It's night one of the World Grand Prix, featuring Gary Anderson and MVG

World Grand Prix Darts: Sunday predictions, odds, betting tips, order of play & TV times

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Sun September 30, 2018 · 6y ago

The 21st staging of the prestigious World Grand Prix gets under way on Sunday night in Dublin so here's the full order of play, predictions, Sky Bet odds and a suggested accumulator.

There are eight matches to get the PDC's third longest running major up and running at the Citywest Hotel, with the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and defending champion Daryl Gurney all in action.

Will the favourites all win or will this unique double-start set play format play havoc like it did 12 months ago?

Below we have tonight's full running order, Chris Hammer's match-by-match previews & predictions as well as his main suggested bets and accumulator.

World Grand Prix: Sunday September 30

Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets

TV Coverage: Sky Sports (7pm BST)
First Round: Best of 3 sets, players must start and finish each leg on a double

Jeffrey de Zwaan (8/11) v Kim Huybrechts (11/10)

Head-to-head: 2-0
2018 meetings: 0-0

Jeffrey de Zwaan is getting the taste for the big stage having knocked out Michael van Gerwen at both this season's UK Open and World Matchplay, where he so brilliantly reached the semi-finals.

Now he has the pressure of being favourite against an experienced campaigner who hasn't enjoyed much success of late.

That said this very dangerous format, especially over just three sets in the opening round, can favour a confidence player like Huybrechts if he can blast out of the blocks.

Prediction: 1-2

Ron Meulenkamp (13/8) v Joe Cullen (1/2)

Head-to-head: 2-1
2018 meetings: 0-0

I've backed Joe Cullen in my outright preview (click here to read it) so I'm obviously backing him here!

Prediction: 0-2

Darren Webster (8/11) v Stephen Bunting (11/10)

Head-to-head: 2-2
2018 meetings: 0-0

There's so little between these players in terms of general quality and 2018 form that we may just as well go with the outsider. I know that doesn't sound a very scientific strategy, but this unique format can throw usual logic out of the window.

Prediction: 1-2

Ricky Evans (23/10) v Raymond van Barneveld (1/3)

Head-to-head: N/A
2018 meetings: N/A

I'm going to go with a shock win for the man who entertained the baffled Dutch crowd when walking out to Baby Shark during his run to a maiden European Tour final earlier this month.

This will be the 28-year-old's debut at this major so although this experience is new, I think he'll be faster out of the blocks than a potentially rusty Barney, who doesn't play much on the circuit these days.

Prediction: 2-1

Dave Chisnall (1/2) v Max Hopp (13/8)

Head-to-head: 3-2
2018 meetings: 0-0

Max Hopp has been one of the rising stars of the season having bagged his first two PDC titles, with the second coming as recently as Friday.

The young German, who beat Rob Cross, Peter Wright and Michael Smith when triumphing on the European Tour earlier this year, is full of confidence which can't be said for Dave Chisnall following his dismal showings at the Champions League of Darts.

If you lack belief then surely a double start format can potentially make matters even worse!

Prediction: 0-2

Daryl Gurney (2/5) v John Henderson (2/1)

Head-to-head: 3-2
2018 meetings: 0-0

Big John Henderson was a 400/1 no hoper this time 12 months ago but then beat MVG to cause a seismic shock on opening night.

He went on to reach his first major semi-final, where he ran into eventual champion Daryl Gurney and suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat.

The Highlander, however, got his revenge at the World Championship, and you really can't rule out an upset here given his steady unflappable style of play which suits this format.

Gurney has fond memories of this stage but he's not reached the same heights since and last week let negative body language get the better of him during the Champions League of Darts. Do that again tonight, and he's going home.

Prediction: 1-2

Michael van Gerwen (1/10) v Steve Lennon (6/1)

Head-to-head: 5-0
2018 meetings: 4-0

I am tempted to go for another shock here but apart from the format leveller, nothing is in Steve Lennon's favour here.

That said, the same could be said about Henderson last year!

Prediction: 2-0

Gary Anderson (1/4) v Jonny Clayton (3/1)

Head-to-head: 5-1
2018 meetings: 0-0

Gary Anderson has been cleaning up on the majors he'd not previously won before this season having already picked up the UK Open, World Matchplay and Champions League of Darts.

The World Grand Prix, which he missed last year, is next on his list but while I'm sceptical about his back holding up for a long week, he should get through this test.

Clayton was on hot form earlier in 2018 when he won his maiden European Tour title and went deep in a number of floor events but in recent months he's just let things slip.

If he's short on confidence, then a hungry Anderson will gobble him up.

Prediction: 2-0