World Grand Prix Darts: Player-by-player predictions including MVG, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright & Mensur Suljovic

The PDC's third-longest running major - behind the World Championship & World Matchplay - takes place in Dublin (October 1-7), live on Sky Sports, as the biggest names bid for World Grand Prix glory.

It is, of course, the only televised event in which players must start and finish each leg on a double or the bullseye and this unique format often prompts punters to side even more heavily with those players they deem a better 'finisher' rather than those renowned for heavy scoring.

However, the most successful player in the tournament's long history, Phil Taylor, has opted against competing to win a 12th title as he continues to wind down his career ahead of retirement and stay fresh for his other prime targets, including the World Championship.

Here, we profile the main contenders - as well as the rest of the 32-man field - and predict how far each will go, while you can click here for the full draw and daily schedule. (All odds correct as of 1700 BST on 28/09/2017)

By Chris Hammer (also click here for his World Grand Prix betting tips)

* Written before Gary Anderson withdrew due to the impending birth of his second child with partner Rachel

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN

• Nickname: Mighty Mike
• Date of Birth: 25/041989
• Nationality: Dutch
• Seeding: 1
• World Ranking (September 25): 1
• Walk-on music: Seven Nation Army, White Stripes
• Sky Bet odds: 4/5
• Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2014 & 2017), 2x World Matchplay champion (2015, 2016), 3x Premier League champion (2013, 2016, 2017), 3x World Grand Prix champion (2012, 2014, 2016), 2x UK Open champion (2015, 2016), 2x Grand Slam of Darts champion (2015, 2016), 3x European champion (2014, 2015, 2016), 3x Masters champion (2015, 2016, 2017), 3x Players Championship Finals champion ( 2013, 2015, 2016), 2x World Cup winner (2014, 2017) & over 50 other PDC titles!

To say MVG's success has been 'below par' by his standards this season says it all really. He's won more titles than anyone else with 13 and continues to be unbeatable when he produces his brilliant best.

However, the world number one has shown signs of weakness, which have given his rivals a lot more hope than they felt in 2016. Albeit still slim.

He only just kept grip of his Premier League crown thanks to Peter Wright missing six match darts in the final while Phil Taylor thrashed him 16-6 in the World Matchplay quarter-finals and defeats to the Power and Raymond van Barneveld meant he couldn't even get out of his Champions League of Darts group.

Fortunately for him, Taylor won't be making life awkward for him in Dublin and I have no doubts he'll be more determined and angry than usual to get another major title under his best.

Prediction: The only potential banana skin for him en route to the final is going to be Barney in a potential last-eight clash but he'll be out for revenge and I'd back him to get it. I wouldn't put anyone off lumping on him to win this title once again.

GARY ANDERSON

• Nickname: The Flying Scotsman
• Date of Birth: 22/12/1970
• Nationality: Scottish
• Seeding: 2
• World Ranking (September 25): 2
• Walk-on music: Jump Around, House of Pain
• Sky Bet odds: 5/1
• Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2015, 2016), 2x Premier League champion (2011, 2015), Players Championship Finals champion (2014), over 30 other PDC titles, runner-up in 10 other major finals including the World Championship, UK Open, World Grand Prix & Champions League of Darts

The Flying Scotsman obviously has the explosive scoring power, lethal finishing and high checkout ability to beat absolutely anyone.

Despite losing to Mensur Suljovic twice at the recent Champions League of Darts, he did at least reach the final and also won a high-class Perth Darts Masters in August so he is reaching a good level of form heading into this crucial stage of the season.

Prediction: He won't be happy about being in the same half of the draw as Mensur Suljovic, that's for sure! But if their paths do cross it won't be until the semi-finals, which he should reach at the very least. If it's Peter Wright who awaits then he has the psychological edge in that battle.

