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Who will reach the World Grand Prix semi-finals?

World Grand Prix Darts: Thursday's quarter-final predictions, odds, betting tips & TV times

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Thu October 04, 2018 · 6y ago

It's the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Dublin on Thursday so here's the full order of play, match predictions, Sky Bet odds and a suggested accumulator.

After 24 games, of which 17 have incredibly been whitewashes, we're down to the last eight players in the unique double-start set-play major at the Citywest Hotel.

Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic and Dave Chisnall have all cruised through without dropping a set while they've only lost 12 legs between them in 25 sets!

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: Thursday October 4

Click on the odds for more Sky Bet match markets

TV Coverage: Sky Sports (7pm BST)
Quarter-finals Round: Best of 5 sets, players must start and finish each leg on a double

Mensur Suljovic (2/5) v Gerwyn Price (2/1)

Head-to-head: 3-8
2018 meetings: 1-1

I'll hold my hands up - I opposed Mensur Suljovic in both of his previous matches only to see him win both for the loss of just three legs overall.

While the Austrian was aided by a poor display from James Wade in round one, he was brilliant against the in-form Ian White on Wednesday night as he nailed four 100+ checkouts and made three finishes on the bullseye.

Diamond's poor finishing meant he wasn't put under any real pressure and I'm not sure Gerwyn Price will be able to either judging from his mediocre performances so far by comparison.

Interestingly Price does have a superior head-to-head record but Suljovic has won two of their last three meetings, including during this season's Premier League, and I'm going to side with the Gentle.

You can back him at 2/1 to win and throw more 180s, which is appealing when you bare in mind Price has only managed two across both games so far.

Prediction: 3-1

Peter Wright (2/7) v James Wilson (13/5)

Head-to-head: 4-0
2018 meetings: 2-0

"Apparently this competition is all about Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson. We're just here to turn up apparently, so some commentators keep saying. It feels like sometimes we're not invited to the party but sorry guys I'm going to gatecrash that party - I'll be there in the final."

Strong words from Peter Wright after his second successive whitewash victory - albeit not as impressive stats wise as the first - and you have to say he's got a point.

Snakebite produced a scintillating finishing display to beat MVG at last month's Champions League of Darts, where he lost to Anderson in the final, and picked up where he left off in his opening-round win here against Steve West by averaging 98 - the best in this year's tournament so far - and hitting six of his 10 attempts at doubles.

While he didn't let West have even one shot at a double, Jermaine Wattimena had 11 but only made two as Wright charged through with an average of 92.

I did back James Wilson to see off Simon Whitlock and Adrian Lewis at a good prices in the previous two rounds but he hasn't quite produced the levels needed to see off a hungry Wright and I'm not sure how high his ceiling for improvement is.

That said, I think it'll be an entertaining game with plenty of 100+ checkouts and you can get 5/2 on their being three or more. Wright may have only managed 'only' two but that's not bad considering how few legs he's played.

Prediction: 3-1

Daryl Gurney (23/10) v Gary Anderson (1/3)

Head-to-head: 7-7 (1 draw)
2018 meetings: 1-1 (1 draw)

It's very difficult to go against Gary Anderson given his incredible form at majors this season having already won the UK Open, World Matchplay and Champions League of Darts.

However the Flying Scotsman, who had concerns over an old back problem heading into the tournament, admitted his "throw doesn't feel comfortable" after thrashing Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 for the loss of just one leg.

Whether that's a smokescreen or not, I don't know, but if he is struggling then it only takes an opponent to take him through the mill to cause an upset.

And Daryl Gurney could be that man.

Not only is he the defending champion here but he's also got a pretty good record against Anderson, winning five and drawing one of their eight televised matches.

His most impressive was at the 2017 World Matchplay but most recently he claimed a 10-8 victory in the Champions League of Darts group stages prior to Anderson's superb recovery in the tournament.

Gurney finished very well against John Henderson and although he survived a bit of a scare against Ron Meulenkamp in round two, he won't fear Anderson in a battle.

Prediction: 3-2

Michael van Gerwen (1/8) v Dave Chisnall (5/1)

Head-to-head: 42-9 (2 draws)
2018 meetings: 4-0

Siding against Gary Anderson is perhaps bold enough for one night, so you'll think I'm mad for opposing Michael van Gerwen as well!

There's no getting away from the fact Dave Chisnall has got a horrible record against MVG. They've played 21 times since Chizzy's last victory in February 2016 and the best he's managed is a draw in the 2017 Premier League.

You have to go back to 2013 for the last time he beat the world number one on TV so why on earth could it happen now?

It's also been a barren year in Chisnall's career having failed to win any titles while a disappointing 2017 saw him cut from the Premier League.

But, and it's potentially a big but, the St Helens man is looking relaxed and happy up at the oche in this tournament, firing in 180s at will like the good old days and hardly dropping a leg. It was unexpected too given his woeful Champions League of Darts campaign a week earlier, when he lost all three group games including two heavy ones against van Gerwen and Anderson.

Coupled with this, there's been more than enough examples this year of van Gerwen showing vulnerabilities if his opponent gives him a game and maybe the time is right for Chizzy?

As he's as big as 5/1 just to win, I'm not throwing any extras into the mix! If you want to play a bit safer, go with Chisnall at +1.5 sets on the handicap, which I've done in my acca below.

Prediction: 2-3