Category: Darts Betting Tips

PDC World Championship Darts 2020 Betting Preview Part Two

We are now less than a week away from the start of the 2020 PDC World Championships when the Alexandra Palace major returns next Friday. It will be the 27th edition of the event and once again Michael van Gerwen will be aiming to defend the title he won at the beginning of the year when he beat Michael Smith 7-3 in last year’s final.

Smith returns this year, looking to go one better, while 2018 winner Rob Cross and two-time champion Gary Anderson will also be in attendance. Keep a special look out too for Gerwyn Price, who has enjoyed a rise to darting prominence over the past 12 months.

Last week we looked at the prospective fortunes of the PDC’s ranked players 10 through 6 which included the likes of Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright, Daryl ‘Superchin’ Gurney and James ‘The Machine’ Wade. However, in the line-up we also have the likes of Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis who has won here in North London twice as well as Glenn ‘Duzza’ Durrant the three times winner of the BDO equivalent event before switching tours. Jackpot is 80/1 with Betway while Duzza is 33/1.

For those considering a punt on Nathan ‘The Asp’ Aspinall, you’ll find his price to be 40/1 in the same sportsbook, while money laid on Mensur ‘The Gentle’ Suljovic is 50/1. This week though, with the opening day in sight, we’re concentrating on the world’s top five darters and how they will fare at the upcoming PDC World Championship Darts 2020.

Gary Anderson

PDC World Ranking: 5
Age: 48
Home Town: Musselburgh, Scotland
Nickname: The Flying Scotsman

Walk on Music: Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who) followed by Jump Around (House of Pain)
Titles: World Matchplay Winner (2018), Premier League of Darts (2011, 2015), UK Open (2018), Players Championship Finals (2014) Champions League of Darts (2018)
Best World Championship Performance: Winner (2015, 2016)

A double PDC world champion, Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson has been one of the stellar names of the PDC tour for many years but it has been some time since he last claimed a major trophy. His last title win came back in September 2018 at the Players Championship when he beat Daryl Gurney in the final. One of the main reasons for his troubles is the persistent bad back issues which has affected his form over the past few seasons and saw him withdraw from both this season’s Darts Masters and The Premier League. Even so, he remains one of the top talents that the game has ever seen and is obviously a threat in any event. Over the years, he’s bagged six majors not including team events such as the World Cup of Darts.

Can the Flying Scotsman recapture former glories? He certainly faces a battle to keep up with the likes of Van Gerwen and Cross but will always be competitive and will receive a lot of backing from darts fans. He should make light work out of Brendan Dolan or Nitin Kumar in the second round after which time will tell. While I would never rule him out, former glories look a long time past now and other talents have stepped into the void he left behind making a win seem unlikely.

Betway Price: 22/1

Michael Smith

PDC World Ranking: 4
Age: 29
Home Town: Liverpool, England
Nickname: Bully Boy
Walk on Music: Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon)
Titles: World Series of Darts (2018)
Best World Championship Performance: Runner Up (2019)

Bully Boy Michael Smith was the unfortunate runner up here last time out, a familiar tale for the player who has regularly been the bridesmaid – he was runner up in the World Matchplay and last season’s Premier League – and never the bride. Smith is blessed with remarkable skill and his throwing motion is as smooth as you like but always seems to fall at the last, a record which I am convinced he will break sooner rather than later. Almost twelve months on from his World Championship bid ending at the final hurdle, could this finally be his moment and one in which he shakes of his perennial runner-up tag?

Smith’s recent form is solid enough to suggest so but he does have a track record for making things difficult for himself in his opening Ally Pally encounter. Save for last year, in each of the past four years, Bully Boy has required a deciding set to win his first showdown by a score of 3-2 which is strange given his class over his opponents. Either Luke Woodhouse or Paul Lim will provide his first tester and, from there, what happens next is anyone’s guess but if he can avoid early round jitters he should make the later stages – at the very least.