PETER WRIGHT

• Nickname: Snakebite
• Date of Birth: 10/03/1970
• Nationality: Scottish
• Seeding: 3
• World Ranking (September 18): 3
• Walk-on music: Don't Stop The Party, Pitbull
• Sky Bet odds: 8/1
• Career highlights: UK Open champion (2017), World Championship runner-up (2014), Premier League runner-up (2017), World Matchplay runner-up (2017) 17 non-televised PDC titles and four more televised final appearances. Fourth player to win 10 PDC tournaments in a calendar year (2017)

A landmark season in the career of Snakebite includes his maiden televised title at the UK Open while his triumph in Sunday's International Darts Open on the European Tour (beating my 25/1 tip Kim Huybrechts in the final - grrr!) means he's now become just the fourth player ever to win 10 PDC tournaments in a calendar year.

It could have been an even better season for the Premier League and World Matchplay runner-up and he knows his talents warrants another big one on his CV.

Prediction: He'd look like a banker for the quarter-finals if this was any other normal major but he does struggle in this one and has never been beyond the second round. He could face Mensur Suljovic in the last eight but we all know what happened when they both met in the Champions League of Darts. If he beats the Austrian (or potentially James Wade) then it's likely to be Gary Anderson next and to be quite honest, he's really been struggling in their heated rivalry.

ADRIAN LEWIS

• Nickname: Jackpot
• Date of Birth: 21/011985
• Nationality: English
• Seeding: 4
• World Ranking (September 25): 5
• Walk-on music: Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag, Pigbag
• Sky Bet odds: 33/1
• Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2011, 2012), UK Open champion (2014), European champion (2013), 4x World Cup winner (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016), 17 other PDC titles, runner-up in 10 majors including 2011 Premier League & 2016 World Championship

Amazing to think he battled all the way to the World Matchplay semi-finals this year despite still feeling the effects of surgery to cure his painful back problem.

In the long run this procedure will hopefully help prolong his career, which is due another peak, but he looked pretty rusty to say the least when he returned to action at the Champions League of Darts and nobody should expect too much from Jackpot in Dublin.

Prediction: If he's made a full recovery then he has semi-final potential but we won't really know until we see him in action. He has a tough opening match against Daryl Gurney too.

DAVE CHISNALL

• Nickname: Chizzy
• Date of Birth: 12/09/1980
• Nationality: English
• Seeding: 5
• World Ranking (September 25): 6
• Walk-on music: Dizzy, Vic Reeves & Wonderstuff
• Sky Bet odds: 28/1
• Career highlights: World Grand Prix runner-up (2013), Grand Slam of Darts runner-up (2014), Masters runner-up (2016), Players Championship Finals runner-up (2016), winner of 12 non-televised PDC titles

Chizzy is still waiting for his maiden televised title but the longer his career at this level goes on without one, the harder it gets. Especially with so many good young players rising up the ranks.

Always good for a 180 or plenty, the St Helens thrower is one of the most popular players on the circuit - both with his fellow pros and the fans - so should he finally ever get the job done, there won't be many dry eyes in the house.

Prediction: Struggling for consistency at the moment and it's hard to see him come through a tough quarter of the draw. And if he does, he'll probably be up against MVG in the semis!

MENSUR SULJOVIC

• Nickname: The Gentle
• Date of Birth: 05/03/1972
• Nationality: Austrian
• Seeding: 6
• World Ranking (September 25): 7
• Walk-on music: Simply The Best, Tina Turner
• Sky Bet odds: 22/1
• Career highlights: Champions League of Darts champion (2017), European Championship runner-up (2016), winner of two non-televised PDC titles, 2015 World Grand Prix semi-finalist on debut

Mensur Suljovic's popularity is soaring after he defied pre-tournament odds of 40/1 to win the Champions League of Darts - and he did so in style too, beating Gary Anderson (twice), Peter Wright, Dave Chisnall and Raymond van Barneveld.

His scoring, finishing and ability to hit high checkouts under pressure (that 160 to beat Barney was particularly special!) made even more darts fans than ever sit up and take notice, especially with it being on the Beeb, so I'm sure he'll have more than a few backers at 22/1!

His slow style can make life awkward for his quicker opponents - like Anderson - and he has plenty of talent to spring more surprises should he face Anderson or Wright again.

