World Cup of Darts Betting Tips
Best bet – Germany
Each-way pick – Scotland
Long Shot – Canada
The World Cup of Darts returns for another year, but this time it’s bigger and better than ever.
Why so? It’s bigger because for the first time there will be 40 nations participating and better because, well, it’s doubles format all the way through.
The new format puts the four highest-ranked nations – England (1), Wales (2), Netherlands (3) and Scotland (4) – straight into the Last 16, while the other 36 go into 12 groups of three, with the top team in each group qualifying.
Let’s run through a few of the favourites and the best of the rest…
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The seeds
England (1) – Michael Smith and Rob Cross
The English duo are the top seeds (world rankings 1 and 5), with the pair featuring for the third time together. They lost in the second round back in 2019 and to Wales in the final the following year.
Rob Cross has suggested he isn’t the biggest fan of doubles play, so this year’s format change won’t have been well received, while the break in rhythm could well impact Smith too.
In their last appearance together in 2020, the pair averaged 90 and 95 individually, dropping to 88.7 in the doubles. Approach second-favourites England with caution.
Wales (2) – Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton
The Welsh pairing won’t have come as a huge surprise to many. Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton have represented Wales in each of the last five years, winning in 2020 and reaching the Final last time. They’ve also produced the highest average in the team format in each of the last three tournaments, which suggests they’re well-placed to deal with the switch to doubles throughout.
The withdrawal of MvG means that the Welsh are bumped up to #2 seed, though they’re still favourites in the betting for a very good reason. However, their unfavourable seeding could grant them a tough route to the final, making their short price far less attractive.
Netherlands (3) – Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael van Gerwen’s late withdrawal from the competition means that Dirk van Duijvenbode joins Danny Noppert for the second time after the pair reached the semi-finals last year.
Van Duijvenbode sits just outside the Top 10 and with the 8th highest average on the tour this year, making him a more-than-adequate replacement.
Noppert, meanwhile, enjoyed his most successful year last year and has maintained a good level in 2023. Since MvG’s announcement, the Dutch price has only drifted slightly, making them a slightly less appealing proposition to win it.
Scotland (4) – Peter Wright and Gary Anderson
Although they’re the fourth seeds, you’d probably include the Scots in the ‘rest’ category for this one. However, the pair have featured at the World Cup together five times, reaching three finals and winning it in 2019.
Peter Wright remains world number two, despite a fairly poor 2023, largely due to winning the World Championship in 2022. Gary Anderson, however, has enjoyed a real resurgence, with only Gerwyn Price managing a higher average than the Flying Scotsman on the tour this year.
The darting heritage of this Scottish duo will always make them a tempting bet. Their seeding also means they’ll avoid Wales and the Netherlands until the final, which makes them a great option for an Each-Way bet here.
The best of the rest
Germany (6) – Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler
Probably one of the most appealing in the ‘best of the rest’ category are the German pair. They reached the quarter-finals together in 2022, while Gabriel Clemens has had a good year individually reaching the Semi-Finals of the World Championships in January.
With the withdrawal of van Gerwen, their potential meeting with the Netherlands just got slightly easier, opening up their route to the latter stages on Sunday. They’ll also benefit from plenty of support in Frankfurt to help them through.
Australia (7) – Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta
As current holders, Australia also shouldn’t be overlooked. Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta represent Australia for the fourth year in a row (Whitlock is one of only four players to feature in all 12), having beaten Wales in last year’s final.
While Whitlock may no longer be in his heyday, Heta is enjoying a career-high ranking (13) and coming off the back of some great results this week.
Long shots
A few names stick out at slightly longer prices still. Austria and Poland, featuring Mensur Suljovic and Krystoff Rataijski respectively, however they may have slightly trickier group draws.
Poland meet Jose De Sousa’s Portugal while Austria are drawn alongside a potentially dangerous USA.
At a similar price, you’ll find the Canadian pair who might have a slightly easier time of it.
If they get through a relatively straightforward group, they’ll be in what looks like the easier half of the draw, which might make Matt Campbell and Jeff Smith a tempting option amongst the outsiders.
World Cup of Darts Betting Tips
Best bet – Germany
Each-way pick – Scotland
Long Shot – Canada
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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