Sport
UK Open preview: Upsets expected in the FA Cup of darts
One of the standout tournaments on the global darts calendar returns to its spiritual home of Butlins, Minehead as the UK Open gets underway on 4th March.
James Wade will be looking to defend his crown this weekend after beating Luke Humphries in the final a year ago.
We review the latest William Hill darts odds and preview the tournament below.
Price, Wright and Van Gerwen the men to beat
As you may expect, in-form world number one Gerwyn Price is the current bookies favourite at 4/1. The Welshman was crowned PDC world darts champion in 2021, and has already hit the ground running in 2022, with three televised nine-dart finishes already this year.
As ever, former world number one Michael van Gerwen will also have a significant say in where the trophy will be heading this year. The Dutchman has won the UK Open three times in the last seven editions and is also a three-time world champion. Mighty Mike currently sits at 7/1 in the outright market.
Also looking to make his mark in this one will be reigning world champion Peter Wright. Snakebite has been prolific in recent years, and is also a former UK Open champion, having lifted the trophy in 2017 when he beat Price in the final. Wright currently sits as the second favourite in the market at 6/1.
Can we expect an upset in the FA Cup of darts?
With a host of qualifiers, as well as the popular knockout format, the UK Open is colloquially known as the FA Cup of darts. So could we see any major upsets this year?
After a stellar run last year saw him knock out Rob Cross, Gabriel Clemens, Simon Whitlock, Price and Luke Humphries, reigning champion James Wade is certainly one to watch again this year. The Englishman has a great record in the UK Open, making the final on three occasions as well as claiming the trophy last year. He made the World Darts Championship semi-finals in January, and should be considered a form entrant this weekend despite the large 40/1 price.
Another former UK Open champion available at a larger price is Scotland’s Gary Anderson. The Flying Scotsman lifted the trophy back in 2018, beating Corey Cadby in the final. As a former two-time world champion, he certainly has the top-level experience necessary to go well this weekend. His current form isn’t the strongest, but as one of the most experienced players on the tour he knows what it takes to win. Anderson is currently at 33/1 in the outright market.