Prediction: Does one magic weekend make him a prolific winner of majors? It would be astonishing for him to go all the way once again but I'd fully expect him in the quarter-finals at least, especially having seemingly enjoyed the format on debut in 2015 when he reached the last four.

MICHAEL SMITH

• Nickname: Bully Boy
• Date of Birth: 18/09/1990
• Nationality: English
• Seeding: 7
• World Ranking (September 25): 11
• Walk-on music: Shut Up & Dance, Walk The Moon
• Sky Bet odds: 50/1
• Career highlights: World Youth Champion (2013), winner of seven non-televised PDC titles

This St Helens thrower really needs to start being known for more than being a former world youth champion who hits a lot of 180s.

To be fair, he's now moving much quicker in the right direction with a European Tour title in Gibraltar this season as well as a run to a final in Austria, where MVG beat him 6-5.

Prediction: He'll find it very tough to beat Gerwyn Price in his opener and then it's either Benito van de Pas or Cristo Reyes before a potential meeting with his former mentor Gary Anderson. He won't go further.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

• Nickname: Barney
• Date of Birth: 20/04/1967
• Nationality: Dutch
• Seeding: 8
• World Ranking (September 25): 8
• Walk-on music: Eye of The Tiger, Survivor
• Sky Bet odds: 33/1
• Career highlights: PDC World Champion (2007), 4x BDO world champion (1998, 1999, 2003, 2005), 2x UK Open champion (2006, 2007), Premier League champion (2014), Grand Slam of Darts champion (2012), 3x World Cup winner (2010, 2014, 2017), 20 other PDC titles, runner-up in eight majors including the World Championship, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix

Everybody loves Raymond. And everyone would love to see him end his three-year drought for a major TV title in Dublin.

His semi-final defeat to Mensur Suljovic at the Champions League of Darts would have really hurt having done the hardest bit by getting out of a group with MVG and Phil Taylor but it summed up why he's finding titles so hard to come by these days. Consistency.

Prediction: He may get the chance to get one over on MVG once again in the quarters but getting past the in-form duo of Kyle Anderson and Rob Cross (potentially) will be hard enough even if the right Barney turns up.

JELLE KLAASEN

• Nickname: The Cobra
• Date of Birth: 17/13/1984
• Nationality: Dutch
• World Ranking (September 25): 9
• Walk-on music: Sex On Fire, Kings of Leon
• Sky Bet odds: 100/1
• Career highlights: BDO world champion (2006), winner of three non-televised PDC titles

We've all expected more success from this Dutch talent. Not only since his Lakeside title in 2006, but when his thrilling triumph over Phil Taylor 10 years later en route to the World Championship semi-finals gave his career a second wind of sorts.

But he's only amounted to being a consistent entertaining performer without winning much at all. 

Prediction: He's actually in the most wide open of quarters alongside Chisnall, Robert Thonrton, Kim Huybrechts, Adrian Lewis, Daryl Gurney, Joe Cullen and Darren Webster. I'm personally thinking it will be between Huybrechts and Cullen but Klaasen will have his backers at a decent price.

JAMES WADE

• Nickname: The Machine
• Date of Birth: 06/04/1983
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 10
• Walk-on music: The Boys Are Back In Town, Thin Lizzy
• Sky Bet odds: 33/1
• Career highlights: 2x World Grand Prix champion (2007, 2010), World Matchplay champion (2007), Premier League champion (2009), 2x UK Open champion (2008, 2011), Masters champion (2014), 20 non-televised PDC titles, runner-up in 11 televised majors

It feels like he's been around forever but Wade is only 34 so I scoff at anyone who say his best days are behind him. Sure, all his major titles - including the World Grand Prix twice - have come a long way back in the past but considering he's still operating at a high level, there's surely plenty of time for further improvement?

He relies on his 'timing' to pick off opponents but he needs to find a way to reach the same kind of scoring power that the likes of MVG, Anderson, Wright and Taylor can and have achieved to get back into the winners' enclosure again.

Prediction: The Machine will do well to see off Mensur Suljovic should they clash in the second round and even if he does, I'd expect Wright to see him off in the quarters.