Betway Price: 20/1

Gerwyn Price

PDC World Ranking: 3
Age: 34
Home Town: Cardiff, Wales
Nickname: The Iceman
Walk on Music: Ice Ice Baby (Vanilla Ice)
Titles: Grand Slam of Darts (2018, 2019)
Best World Championship Performance: Last 16 (2018)

Six years ago, Gerwyn Price was a professional rugby player for Neath, throwing a few arrows in his spare evenings. This week, however, he will step out at Alexandra Palace in London as the two-time Grand Slam champion and new rising power of professional darts. Yes, the former Rugby player has shot up to third in the PDC Order of Merit following a storming end of the year run. Not only did he score a repeat of his success in the Players Championship Finals to win the event for a second year running, but he also beat Michael van Gerwen at the 19th time of asking when they met in the Grand Slam semi-finals last month.

Couple that up with some stellar performances and other televised final appearances and he looks every inch the world number two right now, with odds to match. The Iceman has only the two major titles to his name so far in his career, but it looks like he will be adding to those soon if he maintains his current form next year — and there would be no better place to start than the Ally Pally. At present, he is the second favourite to lift his maiden World Championship, which could prove oddly popular with supporters seeing as he was the boo boy for much of the year. Not for much longer it would seem.

Betway Price: 9/2

Rob Cross

PDC World Ranking: 2
Age: 29
Home Town: Pembury, England
Nickname: Voltage
Walk on Music: Hot Hot Hot (Arrow)
PDC Titles: World Matchplay (2019), European Championships (2019)
Best World Championship Performance: Winner (2018)

One of the few players going into the tournament as a former winner, 2018 world champion Rob Cross has been the runner-up at the Premier League Darts, European Championship and UK Open, but thanks to winning the biggest two events on the tour – he also took down this year’s World Matchplay – he avoids the same criticisms that have plagued Michael Smith over the past few seasons. Voltage is a guy that does tend to save his best form the top events, and after lighting up the World Matchplay, he comes into the Worlds in pretty decent shape.

Rob Cross, the winner on his debut two years ago, is set to face either Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts or Dutch youngster Geert Nentjes, a draw that could have been kinder but shouldn’t cause him too many troubles. As for Voltage, all the signs point to someone who is in top shape, both physically and mentally and the world number two is definitely one to watch out for.

Betway Price: 14/1

Michael van Gerwen

PDC World Ranking: 1
Age: 30
Home Town: Boxtel, Netherlands
Nickname: Mighty Mike
Walk on Music: Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Pink Floyd) followed by Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)
PDC Titles: World Matchplay (2015, 2016), World Grand Prix of Darts (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019), Grand Slam of Darts (2015, 2016, 2017), Darts Premier League (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), European Championship Darts (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), UK Open (2015, 2016), Players Championship Finals (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), Darts Masters (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Champions League (2019)
Best World Championship Performance: Winner (2014, 2017, 2019)

The current champion and undisputed world number one goes into another tournament knowing that he is the man to beat. He hasn’t always had the crowd on his side here – he had a pint of beer thrown in his face during his first walk out last year – but that doesn’t seem to affect him. Yes, he was annoyed but it couldn’t stop him marching on to another final, which was followed by another dominant year. There were even times when his form looked shy of his best, yet being the winner he is, he won anyway, which is ominous for his would-be challengers.

The most likely of these, given current form, is world number three Gerwyn Price, who has finally found a way to beat the Dutchman. It is going to take a monument us effort to topple Mighty Mike here though as he looks to edge closer to Phil Taylor’s 16 trophy Ally Pally haul. The Dutchman’s supremacy is not only summed up by his three wins, but also the astonishing stats he has racked up, all by the age of 30. With 35 majors to his name and hitting five nine-darters in the past three years alone, MVG will once again be the man to beat at The Darts World Championship.

Betway Price: 5/4

FRIDAY DECEMBER 13

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 4 x Matches

SATURDAY DECEMBER 14

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

MONDAY DECEMBER 16

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

TUESDAY DECEMBER 17

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

THURSDAY DECEMBER 19

First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 84 x Matches

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20

Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

SATURDAY DECEMBER 21

Second Round (Best of 5 sets)

• 8 x Matches

SUNDAY DECEMBER 22

Third Round (Best of 7 sets)

• 6 x Matches

MONDAY DECEMBER 23

Third Round (Best of 7 sets)

• 8 x Matches

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27

Third Round (Best of 7 sets)

• 8 x Matches

SATURDAY DECEMBER 28

Fourth Round (Best of 7 sets)

• 6 x Matches

SUNDAY DECEMBER 29

Quarter-Finals (Best of 9 sets)

• 4 x Quarter-Finals

MONDAY DECEMBER 30

Semi-Finals (Best of 11 sets)

• Semi-Final 1
• Semi-Final 2

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1

Final (Best of 13 sets)

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

QUICK GLANCE AT THE 2020 PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DARTS

Venue: Alexandra Palace, London
Dates: Friday 13.12.2019 to Wednesday 01.01.2020
Format: Best of 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 sets
Current Champion: Michael van Gerwen
Where To Watch: Sky Sports
When To Watch: (1230, 1900 GMT)

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PDC World Championship Darts 2020 Betting Preview Part One

The 2020 PDC World Darts Championship gets underway on December 13 running all the way through to January 1, pitting 96 players against each other for £2.5 million in prize money and the Sid Waddell Trophy live on Sky Sports.

All eyes at the Alexandra Palace will be on the reigning champion and three-time winner here Michael van Gerwen , who bagged this title last year on New Year’s Day 2019 after defeating Michael Smith in the final.

The tournament will also bid an emotional goodbye to Raymond van Barneveld, who will kick off his final tournament as a professional player against Darin Young before potentially meeting compatriot and former protégé Jeffrey de Zwaan in the second round. A Barney win would be hugely popular and for the romantics out there, the Dutch legend has been installed as a 150/1 shot at Betway.

Another Dutchman, Geert Nentjes, could potentially meet the 2018 World Champion Rob Cross in Round Two, should he get past Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in his first match. World number two Gerwyn Price will play against William O’Connor or Marko Kantele, while Peter Wright will open up against either Rowby-John Rodriguez or Noel Malicdem. Double World Champion Adrian Lewis, who Betway have priced at 80/1, will face either Cristo Reyes or Lourence Ilagan.

Last year’s runner up Michael Smith will be looking to go one better this time around but will need to navigate his way past Luke Woodhouse or Paul Lim, while another double Ally Pally hero Gary Anderson will meet Brendan Dolan or Nitin Kumar.

Mensur Suljovic can be picked up for 50/1 at Betway which might be of interest to some. The Gentle gets underway against Ted Evetts or Fallon Sherrock, one of two female competitors along with Mikuru Suzuki.

Three-time Lakeside champion Glen Durrant knows what it takes to go all the way in a tournament such as this but the PDC is a step up from the BDO event so there will be no hiding place for Duzza. That said, he has a kind draw and has so far looked at home on this tour, every inch the PDC player and a deep run should come as a surprise to no one. Duzza will make his tournament debut against Jose de Sousa or Damon Heta and has been priced at 28/1 with Betway.

Leading to the event, we will take a look at how the top ten ranked darters on the PDC circuit might fare this time around. Go here for Part 2 of the PDC World Championship Darts 2020 Preview.

Dave Chisnall

PDC World Ranking: 10
Age: 39
Home Town: St Helens, England
Nickname: Chizzy
Walk on Music: Dizzy (Vic Reeves and The Wonderstuff)
Best World Championship Performance: Quarter Final 2017, 2019

Like the other players here, Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall needn’t worry about his first-round appearance as he doesn’t have one due to being exempt until round two courtesy of seeding. What we do know is that he will be facing either Dutchman Vincent van der Vort or Irish teenager Keane Barry in the next round. A quarter-finalist last year, he has performed strongly in the backend of 2019 since winning the Danish Open in June so he will fancy his chances of going a round or two better at the Alexandra Palace this year.

When he’s on his game, Chizzy is a high-scoring performer with a tendency to land the maximums and has looked in good shape recently making another three finals, a couple of semis plus a run to the last eight of the Grand Slam. That said, his doubles can desert him so you can never expect anything from Chizzy. While I wouldn’t back Chizzy for the win, he looks a strong shout for a runners-up slot and so could maybe be worth an each-way punt.

