Darts Predictions: Paddy’s punting panel reveal their World Darts Championship Ballon d’Art picks

It's not just the Sid Waddell trophy up for grabs at the Ally Pally.

We’re hoping to raise a monster £1m through The Big 180 campaign at the 2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship – but we need the players to be on top form.

That’s because Paddy’s dipping into his pocket to give a whopping £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every single 180 hit at the Ally Pally from December 15th right through to the final.

    And if that wasn’t motivation enough for the best in the business, we’ve also commissioned a huge and hefty Ballon d’Art trophy for the player who hits the most maximums and, thus, raises the most money for charity.

    It really is the least we could do

    We’ve also assembled a prestigious panel to deliver their verdict on who’s bringing home the bacon for charity over Christmas and New Year.

    We’re talking everyone the talkSPORT dream team of Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs to darts journalists and podcasters including Phil Barrs, Matt Kiernan, Jamie Shaw, Josh Green as well as commentator Ian Danter and Raz Mirza from Sky Sports. And Paddy. Always Paddy too. Let’s get into it.

    PHIL BARRS (ONLINE DARTS): The resurgence of Gary Anderson is there and it’s a joy so I’m going to go for Ando to win the Ballon D’Art!

    MATT KIERNAN (WEEKLY DARTS CAST): It’s hard to look past Luke Humphries for the Ballon D’Art, isn’t it?

    Everything he touches turns to gold and I think he’s going to be there in the final on January 3 so I think he’ll break a lot of records.

    PAUL HAWKSBEE (TALKSPORT): King of the 180s, after watching him do a nine darter in the Players’ I’ll got with Michael van Gerwen.

    I think he could win the Ballon D’Art this time.

    ANDY JACOBS (TALKSPORT): I’m going the same as Paul. It’s got to be MvG.

      IAN DANTER (DARTS COMMENTATOR): Someone like Michael Smith can really hit the 180s if he finds his mojo but Michael’s game has been a bit off in recent months.

      Maybe being back in the Ally Pally might encourage him to find form. I’ll go out on a limb and back the Bully Boy to get the most 180s and win that Ballon d’Art.

      RAZ MIRZA (SKY SPORTS DARTS): Most 180s? Michael van Gerwen, he normally gets it.

      Gerwyn Price hits a lot and Luke Humphries is hitting a hell of a lot at the moment so it’s between those three. I’ll go for Van Gerwen.

      JAMIE SHAW (LIVE DARTS): I have to say Luke Humphries will in the Ballon D’Art.

      He’s scoring a phenomenal amount of 180s and won three Major titles in 49 days. I’ve got to go for him.

      PADDY POWER: Luke Humphries might win the Ballon D’Art as he’s in such good form but I think it might be a year too soon for him to get across the line. I think he’ll be scoring for fun.

      JOSH GREEN (TUNGSTEN TALES): It’s hard to look past Luke Humphries for the Ballon D’Art. He’s set the bar over the last few tournaments and you’d definitely back him to make the last four.

      He’s a huge 180 hitter and also probably in with a chance of winning the whole thing as well.

      Ballon d’Art tips

      VOTES

      Luke Humphries: 4
      Michael van Gerwen: 3
      Michael Smith: 1
      Gary Anderson: 1

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