Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen predictions and PDC darts betting tips

Free darts tips, best bets and analysis for Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen in the final of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Darts, 8.15pm

Best bet

Michael van Gerwen to win match/Michael Smith most 180s double
2pts 13-10 bet365

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Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith preview

Michael van Gerwen's imperious form and Michael Smith's powerhouse scoring combines to add up to one eyecatching bet at tonight's PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace.

The Van Gerwen to win the match and Smith most 180s double at 13-10 with bet365 plays to the strengths of both men ahead of the eagerly-awaited rematch of the 2019 final.

Back then it was Mighty Mike who prevailed 7-3, the last of his three world crowns and the first of Smith's two final losses.

And 7-3 to the Dutchman might well be a popular scoreline in the climax of this year's event given the consistent quality he has been displaying throughout the competition. Indeed, plenty of his fans might prefer a more conclusive correct score than that and will certainly think the Green Machine covering a 2.5-set spread is all but buying money.

This is a man who has dropped just three sets in five matches. Since the turn of the year he has played Chris Dobey and Dimitri van den Bergh in the last eight and last four respectively, and delivered whitewash wins both times with a 33-7 leg count.

He boasts a near-45 percent checkout rate for the tournament and has delivered a ton-plus average in each of his five matches to date.

Smith has played fitfully which has been good enough to get him to a third final – and there have been moments, particularly against Joe Cullen and in his 6-2 semi-final win over Gabriel Clemens, where our pre-tournament 15-2 shot has looked immaculate – but fitfully won't do against Van Gerwen.

He has to be at it from the off and sustain his levels, and that currently does not appear to be a part of Smith's make-up.

What is in his armoury is hitting 180s. Tipped up at 7-2 to top the tournament maximums list, he's nailed on for that accolade with 44 to his name already, more than anyone else and 12 more than Van Gerwen, clearly the only person capable of catching him.

Why Van Gerwen won't (and probably won't outmax his opponent tonight, either) is that he is keener than most, like the great Phil Taylor, to move away from the treble-20 bed if his first or second dart isn't lying right in the lipstick.

Match maximums are in at 31.5 and the bet would be under if the match doesn't go beyond approximately ten sets, Smith gets edgy and Van Gerwen continues to wander around the board looking for alternative trebles.

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