Betway Price: 22/1

Ian White

PDC World Ranking: 9
Age: 49
Home Town: Runcorn, England
Nickname: Diamond
Walk on Music: Play that funky music (Wild Cherry)
Best World Championship Performance: Quarter Final 2014

Ian White finally made it into a major TV semi-final having bust out in the quarter-finals more times than we can remember. During last month’s Players Championship Finals, he overcame William O’Connor in a 10-9 victory which, while his best televised performance, is still unlikely to propel him on to success at the Aly Pally. Were it not those pesky TV cameras, we might be prepared to drop a little cash on him showing, as he does have a superb form away from TV or in the early rounds of a major event like this one. While he has crept into the world’s top ten, it would take something special to make it through to the later rounds here, even with his semi-final hoodoo put to bed. His best showing here in North London? You guessed it, the quarter-finals of course, which is unlikely to be bettered this year at least.

Betway Price: 66/1

James Wade

PDC World Ranking: 8
Age: 36
Home Town: Aldershot, England
Nickname: The Machine
Walk on Music: Baba O’Riley (The Who) followed by The Boys Are Back in Town (Thin Lizzy)
Titles: World Matchplay (2007), World Grand Prix (2007, 2010), Premier League (2009), Champions League (2010), European Championship (2018), UK Open (2008, 2011), Darts Masters (2014)
Best World Championship Performance Semi-Final 2009, 2012, 2013

Wade went into this event last year having produced his best form for a long time, collecting two TV wins for the first time since earning the Darts Masters in 2014. But, sadly for The Machine, what a difference 12 months make. The Machine has amassed an impressive eight major trophies in a career that has spanned the dominating brilliance of both Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Mighty Michael van Gerwen. And yet, save for second place in The Masters and a smattering of regional Players Championship events, it’s been a quiet year for the former mechanic but he remains, as always, very dangerous when his opponents miss their doubles and is one of the best in the world at checkouts so you can never truly rule The Machine out.

Betway Price: 50/1

Peter Wright

PDC World Ranking: 7
Age: 49
Home Town: Livingston, Scotland
Nickname: Snakebite
Walk on Music: Intro to The Greatest Show (The Greatest Showman soundtrack) followed by Don’t Stop the Party (Pitbull)
PDC Titles: UK Open (2017), World Cup of Darts (2019)
Best World Championship Performance: Runner Up (2014)

We will have to wait and see which darts Snakebite will opt for at the Ally Pally given that he messes about with them so much. Fans will certainly hope he chooses wisely as darts’ number one entertainer will be expected, and willed, to go deep in the tournament and add to the Christmas fun. On the oche, Wright had one of his poorer years but picked this up after the summer, reaching the final at the Champions League of Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts, where he lost out to Gerwyn Price.

Snakey will have been on the dartboard sorting out his finishing in time for the Worlds, but as ever, the first game remains essential for him. Early form at the Grand Slam propelled him into the final and a similar start here could provide him with the same kind of momentum to run deep. In fact, the only thing that will likely send him on a long journey at this event is a good start, with some equally good stats. Anything less will do him no favours at all and could leave him in trouble.

Betway Price: 14/1

Daryl Gurney

PDC World Ranking: 6
Age: 33
Home Town: Derry, Northern Ireland
Nickname: Superchin
Walk on Music: Superman March (Boston Pops Orchestra and John Williams) followed by Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
PDC Titles: World Grand Prix (2017), Players Championship Finals (2018)
Best World Championship Performance: Quarter-Final (2017)

Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney will open up his campaign against either Justin Pipe or 40-year-old Benjamin Pratnemer of Slovenia in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship on Saturday Dec 21. While Superchin will remain confident, one would think that Gurney will be hoping for the latter having never beaten Pipe in a competitive match, losing on the two occasions they have matched up in the past.

Should he put Pipe away — if were they to meet — and then draw, it would pit him against Glenn Durrant in a very tricky tie from which a potential winner could emerge. Superchin has great scoring power but does tend to miss plenty of darts at the double in odd legs. This is always costly when closing out sets in an event such as this, but a fairly kind draw means you have to give him a serious chance of winning this.

Betway Price: 40/1

QUICK GLANCE AT THE 2020 PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DARTS

Venue: Alexandra Palace, London
Dates: Friday 13.12.2019 to Wednesday 01.01.2020
Format: Best of 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 sets
Current Champion: Michael van Gerwen
Where To Watch: Sky Sports
When To Watch: (1230, 1900 GMT)

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