World Grand Prix (darts) 2018 Odds
World Grand Prix 2018
The World Grand Prix is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. This is widely regarded as the home of the best darts players on the planet and with a prize fund of £400,000, all the top players will be present.
The 2018 World Grand Prix will take place between 30th September and 6th October at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. The original venue for the tournament was in Kent but in 2000 it switched to Ireland and remains a great draw for Irish darts fans.
Interestingly, the players must start and finish each leg with a double, making the World Grand Prix a unique televised darts competition.
Phil Taylor dominated the World Grand Prix when he was an active player, winning the event 11 times, which is 8 more than the man in second place, Michael van Gerwen. However, the Dutchman is now the regarded as the best player in the world and will enter the 2018 World Grand Prix as the favourite.
As one would expect, Van Gerwen has been very busy this year, winning several tournaments. Mighty Mike has won the Masters, European Darts Open, German Darts Grand Prix, the Premier League, European Matchplay and most recently the German Darts Championship.
When on form, other players have little chance and Van Gerwen is the favourite to win the World Grand Prix 2018.
There are two other players in the 2018 World Grand Prix who also capable of producing darts at a level which leaves their opponent in their wake.
The first is Rob Cross but the current World Championship title holder has not had things all his own way this year. The tournament victory in Brisbane was a big boost as Cross had reached three finals prior to that and loss them all. The Englishman, as seen when he dismantled Taylor in the World Championship, can be devastating when on form but has yet to reach the final of a big tournament this year.
The question is, will we see the Rob Cross from the World Championship or the man who has been just below that standard since?
Gary Anderson will be hoping Cross is not on top form as the aims to win the World Grand Prix for the first time in his career. The Scot reached the final in 2016 only to be defeated 5-2 by Michael van Gerwen.
Anderson, currently fourth in the PDC Order of Merit, won the UK Open earlier this year, which was a big win as he defeated Rob Cross in the quarter-final. In addition, Anderson won the 2018 World Matchplay, which was another huge victory and the first World Matchplay win of his career.
Its no wonder the bookmakers are struggling to split Anderson and Cross as the second favourites for the 2018 World Grand Prix.
Sitting second in the PDC Order of Merit at the time of writing is Peter Wright. Famed for his flashy haircut and clothes, Wright has been changing his darts regularly and has threatened to win many big tournaments. In 2017 Wright was runner-up in the World Matchplay, Grand Slam of Darts and the Premier League plus won the UK Open.
Wright must be considered with the three players highlighted above as one of the favourites to win the 2018 World Grand Prix.