Christmas is Done And Now We Are Into The Really Good Stuff
Ninety-six (yes 96) players have been cut down to just 32 in the chase for the Sid Waddell Trophy, and we have already lost almost a third of the seeded players. Some have been surprising (such as defeats for World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall and world number seven Danny Noppert), whilst others have been a tad more predictable. In fact if you had read my first couple of pieces you would see we predicted the demise of not just two-time winner Peter Wright but also world number 12 Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Tasty Ties
Despite the large number of seeded casualties, there are still a number of high profile clashes which have the potential to be barnstormers – two of which stand out in particular. Ross Smith versus Chris Dobey sees, in theory, the two closest-matched players go head to head: the world number 16 against the world number 17. Smith picked up his maiden major title towards the back end of last year at the European Championship; Dobey grabbed his just three months later at The Masters to kick off this year’s major action.
Both have performed consistently brilliantly this year, and yet do not have as much to show for it as their play perhaps merits. They came through their opening tests admirably, with Smith firing in seven 180s and a 170 checkout in his 3-1 win over Niels Zonneveld, while Dobey hit a stunning 10 maximums and a big ton-plus average in overcoming the belligerent Willie O’Connor. There is nothing to pick between them, but I believe whoever prevails has a real chance of winning through to the quarter-finals, even though it is likely to be the defending champion and world number one Michael Smith who will await in the last 16. Ross Smith has been stopped at this stage for the last two years running by the same man – Dirk van Duijvenbode, and in both cases it was in a seventh and deciding set.
Last year’s defeat came despite a record-breaking display of 180-hitting, with 31 in total and a mind-melting 19 coming from Smith alone. The line for 180s will be high in this contest (the capabilities of these two are evident), but I think it will last at least six sets, and they will hit billions of maximums in the process. Sit back, enjoy the fireworks, and expect them to be over on the 180 count (over 16.5 in this instance).
Can ‘The Rockstar’ Electrify At ‘Ally Pally’?
The other game that really stands out in round three is the clash between Joe Cullen and Ryan Searle – both ranked in the world’s top 20. Searle has been much more reliable on the big televised stages this year, but Cullen also made the semis of both the Matchplay and Grand Prix. Both will want to improve upon their opening displays, but neither looked in any danger, and I am anticipating a similarly hard-fought battle that could go the distance.
Once again, it is too difficult to predict a winner, but I would expect them to score so heavily over so many legs that the total 180s will exceed the target of 13.5. If you held a gun to my head to demand I pick a winner from those two games, I would pick Smith and Searle, so I have offered that tentative prediction up for free so we need not resort to any firearms-based unpleasantness.
As for the “Big Guns”, I do not really anticipate many problems for them in this round – defending champion Michael Smith, three-time winner Michael van Gerwen, 2021 champ Gerwyn Price and pre-tournament favourite Luke Humphries should all progress.
Cool Hand Luke Still The Man To Beat
Humphries is in the most interesting situation, as he is the only one to have a question mark over his opening performance, and he faces the hugely talented debutant Ricardo Pietreczko. However, while some have been scared-off Humphries by his underwhelming display against Lee Evans, he is still more likely than anyone right now to produce a winning performance. “Cool Hand” is yet to hit a 100+ average on the Ally Pally stage, despite three previous runs to quarter-finals, and while Pietreczko can certainly cause him problems, I think the world number three will underline his title credentials by reminding everyone why he has won three of the last four major titles.
Humphries to win -2.5 sets takes his odds to a much more attractive 1.75 (from 1.14 for the victory), and I think he will get the job done convincingly. Finally, despite the sad demise of “The Bronzed Adonis” Steve Beaton to Daryl Gurney, there remains romance in the draw.
One Last Roar For Barney?
The iconic Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld played particularly well in seeing-off the challenge of Poland’s Radek Szaganski, and there will be plenty of the “Barney Army” hoping that he can continue a run into the latter stages.
I am here to crush such romantic notions beneath the mighty iron heel of Jim Williams though. The odds have van Barneveld dead level with the Welshman, whom I predicted as a great long shot to win his quarter, and I think Williams will continue to plough through to the last 16 with his unflashy but lethally efficient brand of darts.
PDC World Darts Championship 2024 – Round 3 Selections
– Over 16.5 Total 180s in Ross Smith v Chris Dobey (at 1.80)
– Over 13.5 Total 180s in Joe Cullen v Ryan Searle (at 1.68)
Luke Humphries -2.5 sets v Ricardo Pietreczko (at 1.75)
– Jim Williams to beat Raymond van Barneveld (at 1.82)
Prices are correct at the time of publication, but can fluctuate. Please note that the information provided in this article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
Supercharge your bets with kwiff.
By Dan Dawson
Related Articles
– PDC World Darts Championship Final Preview
– PDC World Darts Championship Semi Finals Preview
– PDC World Darts Championship Quarter Finals Preview
– PDC World Darts Championship Round 4 Preview
