World Grand Prix 2024: Tuesday predictions and best bets

Our darts tipster Matt Hill (@Matt_Hill93) made an electric start to his World Grand Prix campaign on Monday, tipping up three winners from four selections at 13/8, 7/4 and 15/8.

Here, he tries to keep the good times rolling with insight and predictions for Tuesday’s eight remaining Round One contests.

World Grand Prix first round predictions — October 8, 2024

Dave Chisnall vs Cameron Menzies

A cracking game to start night two here as two of 2024’s standout stars do battle.

On a personal note, I’m particularly delighted to see Menzies’ exploits rewarded with Grand Prix qualification. He’s been in the top 10 averages on the tour all year and is talented enough to do damage in this kind of sphere.

However, I’m still not sure the Scot fully knows how good he is and that lack of self-belief on the big stages could see him come undone against the more experienced and equally in-form Chisnall.

Chizzy has won two Euro Tour titles and a further two floor titles this term and is a two-time finalist here, which is enough to make me lean his way here.

Prediction: Chisnall 2-0 Menzies

Luke Woodhouse vs Dimitri Van den Bergh

One of the less glamorous ties of Round One but nevertheless, a good opportunity for Woodhouse to get another win on the Grand Prix stage having dumped Chizzy out last year on debut.

Van den Bergh has won just three matches in five cracks at this tournament and the Belgian arrives out of form, particularly on the outer ring where he is a paltry 34% checkout rate in the last three months.

He is the vastly more experienced of the pair when it comes to big stage clashes though, even if Woodhouse is steadily improving in that regard

I find this one tough to call but I’m actually leaning towards Woodhouse, particularly at the prices. Not a strong pick, though.

Prediction: Woodhouse 2-1 Van den Bergh

Mike De Decker vs Damon Heta

I’m looking forward to this one. Mike De Decker and Damon Heta are two of the Pro Tour circuit’s most dangerous operators, who have both struggled to scale the same heights on TV.

It does feel, though, like both of these lads are in that group who can reach major finals if the stars align for them. Heta probably further along in that development journey, admittedly.

Both players have won Players Championship events in the last two months and both can hit 180s for fun, so this could be a blockbuster in theory.

The crucial advantage looks to be with the Aussie however, who is a more reliable doubler — the most reliable in the PDC this year, in fact.

Prediction: De Decker 1-2 Heta

Peter Wright vs James Wade

Two of the sport’s true enigmas meet here as the marvellously unpredictable Wright takes on the evergreen and granite force that is Wade.

Until two months ago, Wright looked gone at the game but the veteran has produced yet another resurgence — the crowning moment of which was an emotional Euro Tour triumph in Hildesheim last month.

Wade, though, is a man who has impressed me immensely in recent weeks. His legendary finishing always makes him dangerous but when the scoring clicks, as it appears to be at the moment, it’s a devastating combination.

I’ve had a few quid on Wade in the outright at a massive price so am hopeful he can negotiate this tricky opener, though it will be tight.

Prediction: Wright 1-2 Wade

Gerwyn Price vs Danny Noppert

Price’s major drought is now approaching three years remarkably and that alone is enough to put me off 12/1 quotes for him in this tournament, even if his Grand Prix record is remarkable.

In the last four years, the Ice Man has had two semi-final runs, been runner-up once and took the title in 2020. Clearly, his love for D20 plays to his advantage here, along with a less rowdy crowd.

Noppert is no mug and had made the second round or better in four straight years in this tournament up until 2023, where he was beaten in his opener by Price.

But I expect it will be the same again here and wouldn’t be all that surprised if the favourite does it in straight sets.

Prediction: Price 2-0 Noppert

Michael Smith vs Gary Anderson

There are plenty of contenders for the “tie of the round” tag but this one may just take it, with two multiple major winners meeting in what will surely be a high-quality affair.

Smith made the semi-finals here last year before exiting to Price, which was an anomaly on a record which has seen him exit at the first hurdle in seven of the last 10 renewals.

This is also a title that has evaded the rejuvenated Anderson, though his record is notably better in the format — four quarter-final runs, two to the semis and one runner-up effort in 2016.

On form, you’d fancy Anderson and I actually think facing someone like Smith will help the Flying Scotsman raise his game. 2-1 Ando must have a fair chance at 5/2.

Prediction: Smith 1-2 Anderson

Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney

MVG is the master of the World Grand Prix (Phil Taylor aside), having conquered this unique event on no less than six occasions.

What is more, the Dutchman’s doubling has been up above 45% for the last couple of months which can only bode well in Leicester.

I don’t see Gurney, who is enjoying a decent run of form but remains without a PDC title since 2019, threatening him — even if this was the scene of Superchin’s maiden major success.

I expect Van Gerwen to prove too strong and set up a mouth-watering rematch with the man who knocked him out last year…

Prediction: Van Gerwen 2-0 Gurney

Chris Dobey vs Joe Cullen

The man I reference was, of course, Dobey, who looks to be the most solid bet of the night against a horribly out-of-sorts Cullen.

Readers of my outright preview know I have backed the Geordie for the title here because I think he ticks so many boxes — form, comfort with the format, pedigree, career trajectory. I could go on.

Meanwhile, Cullen is having a dreadful time of things in the last few months and is barely breaking 90 with his Pro Tour averages, which is a big worry in the long run for the Rockstar.

Unless there’s a sudden and extreme return to form from him tonight, expect Dobey to send him packing in straight sets at a generous 5/4.

Prediction: Dobey 2-0 Cullen

Matt Hill's best bets for day one of the 2024 World Grand Prix

Price to beat Noppert 2-0 - 2/1 (Quinn Bet)
Van Gerwen to beat Gurney 2-0 - 5/4 (BoyleSports)
Dobey to beat Cullen 2-0 - 11/8 (General)
2-0 correct score treble -14.7/1 (Quinn Bet/ Bet Goodwin)