Michael van Gerwen is likely to be the defending champion, however he’ll face a stern check with Gerwyn Worth and Michael Smith within the combine We’re again for the double in, double out World Grand Prix Darts on the Morningside Area in Leicester from 2-8 October – stay on Sky Sports activities
Final Up to date: 27/09/23 6:44pm
Michael van Gerwen shall be aiming to land an unprecedented seventh World Grand Prix draw
Matthew Edgar and Michael Bridge be part of Love The Darts podcast host Emma Paton to debate the important thing questions forward of the World Grand Prix as Michael van Gerwen goals to defend his title.
Van Gerwen will start the defence of his title towards Josh Rock in a mouth-watering first-round tussle, with World Champion Michael Smith, 2020 champion Gerwyn Worth and third seed Peter Wright all within the combine.
Can Gary Anderson – a World Grand Prix runner-up in 2016 – flip again the clock? Edgar and Bridge sit down within the studio to debate the important thing questions…
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Van Gerwen and Worth may face one another fairly a bit over the subsequent few months
Edgar is satisfied we’ll see one other Van Gerwen-Gerwyn Worth present heading into the tail finish of the season, with the Dutchman his clear favorite to elevate one other Grand Prix title.
“We go into subsequent yr with Michael van Gerwen as world No 1 and as we go into busy season I see solely Van Gerwen and Worth as winners of this match,” he mentioned.
“I am unable to see who shall be an outsider, who’s going to win what recreation, by no means thoughts the match and then you definately put the double begin in and it’ll be a very difficult one to select issues aside.”
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Josh Rock shocked MVG with this nine-darter on the Grand Slam of Darts final yr
Josh Rock shocked MVG with this nine-darter on the Grand Slam of Darts final yr
With MVG up towards Josh Rock first, Bridge believes an upset could possibly be on the playing cards.
He mentioned: “That is most likely one match the place you may get on the prime seeds very early, however Van Gerwen is aware of Rock very nicely. It could be an enormous assertion if Rock was to win this match and that is the match the place you see seeds crash out early on. It is an amazing match and a really open one.
“You may toss a coin at so many of those video games, which is good for darts. It has changed into golf the place you can decide as much as 14 gamers and make a very good case as to why he would win this one.”
Does Michael Smith want run?
Michael Smith doesn’t have one of the best document on the World Grand Prix
“Smith has performed on this occasion 10 occasions and he is solely received two matches. He is acquired a horrible document,” mentioned ‘Prime Time’ Edgar.
“Nevertheless, his opponent Callan Rydz will most likely simply actually get pleasure from this expertise. He is enjoying anyone who could be an enormous scalp and a giant story to beat the world No 1 and world champion, and Smith is somebody who clearly hates this format.”
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Watch how Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pyke reacted to the sensational leg between MVG and Smith within the World Championship Last that culminated in a nine-darter for Bully Boy
Watch how Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pyke reacted to the sensational leg between MVG and Smith within the World Championship Last that culminated in a nine-darter for Bully Boy
Can Danny Noppert check Worth in any respect?
Gerwyn Worth shall be favorite to advance previous Dutchman Danny Noppert
“He can however he is been dropping type massively over the past couple of years,” mentioned Edgar. “He is been dropping about two factors off his common since his peak a few years in the past.
“Noppert has made an upward pattern nevertheless it’s additionally very alarming how fast he is coming again down the opposite facet. I simply do not see something apart from a Gerwyn Worth win on this one.”
Are there shocks anymore?
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Take pleasure in one of the best moments from the World Grand Prix, from the primary 9 darter, Andy Callaby beating Phil Taylor and MVG’s first TV title win
Take pleasure in one of the best moments from the World Grand Prix, from the primary 9 darter, Andy Callaby beating Phil Taylor and MVG’s first TV title win
“I do not know what it’s. Is it in case you begin poorly then the non-seeds scent blood? I am genuinely not shocked once I see massive names exit in such an unforgiving format when it comes to the primary spherical,” mentioned Bridge. “However are there shocks within the first spherical? I do not know.”
“I feel we have seen the times of shocks go when Phil Taylor misplaced to Andy Callaby all these years in the past and when Kevin Painter first burst on the scene, he additionally beat Taylor,” Edgar mentioned. “We have seen it with Van Gerwen and Smith lately.
“We take a look at Dave Chisnall, who has made the ultimate on this occasion. He both goes deep or he goes out within the first spherical. It is going to most likely be the case with a variety of seeds.”
The place is Peter Wright at?
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On the most recent episode of Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Matthew Edgar give their predictions for the World Grand Prix
On the most recent episode of Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Matthew Edgar give their predictions for the World Grand Prix
“I do not even know Wright is aware of the place he is at,” quipped Edgar. “I’ve all the time backed Peter Wright however we have seen him change his throw, we have seen him change his darts in between matches and photographs as occasions and I simply suppose it is grow to be a bit of too widespread.
“Saying that, that is nonetheless Peter Wright and it would not shock me if he wins the match. That is the form of match that fits him as a result of you do not have to depend on rhythm, however saying that his type will not be there.”
What about Gary Anderson’s possibilities?
Gary Anderson ticks all of the containers to trigger a shock or two in Leicester
“He is enjoying extra darts than ever and he is acquired one of the best win fee since 2018 when he received the World Matchplay, the UK Open and the World Cup so he could be a actually severe contender right here,” feels Edgar. “The numbers and the stats actually help a case for Anderson.
“He has reached the ultimate right here earlier than so the format will not be an issue. He ticks all of the containers as a shock package deal.”
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