Mighty Michael van Gerwen became the first-ever reigning World Grand Prix champion to retain his trophy over the weekend when he beat Dave Chisnall 5-2 in the final at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel. It was also the fifth time overall that the Dutch world number one has come out on top in this unique double-start major since lifting the trophy for the first time in 2012.
Career-wise, this was 30-year-old MVG’s 36th individual PDC major title and shortens his World Championship price to 11/8 with Betway for this December’s tournament at the Ally Pally.
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For Dave Chisnall though, this event must have brought up mixed feelings. On the one hand, he played brilliantly all week to reach the seventh televised final of his career, giving by far his best performance in years along the way. On the other hand, he was ultimately left empty-handed once again.
Chizzy can take pride in his performance, knowing that an average of 93.32, 12 maximums and checkout percentage of 46.43 would likely have been enough had it been against any other opponent than the one he was facing.
Instead, he came up against a bang in-form Michael van Gerwen, who took the first set in just three deciding legs of 16 darts while denying Chizzy a visit to the oche at the same time. After Chizzy took the second, MVG — who had a slightly superior average of 94.87 — came from 2-1 down to take the third before moving ahead despite a pair of Chizzy breaks.
It was Chizzy who took the next leg, despite just missing out on a nine-darter, after which MVG began to edge closer to victory. Chisnall managed to delay the inevitable by taking the match into a decider, which Mighty Mike all but decided with a double-six to win in Dublin once again.
2019 Champions League of Darts Betting Tips
This weekend, players relocate to Leicester’s Morningside Arena for the fourth staging of the Champions League of Darts, which will be held on 19 and 20 October. This new arena is the tournament’s third venue in its short four-year history and becomes the latest to welcome the top eight players in the world, each looking to gain some momentum as they head towards the Darts World Championship at the end of the year.
Forgotten man, Gary Anderson is the defending champion following his crushing 11-4 win over Peter Wright in last year’s final in Brighton. Both players will be back this weekend, although neither look much like winning anytime soon. For those that think otherwise, Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ is available for 7/1 with Betway.
As for world number 1 Michael van Gerwen, he will be determined to secure the title that has evaded his clutches since it was created three years ago in 2016. Should he do so, he will complete his collection of darts major events across his career. As for the Champions League, in those previous three years, only Phil Taylor, Mensur Suljovic and Gary Anderson have lifted this relatively new event.
Mighty Mike will need to overcome a tough draw that pits him in Group A that includes the reigning champion Gary Anderson plus James Wade and Michael Smith. You can never rule out MVG, and those backing him to win outright for his first title in this competition can expect a price of 6/5 with Betway.
Gary Anderson has suffered a terrible season, plagued by injury and subsequent poor form. On his day, however, few players can live with Scotsman, and given the flakiness of those around him, 7/1 doesn’t look an unreasonable shot for the two-time World Champion. While Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith is still to taste top class tournament success, it must come one day. If you fancy that to be this week then we would advise you jump on Betway’s 14/1, the same price offered on James Wade, which I personally will be backing each way considering 1/3 of the odds offered by Betway on The Machine to make the final.
Group B’s Rob Cross is definitely worth a look at 6/1. He faces Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney in the group stage and shouldn’t have too many troubles in what some have dubbed the “Group of Death.” Wright, as ever, would prove to be a popular, if unlikely, winner and he still has his believers. If you count yourselves among them: A) Why? and B) You’ll be pleased to know that Betway are offering 7/1 on Snakebite, who this week admitted he is nothing more than an outside chance, despite being ranked third in the world game.
Daryl ‘Superchin’ Gurney represents decent value too at 12s. The Northern Irishman will be shaving his hair off for charity halfway through the tournament, and so long as it doesn’t affect him, he will fancy his chances of getting out of the group. Fellow group mate Gerwyn Price isn’t one to shy away from the big occasion, however, and will fancy himself to do well. At 10/1, The Iceman will tempt some and rightly so.
Also, know this: with MVG’s shortest rival price being 6/1 and 1/3 of the odds offered on a top-two finish, you can back any of the other seven players each way for a profit should they make they at least make the final — and we can’t say fairer than that.
Champions League of Darts Schedule
Group A
- Michael van Gerwen
- Gary Anderson
- Michael Smith
- James Wade
Group B
- Rob Cross
- Peter Wright
- Daryl Gurney
- Gerwyn Price
Saturday 19 October
- Daryl Gurney v Peter Wright
- Rob Cross v Gerwyn Price
- Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
- Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
- 4x Group Matches (Previous sessions losers and winner face off)
Sunday 20 October
- 4x Group Matches (Remaining group matches)
- Semi-Finals
- Final
QUICK GLANCE AT THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF DARTS
Venue: Morningside Arena, Leicester
Dates: Saturday 19 October 2019 – 20 October 2019
Format: Best of 19 & 21
Current Champion: Gary Anderson
Where To Watch: BBC 1,2
When To Watch: (1230, 1830 BST)