PDC World Championship
Darts World Championship preview: What to expect at Alexandra Palace this year
It’s back! This Friday, Christmas really begins as the PDC World Championship returns to Alexandra Palace for another year of invigorating action.
Below we have identified some key players that we believe will set the oche alight this year.
Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price is looking to win the PDC World Championship for the second time, having won the competition for the first time in 2021. Price has the third highest average of 98.49, earning him a well-deserved spot among the elite players in the world over the last seven years. Furthermore, his prolific scoring is evident in the fourth-highest number of 180’s, a testament to his ability to deliver high-impact performances.
While predicting the World Championships, it’s important to take note of Price, a player who has a mixed sentimentality toward the spectators, especially when playing at ‘Ally Pally’. Last year, when he wore a pair of noise-cancelling headphones during his World Championship quarterfinal game against Gabriel Clemens, it became even more evident. Price had fallen behind 3-1 and emerged from the break wearing them in an attempt to block out the hostile crowd. Whether or not Gerwyn will bring his A-game this Christmas is unknown, but something we can guarantee is that his appearance in the tournament will bring the atmosphere.
Price to be the outright World Championship winner is a boosted 6/1.
Michael van Gerwen
Another obvious contender is Michael van Gerwen. Over this year, ‘Mighty Mike’ has secured victory in a total of six events, including prestigious titles like the Premier League, World Series Finals, Poland and US Darts Masters, Belgian Darts Open, and the Players Championships 7. Holding an impressive average of 98.52, the second highest in the field, MVG showcases his enduring excellence and precision on the dartboard, often surpassing opponents with his remarkable scoring ability. Further highlighting his flash darting prowess, van Gerwen boasts the record for the most career nine-darters, including a recent one in the finals of the Players Championship Finals against none other than the talented Luke Humphries. MVG also holds the most PDC World Championship titles out of current players with three, and his experience in the final stages of the tournament could prove to be an important factor this year.
Van Gerwen’s consistent success, coupled with his remarkable achievements in 2023, solidifies his status as a true icon in the world of professional darts and he is a 7/2 second favourite to win a fourth PDC World Championship.
Luke Humphries
Luke Humphries, who we recently named the Best Darts Player in 2023 is 3/1 to win the PDC World Championship. Humphries has had his most successful darting years, and ‘Cool Hand Luke’s’ form doesn’t look like it’s going to stop going into this tournament. He has been known to openly express his goal of being world number one and win the world title.
Now they are the two things left for him to accomplish in his career, this added motivation could also prove beneficial for the 28-year-old. With a track record that now includes both major titles and event successes, Humphries continues to leave an indelible mark in the world of darts and that is why he is favourite to win the World Darts Championship, and rightfully so!
Enhanced Odds
As part of Wayne Mardle’s Enhanced Specials both Luke Humphries & Gerwyn Price to Make the Final are 10/1 with William Hill.
Four Players which have all won PDC World Championship that are split up in the four different quarters of the draw are Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries. All four of these players to win their quarter is 33/1 with William Hill’s Wayne Mardle Enhanced Specials.
