Darts: World Grand Prix tournament betting preview, free tips and where to watch

Darts tips, best bets and predictions for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix in Dublin.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, starts 7pm Sunday

Best bets

James Wade
1pt each-way 25-1 Coral, Ladbrokes
Back this tip with Coral

Daryl Gurney
1pt each-way 16-1 Betway
Back this tip with bet365

Tournament preview

Former champions James Wade and Daryl Gurney knows what’s needed to strike gold at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix and can use those former glories as inspiration over the coming week in Dublin.

It’ll feel like a home from home when Gurney, winner two years ago, and twice-champ Wade toe the oche for the first time at the Citywest Hotel, and both men have rock-solid claims for going all the way again.

Gurney is 16-1 to repeat his 2017 heroics while Wade is 25-1 and those are nice prices for players who have proved they’ve got the game to conquer the double-in, double-out format which makes this major so unique.

Michael van Gerwen is an easy-to-back 15-8 and at his biggest price for four years will no doubt have his fans, especially as his form is far less patchy than it was earlier in the year.

That said, the four-time and defending champion has never managed to retain his crown and he’s still losing matches he shouldn’t.

Backers of World Matchplay champ Rob Cross will be delighted that Voltage has avoided Steve Beaton – the Adonis has chinned Cross 2-0 in round one on his only two visits – though they’ll be less pleased to see him in a quarter featuring Mensur Suljovic, Peter Wright and Glen Durrant.

Michael Smith is too up-and-down at the moment while Gary Anderson looks short of match practice – those two are seeded to meet in the quarters.

There’s interest in rising star Nathan Aspinall, who has enjoyed a stellar start to life on the main PDC Tour and is the current UK Open champion. But this is new territory for the 28-year-old and it’s a format that can catch out the very best.

The format is made for a player like Wade and it’s no surprise that he’s twice lifted the trophy, both back in the days when Phil Taylor ruled the roost. He also made the final more recently, in 2014, and he remains one of the best double-top, double-10 hitters in the game. And that’s a massive asset in a format in which you need to hit two doubles rather than one to win a leg.

It’s been a great year for Wade who kicked off by reaching The Masters final, has won five floor title and continues to contend in the big TV events.

Gurney boasts the best double-in success of any of the world’s top ten over the last couple of years at the Grand Prix and, like Wade, is enjoying a fine campaign with two wins and a string of semi-final and final appearances.

Superchin opens up against Danny Noppert – a first-round loser on his debut 12 months ago – and is seeded to play dangerman Gerwyn Price in the last eight.

However, Gezzy has to get past resurgent former finalist Dave Chisnall first up and that won’t be a walk in the park.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport