World Darts Championship Betting Preview – Van Gerwen back on song?
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Find the latest odds ahead of the action from Alexandra Palace
With a limited crowd allowed in for the action we may not see the usual raucous atmosphere at Ally Pally – but the World Championships are always a special event.
Michael van Gerwen has finally found some form, is he ready to reclaim his crown? Can Gerwyn Price move on from last year’s semi-final heartbreak? Or will defending champ Peter Wright find his mojo?
We take a look at the favourites in our World Darts Championship betting preview…
It hasn’t quite been a vintage year for Mighty Mike. After his UK Open win in March, the world no. 1 went on a long barren streak, until finally claiming victory at the Players Championships at the beginning of December.
At times his confidence has seemed fragile – worlds away from the serial winner we’ve all come to expect. But that thrilling Players Championship final win over Mervyn King couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dutchman.
With a big confidence boost from that victory as well as a huge comeback win over Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals, he should be raring to go here – as he looks to claim his fourth World Championship.
The Iceman might have considered changing his nickname to ‘Mr Consistent’ at one point this year, after shedding his pantomime villain persona and exchanging it for that of a winning machine.
Victories in the World Grand Prix, World Series and World Cup have seen his status grow and he looked virtually unbeatable back in October. The former Rugby League player is a great showman and will enjoy playing in front of a crowd once more, though he may find himself missing the boos that used to follow him.
A World Championships semi-finalist last year, Price lost to eventual winner Peter Wright in a tempestuous 6-3 loss as he lost his cool, refusing to shake his opponent’s hand in defeat. Iceman will need to keep a cooler head if he wants to win it here, but he’s proven more than capable of doing just that throughout a strong 2020.
Last year’s winner hasn’t been shy when discussing his struggles this year. Despite taking several televised titles, Snakebite has found motivation hard to come by without crowds there to energise him.
As recently as the Grand Slam, the Scotsman suggested he was ready to walk away from the sport, but having fans back at the Ally Pally could be just the boost he needs.
In fact, in recent interviews he suggested he’s as relaxed as he’s ever been, having already achieved his dream of becoming a World Champion.
He’ll need to put some poor performances in 2020 behind him to reach the heights of last year, but in the man’s own words – he’s ready to go in “guns blazing”.
After the ‘Big Three’, the 30-year old Englishman comes next in the betting. After ending a two-year title drought back in November’s Winter Series, he’ll have felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders.
Can he follow that up with a maiden major win? So far his major career has been a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride, with four runner-up finishes – including a 3-7 loss to van Gerwen back in 2019’s World Championship final.
Will Bully Boy finally go one better?
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