DARYL GURNEY

• Nickname: SuperChin
• Date of Birth: 22/03/1986
• Nationality: Northern Irish
• World Ranking (September 25): 12
• Walk-on music: Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
• Sky Bet odds: 33/1
• Career highlights: World Matchplay semi-finalist (2017), World Championship quarter-finalist (2017), UK Open semi-finalist (2017), winner of one non-televised PDC title

The Northern Irishman has been climbing up the rankings at quite some speed as he continues to show just why he could be the next player to break into the Premier League contingent.

Having reached five finals prior to the World Matchplay, I backed SuperChin at 80/1 each-way and 10/1 to win his quarter in Blackpool and he didn't disappoint - as far as the latter bet was concerned - as he reached the semi-finals, where he lost to Peter Wright.

Prediction: He reached the last eight in Dublin last season but whether he gets any further will be tough and at 4/1 to win his quarter, I think there's probably better value.

KIM HUYBRECHTS

• Nickname: The Hurricane
• Date of Birth: 16/11/1985
• Nationality: Belgian
• World Ranking (September 25): 13
• Walk-on music: Hi Ho Silver Lining, Jeff Beck
• Sky Bet odds: 150/1
• Career highlights: Players Championship Finals runner-up in 2012, World Cup runner-up (2013), winner of four non-televised PDC titles

I backed the Hurricane at 25/1 each-way at last weekend's International Darts Open so it was agonising him to lose a last-leg decider to Peter Wright in the final!

However, he is a player who tends to finds hot form in bursts and I'm expecting him to stay in this little purple patch for a few games in Dublin at least.

I very doubt it'll be good enough to give MVG much of a scare in the semi-finals so his wait for a maiden TV title will continue but these are the sort of tournaments he needs to impress in if he's to stand a chance of another Premier League call-up.

Prediction: The Belgian is a good bet at 9/1 to win his quarter but so is Joe Cullen at 11/1. The pair could well meet in the last eight so no harm in backing them both.

IAN WHITE

• Nickname: Diamond
• Date of Birth: 17/08/1970
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 14
• Walk-on music:  Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry
• Sky Bet odds: 125/1
• Career highlights: Winner of seven non-televised PDC titles

A player who has beaten MVG 6-0 and 6-1 in two of their last five meetings dating back to April 2016 is clearly a threat. The whitewash gave him his first of three Players Championship titles in 2016, which takes his career tally to seven, while the 6-1 earlier this year was only good enough to reach a semi-final on the European Tour.

He's reached seven major quarter-finals over the past four years but this is when the matches get longer and he can't sustain his A game.

Interestingly out of everyone in the field, White does have the highest checkout percentage in ranked events in 2017 with 44.44% - a key factor in a double-start event.

Prediction: He meets Mensur Suljovic first and that could well be it!

BENITO VAN DE PAS

• Nickname: Big Ben
• Date of Birth: 18/01/1993
• Nationality: Dutch
• World Ranking (September 25): 15
• Walk-on music:  I Was Made For Loving You, Kiss
• Sky Bet odds: 100/1
• Career highlights: Winner of three non-televised PDC titles

Bags of potential, Big Ben has surged up the Order of Merit over the past year and a half thanks to three Players Championship titles in 2016 while his best display this year was a run to a European Tour final in Germany where he was beaten 6-5 by Peter Wright.

On that day the young Dutchman averaged an astonishing 110 compared to Snakebite's 97 but ultimately a missed match dart on double seven proved costly as his ruthless opponent took out 121 with a bullseye finish.

Apart from that he's only ventured beyond the quarter-finals once on tour this year so he's still got plenty to prove. 

Prediction: His clash with Cristo Reyes first up is a bit of a 50:50 call and then it's another winnable match with either Michael Smith or Gerwyn Price. If he's still alive by that point he'll probably run into Gary Anderson.

