World Grand Prix Darts: Day four predictions, odds, betting tips, order of play & TV time
The second round at the World Grand Prix darts concludes in Dublin tonight so here's the full order of play, odds, predictions, best bet and a suggested accumulator.
Two of the three remaining seeded players left in a World Grand Prix full of shocks are back on the oche in Dublin tonight as Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic bid to set up a quarter-final showdown.
Here, we have tonight's full running order, the Sky Bet odds, Chris Hammer's predicted scoreline for each game, his best bet of the night and suggested accumulator.
World Grand Prix Darts: Wednesday October 4
Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets
- Second Round: Best of five sets
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports Main Event (1900 BST)
Gerwyn Price (4/5) v Benito van de Pas (1/1)
Gerwyn Price was my best bet on Monday night when he sprung a very minor surprise by defeating seventh seed Michael Smith and now he finds himself as very marginal favourite against Benito van de Pas in a battle between two players who are chasing bright futures. The way this tournament has gone, both will no doubt be eyeing a potential maiden televised major title - let alone a place in the final - plus the lucrative doors it should open, such as a very likely Premier League invite for 2018. They've both beaten each other three times although the only time they've met on the televised stage came here 12 months ago, with Big Ben winning 2-0 in the first round. Neither have won any PDC tournaments this season but Price was of course UK Open runner-up back in March and has featured reached the quarter-finals or further in 14 events this season compared to van de Pas' seven. The Welshman's finishing was better than the Dutch ace in their first-round meeting and I felt the latter was let off the hook a little by Cristo Reyes. It's hard to split them but I think I've found enough reason to side with Price again.
- Prediction: 3-2
Mensur Suljovic (1/3) v Steve West (5/2)
If this year's World Grand Prix has taught us anything it's that favourites tags are pretty meaningless in a double start format! A year after causing a huge upset by beating 11-time champion Phil Taylor in the opening round, Steve West was at it again on Monday night when he sent the 2007 and 2010 winner James Wade packing. It obviously wasn't on the scale of MVG's exit but even so, Mensur Suljovic ought to be wary. The Austrian looked nervy as he avoided a first-round scare against Ian White and his relief at hitting key doubles was clear for all to see. Surprisingly really considering how ruthless he's been at finishing in recent weeks - most notably at the Champions League of Darts, where he clinched his first televised title. West wasn't happy with his display against the Machine even though he did land three pivotal 100+ checkouts, so I reckon he could grab at least one set tonight. The bet that attracts my eye is Suljovic to win, hit over 2.5 180s and have a checkout of over 100.5 at a Price Boosted 3/1 at Sky Bet. For anyone who has seen him play recently, they are fairly modest targets and he should have ample opportunity to hit them if it goes at least four sets.
- Prediction: 3-1
Richard North (2/1) v Simon Whitlock (2/5)
Interesting match up this. Unless you're mad into your darts, Richard North's debut 2-0 win here against Gary Anderson's replacement Mark Webster on Monday might have been the first time you've seen him play. He only turned pro at the top of the year after winning a PDC tour card during qualifying school but his impressive season on the circuit earned him a shot on the TV stage. The Hampshire thrower only dropped one leg, although that was more down to Webby's awful finishing, and will now play close friend Simon Whitlock, who he's in debt to. North said: "If it wasn't for Simon I wouldn't be here. He gave me the confidence to do what I'm doing now, saying I was good enough and pushing me on so it will be hard playing Simon. We practised together before this game and we both knew we could meet in the second round, and we know each other's games inside out - but I don't think it will affect us. I've beaten him twice on the ProTour but that won't mean anything because he's a TV player. He's got all the experience but I just want to enjoy it - it should be interesting and a close game." That second victory over the Wizard came as recently as last Friday in a Players Championship event so I think that's the angle here. Maybe he knows Whitlock's game a lot better than the Australian knows his?
Prediction: 3-2
Peter Wright (2/9) v Mervyn King (100/30)
Peter Wright shouldn't be here. Snakebite got out of jail big time against Stephen Bunting and by doing so, undeservedly cemented his place at the head of the betting following MVG's exit and Gary Anderson's withdrawal. For those who missed it, Wright failed to hit a starting double in his first five darts when trailing 2-1 in the final set but still managed to catch up to Bunting and make him pay for missing two match darts. To be fair, Wright's match stats looked pretty good with an average of 95 but that was enhanced by a superb second set sandwiched by two sloppy ones. I'm sure his awful record here (one win in his last five appearances) will have been in his thinking, plus seeing other high-profile players crash out can create a feeling of uncertainty for big fish rather than one of greater opportunity, even though it should of course be the latter. Now he's got that awkward opener out of the way, you can expect a more assured display against Mervyn King, who could afford plenty of wasteful finishing to see off a disappointing Ronny Huybrechts. With Wright so short, I'm going for him to win, hit over 2.5 180s and manage a checkout of over 96.5 at 11/10.
Prediction: 3-1
Wednesday's best darts bet
Suljovic to win, hit over 2.5 180s and have a checkout of over 100.5 at 3/1 (Price Boost)