World Cup of Darts 2024: Thursday’s match-by-match preview
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It’s time for the PDC’s finest arrowsmiths to pull on their national colours as the 2024 World Cup of Darts kicks off in Frankfurt this evening.
With England, Wales, Scotland and the Netherlands already assured of a spot in the second round, the remaining 36 nations will battle through a group stage in order to try and join them.
With one game from each group scheduled to take place across three sessions on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and Friday evening, it’s a feast of quickfire best-of-seven legs action.
Check out our thoughts on tonight’s 12 matches below.
World Cup of Darts match predictions — Thursday, June 27
Sweden vs Spain
Spain enjoyed success in this tournament’s early years but have struggled in more recent times, while Sweden are a team on the rise.
Jeffrey De Graaf debuts for them after a fantastic start to 2024 and the recent Pro Tour finalist can help steer the Swedes to an impressive success.
Odds Now prediction: Sweden 4-1 Spain (9/2, general)
Czech Republic vs Bahrain
Czech Republic’s prospects here are boosted by the recent return to form of Karel Sedlacek, who teams up with UK Open semi-finalist Adam Gawlas to make a dangerous combination.
Bahrain’s two representatives showed little to nothing in their World Series appearances and this has the look of a comfortable win for the favourites.
Odds Now prediction: Czech Republic 4-0 Bahrain (6/4, Coral)
France vs Latvia
This has all the hallmarks of a very close contest between two solid sides. France’s pairing of Thibault Tricole and Jacques Labre are betting favourites but only by a tiny margin.
However, Latvia star Madars Razma is in splendid form and the treble 19 specialist can inspire his nation to a precious victory here.
Odds Now prediction: France 2-4 Latvia (5/1, general)
Croatia vs Malaysia
Croatia look to be in a straight shootout with Canada for top spot here so can afford no slip-ups against an unfancied Malaysian pairing.
Boris Krcmar and Romeo Grvabac are both solid scorers so should be able to get the job done here without too many issues.
Odds Now prediction: Croatia 4-1 Malaysia (11/5, Betfred)
Republic of Ireland vs Lithuania
Ireland pairing Willie O’Connor and Keane Barry suffered an embarrassing early exit last year and will be keen to make amends against an experienced but mediocre Lithuania.
The underdogs’ star man Darius Labanauskas is not playing at the level he once did and given Barry’s recent good form, this looks like a comfortable Irish success.
Odds Now prediction: Republic of Ireland 4-2 Lithuania (7/2, general)
Poland vs Norway
Poland boast a dangerous duo in Krzysztof Ratajski and Radek Szaganski with both having lifted PDC titles and could appeal as dark horses for some at a whopping 66/1 for glory.
They should progress past a Norway outfit lacking top-level experience with a minimum of fuss.
Odds Now prediction: Poland 4-0 Norway (13/5, general)
USA vs Portugal
On paper, this looks the most intriguing contest of the first session with the classy Jose De Sousa and his sub-par partner David Gomes taking on a well balanced American team of Jules van Dongen and Danny Lauby.
De Sousa has been a class act in this tournament over the years, aside from his counting, and can make this close but the USA should ultimately prevail.
Odds Now prediction: USA 4-3 Portugal (9/2 general)
Belgium vs Singapore
Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri van Den Bergh pair up for Belgium once again despite their rocky personal relationship and their class should see them past Singapore.
The remarkable Paul Lim, now 70, has enjoyed plenty of iconic World Cup moments over the years and he and his compatriot Harith Lim can at least avoid a whitewash here.
Odds Now prediction: Belgium 4-1 Singapore (21/10, Betfred)
Northern Ireland vs South Africa
Northern Ireland could be dark horses to win this year’s edition with Josh Rock making his World Cup debut alongside the in-form veteran Brendan Dolan.
They open against a South African side missing star man Devon Petersen and can lay an early marker down with a 4-0 triumph.
Odds Now prediction: Northern Ireland 4-0 South Africa (15/8, general)
Germany vs New Zealand
Hosts Germany will get the biggest cheer of the evening when they emerge for their opener against New Zealand, with Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens widely tipped to go deep.
Yet the Kiwi pairing of PDC tour card holder Haupai Puha and World Championship regular Ben Robb will be no pushovers and a hard-fought German win looks on the cards.
Odds Now prediction: Germany 4-2 New Zealand (18/5, Betfred)
England head into the tournament as big favourites.
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Australia vs Japan
Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock won this event two years ago and can enjoy another good run here, though they have been handed a testing group alongside Japan and Hong Kong.
Tomoya Goto was excellent on his World Championship debut back in December and it would be no surprise to see Japan make this a close contest.
Odds Now prediction: Australia 4-3 Japan (13/2, Star Sports)
Austria vs China
Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez were runners up here in 2021 but are both not finding their best level consistently enough at the moment.
That said, they should still have enough to come out of this group relatively comfortably — though China can nick a couple of legs.
Odds Now prediction: Austria 4-2 China (18/5, Betfred)
Odds Now’s World Cup of Darts best bets - Thursday, June 27
Czech Republic to beat Bahrain 4-0 - 3pts @ 6/4 (Coral)
Northern Ireland to beat South Africa 4-0 - 2pts @ 15/8 (general)
Thursday treble - Latvia, Sweden and USA all to win - 2pts @ 5.2/1 (Coral/ Ladbrokes)