SIMON WHITLOCK

• Nickname: The Wizard
• Date of Birth: 03/03/1969
• Nationality: Australian
• World Ranking (September 25): 16
• Walk-on music: Down Under, Men at Work
• Sky Bet odds: 80/1
• Career highlights: European champion (2012), World Championship runner-up (2010), Premier League runner-up (2012), winner of 16 non-televised TV titles

The experienced Wizard's spells have helped him win three floor tournaments this season but the last of those was back in March.

That said his consistency of going deep in the Players Championship and European Tour events means he's currently as high as fourth on the ProTour Order of Merit list so he should never be underestimated.

Prediction: He should beat Christian Kist first but then it's Gary Anderson. Game over.

ROBERT THORNTON

• Nickname: The Thorn
• Date of Birth: 17/07/1967
• Nationality: Scottish
• World Ranking (September 25): 18
• Walk-on music: The Thorn
• Sky Bet odds: 250/1
• Career highlights: World Grand Prix champion (2015), UK Open (2012), winner of 11 non-televised PDC titles

If Thornton is unable to win anything else in his career - which isn't unlikely considering he's going through a barren spell at the age of 50 - he'll be able to retire with the satisfaction of beating the best two players ever to claim his major titles.

He thrashed Phil Taylor 11-5 to win the UK Open in 2012 before pinching the World Grand Prix title from MVG in a stunning Dublin final of 2015 - a year after he was involved in 'that' match against James Wade when both players hit nine-darters.

But his confidence to perform to his best at the highest level was badly affected by his dismal Premier League campaign in 2016 while his irritable body language isn't going to help him challenge for the top prizes anymore. 

Prediction: A first-round exit at the hands of Kim Huybrechts.

The above 16 players - and eight seeds - were based on the highest ranked players on the PDC's main Order of Merit at the cut-off date (September 11).

The following 16 qualifiers earned their spots by virtue of being the highest ranked players on the Pro Tour Order of Merit who hadn't already qualified via the main PDC Order of Merit ranking. However, they are ranked in order of their main Order of Merit placement for direct comparison with the top 16 players.

ALAN NORRIS

• Nickname: Chuck
• Date of Birth: 21/02/1972
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 17
• Walk-on music: Maria (I Like It Loud), Scooter
• Sky Bet odds: 300/1
• Career highlights: BDO world championship runner-up (2014), World Championship quarter-finalist (2016), UK Open semi-finalist (2017), winner of three non-televised PDC titles

Chuck is a battler you should never underestimate on tour but while he'll fancy his chances of getting past Justin Pipe in his opening match, he'll then need a minor miracle to beat MVG for the first time.

Earlier this year he fought his way through to the UK Open semi-finals but was out-fought by Gerwyn Price as both players felt the pressure of such a fantastic opportunity. Afterwards he said: "You've got to work for your achievements, so I'll keep working at it but I'm going in the right direction" but I'm not sure he'll get a better chance than that in the biggest events.

Prediction: Calling his match against Pipe is like a flip of a coin but his potential second-round clash certainly isn't!

GERWYN PRICE

• Nickname: The Iceman
• Date of Birth: 07/03/1985
• Nationality: Welsh
• World Ranking (September 25): 19
• Walk-on music: Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby
• Sky Bet odds: 100/1
• Career highlights: UK Open runner-up (2017), winner of two non-televised PDC titles

Price has taken over from Justin Pipe as the 'best body in darts' - and by quite some distance it must be said - but the musclebound former rugby union player wants to be more than just oche eye-candy.

And he's on the right track too. The Welshman has made a rapid ascent up the rankings since joining the PDC circuit in 2014, winning back-to-back Players Championship events last year while also reaching his maiden major final at the UK Open, where he lost to Peter Wright.

Prediction: I reckon he can upset the odds a little and do a number on Michael Smith in the opening round and I'd back him to beat either of Benito van de Pas or Cristo Reyes. He won't go any further, however, if Gary Anderson is waiting.

JOE CULLEN

• Nickname: The Rockstar
• Date of Birth: 13/07/1989
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 20
• Walk-on music: Freed From Desire, Gala
• Sky Bet odds: 150/1
• Career highlights: Winner of two non-televised PDC events

Probably too cool to be a top darts player but with the sport's image changing massively there's no doubt Barry Hearn would love The Rockstar to reach the next level, having shown plenty of promise over the past year and a half.

