Michael van Gerwen will probably be aiming to land an unprecedented seventh World Grand Prix draw
Matthew Edgar and Michael Bridge be part of Love The Darts podcast host Emma Paton to debate the important thing questions forward of the World Grand Prix as Michael van Gerwen goals to defend his title.
Van Gerwen will start the defence of his title in opposition to Josh Rock in a mouth-watering first-round tussle, with World Champion Michael Smith, 2020 champion Gerwyn Value and third seed Peter Wright all within the combine.
Can Gary Anderson – a World Grand Prix runner-up in 2016 – flip again the clock? Edgar and Bridge sit down within the studio to debate the important thing questions…
Prepare for the MVG-Value present
Van Gerwen and Value might face one another fairly a bit over the subsequent few months
Edgar is satisfied we’ll see one other Van Gerwen-Gerwyn Value present heading into the tail finish of the season, with the Dutchman his clear favorite to carry one other Grand Prix title.
“We go into subsequent 12 months with Michael van Gerwen as world No 1 and as we go into busy season I see solely Van Gerwen and Value as winners of this event,” he stated.
“I can’t see who will probably be an outsider, who’s going to win what sport, by no means thoughts the event and then you definitely put the double begin in and it’s going to be a very difficult one to select issues aside.”
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Josh Rock shocked MVG with this nine-darter on the Grand Slam of Darts final 12 months
With MVG up in opposition to Josh Rock first, Bridge believes an upset could possibly be on the playing cards.
He stated: “That is in all probability one event the place you may get on the high seeds very early, however Van Gerwen is aware of Rock very properly. It could be an enormous assertion if Rock was to win this match and that is the event the place you see seeds crash out early on. It’s an excellent event and a really open one.
“You would toss a coin at so many of those video games, which is good for darts. It has changed into golf the place you might choose as much as 14 gamers and make a very good case as to why he would win this one.”
Does Michael Smith want a superb run?
Michael Smith doesn’t have the perfect report on the World Grand Prix
“Smith has performed on this occasion 10 occasions and he’s solely received two matches. He’s obtained a horrible report,” stated ‘Prime Time’ Edgar.
“Nevertheless, his opponent Callan Rydz will in all probability simply actually get pleasure from this expertise. He’s enjoying anyone who could be a large scalp and a giant story to beat the world No 1 and world champion, and Smith is somebody who clearly hates this format.”
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Watch how Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pyke reacted to the sensational leg between MVG and Smith within the World Championship Ultimate that culminated in a nine-darter for Bully Boy
Can Danny Noppert check Value in any respect?
Gerwyn Value will probably be favorite to advance previous Dutchman Danny Noppert
“He can however he’s been dropping kind massively over the past couple of years,” stated Edgar. “He’s been dropping about two factors off his common since his peak a few years in the past.
“Noppert has made an upward pattern however it’s additionally very alarming how fast he’s coming again down the opposite aspect. I simply don’t see something apart from a Gerwyn Value win on this one.”
Are there shocks anymore?
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Take pleasure in the perfect moments from the World Grand Prix, from the primary 9 darter, Andy Callaby beating Phil Taylor and MVG’s first TV title win
“I don’t know what it’s. Is it when you begin poorly then the non-seeds odor blood? I’m genuinely not shocked once I see large names exit in such an unforgiving format by way of the primary spherical,” stated Bridge. “However are there shocks within the first spherical? I don’t know.”
“I believe we’ve seen the times of shocks go when Phil Taylor misplaced to Andy Callaby all these years in the past and when Kevin Painter first burst on the scene, he additionally beat Taylor,” Edgar stated. “We’ve seen it with Van Gerwen and Smith lately.
“We have a look at Dave Chisnall, who has made the ultimate on this occasion. He both goes deep or he goes out within the first spherical. It’ll in all probability be the case with loads of seeds.”
The place is Peter Wright at?
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On the newest episode of Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Matthew Edgar give their predictions for the World Grand Prix
“I don’t even know Wright is aware of the place he’s at,” quipped Edgar. “I’ve at all times backed Peter Wright however we’ve seen him change his throw, we’ve seen him change his darts in between matches and pictures as occasions and I simply suppose it’s develop into somewhat too widespread.
“Saying that, that is nonetheless Peter Wright and it wouldn’t shock me if he wins the event. That is the type of event that fits him since you don’t need to depend on rhythm, however saying that his kind just isn’t there.”
What about Gary Anderson’s possibilities?
Gary Anderson ticks all of the containers to trigger a shock or two in Leicester
“He’s enjoying extra darts than ever and he’s obtained the perfect win fee since 2018 when he received the World Matchplay, the UK Open and the World Cup so he generally is a actually severe contender right here,” feels Edgar. “The numbers and the stats actually assist a case for Anderson.
“He has reached the ultimate right here earlier than so the format just isn’t an issue. He ticks all of the containers as a shock package deal.”
We’re again for the double in, double out World Grand Prix Darts on the Morningside Enviornment in Leicester from 2-8 October – reside on Sky Sports activities. Stream all your favourite sports with NOW