships but who would have thought that so many seeds would have tumbled. Let’s remind ourselves of who we’ve lost.

  • Michael Smith (2)
  • Rob Cross (5)
  • Dave Chisnall (6)
  • Danny Noppert (13)
  • Gary Anderson (14)
  • James Wade (16)
  • Ross Smith (19)
  • Martin Schindler (23)
  • Mike De Decker (24)
  • Dirk van Duijvenbode (25)
  • Gabriel Clemens (27)
  • Gian van Veen (28)
  • Ritchie Edhouse (29)
  • Raymond van Barneveld (32)

 

Only a couple of players in my eyes looked impressive. Luke Humphries was one with a 160 finish and nine straight leg win over Thibault Tricole; he’s up against Nick Kenny next but can’t really see much of a problem there. 

Jermaine Wattimena was on fire against James Wade knocking him out 3-0. The Machine Gun had too much for the Machine and now plays Peter Wright who aims to be his next victim. 

One of the highlights of round 2 was, of course, the 9-darter from Christian Kist. Unfortunately he lost to Madars Rasma but did pocket £60k for himself, £60k for a member of the audience and - most importantly - £60k for prostate cancer.  

Meanwhile, MVG did the business on James Hurrell and now faces Brendon Dolan which to me should be a straight win. 

I might have expressed some doubts over his lonegvity in the game, but Luke Littler still looks the right favourite to me this year having just missed a nine darter in his first match against Ryan Meikle and averaging over a 100. He’s on track for semi-final clash with Luke Humphries. 

Joe Cullen proved everyone wrong with a 3-0 win over Wessel Nijman and now plays Gezzy Price which should be one of the stand out games in round 3. I'm sticking with Price as the best outsider to win the whole thing at 20/1 (BetMGM).

Steve Beaton's World Darts Championship Predictions

Just one change to my pre-tournament predictions with MVG now backed to win quarter 4 after the exit of Gary Anderson.

I’m still backing Gerywn Price to win quarter 3 – he’s in from 6/1 to as short as 2/1.

  • 1st Quarter - Luke Humphries
  • 2nd Quarter - Luke Littler
  • 3rd Quarter - Gerwyn Price
  • 4th Quarter - MVG
  • Outright – Luke Littler

Steve Beaton’s World Darts Betting Tips for Round 3