His two Players Championship titles came this year, with the second coming in July, while he showed red hot form at the weekend's International Darts Open on the European Tour.

He averaged a tournament high 113 in the second round before knocking out Alan Norris and Simon Whitlock while he was a double 18 away from a nine-darter in this semi-final defeat to Kim Huybrechts.

Prediction: I really feel he's worth a bet at 11/1 alongside Kim Huybrechts (9/1) to win the second quarter of the draw given their immediate form and how open it is. Hopefully they'll meet in the last eight.

MERVYN KING

• Nickname: The King
• Date of Birth: 15/03/1966
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 21
• Walk-on music: King of Kings, Motorhead
• Sky Bet odds: 150/1
• Career highlights: Runner-up in five PDC majors including the 2009 Premier League Darts and 2014 Masters, winner of seven non-televised PDC titles. 

The King has the most epic walk-on music of them all - King of Kings by Motorhead - so it's such a shame it doesn't grace major finals anymore. He's past his peak years which saw him challenge for the sport's biggest prizes without winning one - not least the agonising 2014 Masters defeat to James Wade - but he's still a useful operator having reached a European Tour final this year.

He's had his fair share of run ins over the years but he's an emotional guy. Arguably one of the biggest lump in the throat moments from the 2017 World Championship was the sight of good old Merv fighting back the tears after his first round win. It meant so much to him so goodness knows how he'll react if he ever breaks his major duck.

Prediction: I'm predicting an early exit, with Ronny Huybrechts beating him in the first round.

STEPHEN BUNTING

• Nickname: The Bullet
• Date of Birth: 09/04/1985
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 22
• Walk-on music: Surfin' Bird, The Trashmen
• Sky Bet odds: 125/1
• Career highlights: BDO world champion (2014), World Grand Prix semi-finalist (2014), UK Open semi-finalist (2015), winner of two non-televised PDC titles

The Liverpool thrower initially made a promising start to his PDC career after winning the BDO crown in 2014 but he's struggled to build it.

And this year in particular he's struggling to go deep in many tournaments, reaching just one semi-final and two quarter-finals.

Prediction: Plays Peter Wright in his opening match - a man who has beaten him seven times on the trot. The trend will continue.

STEVE BEATON

• Nickname: The Bronzed Adonis
• Date of Birth: 05/04/1964
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 23
• Walk-on music: Stayin' Alive, Bee Gees
• Sky Bet odds: 300/1
• Career highlights: BDO world champion (1996), European championship runner-up (2009), winner of four non-televised PDC titles

As far as housewives choices go in darts, I always think of the Bronze Adonis as the original and the best. Beaton may not have the flowing curly locks of yesteryear but he's still got it, at 53 years young.

The popular Englishman is also enjoying something of a mini renaissance having landed his first title in four years back in June at a Players Championship event in Wigan, beating Gary Anderson in the final, while he reached the final of the Dutch Darts Masters at the start of September only to lose to MVG. There's life in the old dog yet.

Prediction: Very tough draw as he faces a rising star in Rob Cross in the first round and I'm not sure even his experienced will count for much.

DARREN WEBSTER

• Nickname: Demolition Man
• Date of Birth: 10/06/1968
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 25
• Walk-on music: Dancing In The Dark,- Bruce Springsteen
• Sky Bet odds: 150/1
• Career highlights: Players Championship Finals semi-finalist (2016), winner of two non-televised PDC titles

The Norwich thrower nearly produced one of the biggest stories of 2016 when he stormed into a 6-0 lead over MVG in his first major semi-final at the Players Championship Finals. But like being chased in a bad dream, he then predictably started wading through treacle as MVG hunted him down in a 11-8 victory but to his credit he's taken a lot of confidence from the whole experience.

He won his first ranking title for 12 years when defeating Daryl Gurney in a Players Championship final in July but since reaching the World Matchplay quarter-finals, his form has dipped off somewhat.

Prediction: He'll fancy his chances of winning the open second quarter but he plays one of my fancies in Joe Cullen so I'll have to predict him to head home early doors.

KYLE ANDERSON

• Nickname: The Original
• Date of Birth: 17/09/1987
• Nationality: Australian
• World Ranking (September 25): 27
• Walk-on music: "Solid Rock", Street Warriors feat. Shannon Noll
• Sky Bet odds: 80/1
• Career highlights: UK Open quarter-finalist (2016), European Championship quarter-finalist (2016), Auckland Darts Masters champion (2017), winner of one non-televised PDC title this year

The second best Anderson - by quite some distance - and the second best Australian - but only off the rankings - in the field.

On recent form, The Original has shown just why he'll soon overtake Simon Whitlock as top Aussie having won his maiden PDC ranking title at a Players Championship in August, with the aid of a nine-darter, and one week later he defeated future star Corey Cadby 11-10 in the Auckland Darts Masters final.

Prediction: He faces eighth seed Raymond van Barneveld in the opening round and he's got the game to spring a surprise if Barney has one of his mediocre days. After that I'd say he'd lose to Rob Cross in the second round.

CRISTO REYES

• Nickname: The Spartan
• Date of Birth: 30/07/1987
• Nationality: Spanish
• World Ranking (September 25): 28
• Walk-on music: Hall of Fame, The Script
• Sky Bet odds: 150/1
• Career highlights: Has reached the last 16 of six majors, including the 2015 World Championship

His 'career highlights' section above may not be the most flattering but this guy can do damage on a good day.

That said, he lost on probably his best ever day when he averaged 106.07 in a thrilling second-round defeat to MVG at the 2017 World Championship. At that moment in time it was the highest ever losing average in the tournament's history only for Barney to better that with a 109.34 in his semi-final loss to MVG. 

Prediction: I wouldn't be surprised to see him reaching his first major quarter-final although if he does, his run is likely to be ended by Gary Anderson.

JUSTIN PIPE

• Nickname: The Force
• Date of Birth: 09/11/1971
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 30
• Walk-on music: You Can Feel The Force, The Real Thing
• Sky Bet odds: 250/1
• Career highlights: World Grand Prix semi-finalist (2013), Players Championship Finals semi-finalist (2012, 2013), winner of six non-televised PDC titles

Probably a bit miffed to lose the unofficial 'best body in darts' crown to Gerwyn Price but there's certainly not a better break-dancer in the game.

You'd think the muscles he built up during his life as a tree surgeon would have suited a more macho style of play rather than his painfully slow game which has irked opponents down the years but it looks as though his rivals have got the measure of it these days.

Prediction: I won't be backing The Force in his first-round match with Alan Norris but he's not without a chance.

JOHN HENDERSON

• Nickname: Highlander
• Date of Birth: 04/05/1973
• Nationality: Scottish
• World Ranking (September 25): 32
• Walk-on music: Rockin' All Over The World, Status Quo
• Sky Bet odds: 500/1
• Career highlights: World Grand Prix quarter-finalist (2011), European Championship quarter-finalist (2015)

Big John is a popular chap and a lot of fun on the exhibition circuit. The closest he came to winning anything was when he reached a European Tour final in 2015 but he unfortunately found himself up against MVG.

He's been a steady operator on tour this season with three quarter-final appearances but that's hardly going to scare MVG ahead of their first-round encounter.

Prediction: Will struggle to win a leg against MVG in the opening round.

CHRISTIAN KIST

• Nickname: The Lipstick
• Date of Birth: 21/04/1986
• Nationality: Dutch
• World Ranking (September 25): 34
• Walk-on music: Thunderstruck, AC/DC
• Sky Bet odds: 300/1
• Career highlights: BDO world champion (2012)

The lowest ranked of five Dutchman in the field but he does have a world title to his name having conquered the BDO scene back in 2012.

A run to the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals that same year convinced him that he could mix it with the PDC lot but he's still waiting to do something special.

Prediction: Early exit at the hands of Simon Whitlock

STEVE WEST

• Nickname: Simply
• Date of Birth: 05/06/1975
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 36
• Walk-on music: Don't Stop Believin', Journey
• Sky Bet odds: 300/1
• Career highlights: Runs to the last 16 of two majors including the 2016 World Grand Prix

Steve West is a solid performer but he finally got his magic moment on a big stage with that stunning victory over 11-time champion Phil Taylor at last year's World Grand in Dublin. He struggled to get himself back down to earth in time for the second round, losing 3-0 to Daryl Gurney.

Prediction: Knows how to shock the best in this event so he won't be fazed about facing James Wade but I can't see him breaking the Machine.

ROB CROSS

• Nickname: Voltage
• Date of Birth: 21/09/1990
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 38
• Walk-on music: Jump, Kris Kross
• Sky Bet odds: 33/1
• Career highlights: Two non-televised PDC titles in 2017

The former electrician is enjoying a dream debut season on the PDC tour and has finally chosen a nickname, having asked darts fans via the PDC's social media to help him out!

After suggestions like 'Crossfire', 'Crossbow' or 'Crosswits' (what a gameshow that was), he opted for 'Voltage' but I don't think he's yet to change his walk-on music to the more appropriate 'Danger! High Voltage'.

On the oche, he now has three Players Championship titles to his name this season having won his third as recently as Friday night in Dublin, while he enjoyed a quite stunning run at the recent German Darts Grand Prix, where he underlined his star potential by averaging over 100 in every match except the final. He lost that to a rampant MVG, who averaged 111!

He's ranked 38 in the world but qualifies virtue to his 7th place on the one-year ProTour Order of Merit. This goes some way to explaining why his price is much shorter than many bigger names in the sport, despite being in MVG's quarter.

Prediction: I fancy Cross to overcome Steve Beaton and then either Barney or Kyle Anderson but then he walks into MVG. He can give him a good game though and don't be too surprised if he knocks him out!

RONNY HUYBRECHTS

• Nickname: The Rebel
• Date of Birth: 20/07/1965
• Nationality: Belgian
• World Ranking (September 25): 41
• Walk-on music: Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
• Sky Bet odds: 400/1
• Career highlights: European Championship semi-finalist (2013), World Cup runner-up (2013)

Kim's older brother sneaks into his first World Grand Prix thanks to his consistent performances on the Pro Tour while he's enjoyed two notable high points this year.

The first one came when he hit his maiden nine-darter on the circuit during a run to a UK Open qualifying event final in February while the second happened during Belgium's run to the World Cup semi-finals.

He averaged 115.62 in a singles match against Greece which was the highest ever for a Belgian live on TV - but a day later Kim took that record from him by trumping him with a 121.97!

Prediction: He can beat King in the opening round but will suffer a deadly Snakebite in the second.

RICHARD NORTH

• Nickname: Mouth of the South
• Date of Birth: 23/04/1990
• Nationality: English
• World Ranking (September 25): 67
• Walk-on music: Here Comes the Hotstepper, by Ini Kamoze
• Sky Bet odds: 750/1
• Career highlights: Runner-up in Players Championship 18 in August 2017

OK, so North's career highlights are thin on the ground to say the least and he's only contested one major before - the 2011 UK Open, where he exited in the last 64 - but bare in mind he only won his PDC Tour Card back in January so he's done very well just to qualify for Dublin.

He came agonisingly close to winning a maiden Players Championship event in August, when he lost 6-5 in the final to Dave Chisnall having earlier knocked out Steve West, Joe Cullen and Stephen Bunting while he's also beaten James Wade twice this year.

He faces Gary Anderson in the opening round so is obviously expected to make an early exit but the Flying Scotsman is prone to some shock defeats every now and then!

Prediction: I wouldn't advise anyone against a small wager on him causing a first-round shock but I won't be recommending anyone to do it!

Related darts links

• 2017 World Grand Prix draw & schedule
• World Grand Prix betting tips
• World Grand Prix nine-darters
• PDC calendar & results
• Sky Bet's darts odds