PDC Darts Betting Tips
As we reach the quarter-final stage of the PDC World Darts Championship, several interesting storylines are taking shape.
Luke Littler remains the man to beat, but in a slightly unexpected twist, he faced a hostile crowd in the previous round and did not seem comfortable with it, despite insisting afterwards that he was not bothered.
The opposite applies to Justin Hood, the surprise quarter-finalist who has become a crowd favourite after arriving with little profile. He now meets another popular figure in Gary Anderson in the last eight.
Ryan Searle is another notable storyline. The talent has always been there, but he is now delivering on a major stage and has a genuine chance of reaching a world semi-final.
The standout tie, though, is Luke Humphries versus Gian van Veen, the second and third favourites respectively, both coming off ruthless wins.
Tipster Ben Smith has previewed all four quarter-finals, with all odds available at
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GambleAware.org.Luke Littler vs Krzysztof Ratajski - 170 Checkout in the Match (17/4)
Littler has been excellent over the last two rounds, posting averages of 106 and 107, but one thing we have not yet seen is the sort of huge checkouts he is often known for.
His highest finish so far is 145, while his quarter-final opponent Krzysztof Ratajski landed a 170 in his win over Alexis Toylo. In a match where Littler is expected to control large periods, the Pole may need to take chances like that to keep himself competitive.
Littler also looked clearly unhappy with the crowd during his last 16 match against Rob Cross, where the support was heavily in favour of Voltage. If the atmosphere is similar on New Year’s Day, that may only spur him on further, as he looks to remind everyone why he sits above the rest of the field.
He regularly chooses to hit a big single number to leave a 170 rather than attack a treble, and over a best of nine sets, that approach could appear often. With his remarkable form and as fired up as he is, bigger finishes feel likely to arrive.
Ryan Searle vs Jonny Clayton - Result After 4 Sets: Draw (17/10)
The second quarter looked wide open as soon as the draw was made and, despite several upsets along the way, the quarter-final still includes one of the pre-tournament favourites for the section in Jonny Clayton.
However, Clayton is not the favourite to reach the semi-finals. Searle has produced a very high level throughout the event. Early prices suggested a near 50/50 contest, but support has steadily moved in the direction of Heavy Metal.
On the numbers, Searle has been ahead of Clayton at Alexandra Palace. His tournament average is close to three points higher, and he has recorded ton plus-averages in each of his last two matches, while Clayton has yet to post a 99.
Searle has looked comfortable so far, but the quarter-final stage brings a clear step up in pressure and prize money. Clayton is chasing a first World Championship semi-final and a return to the Premier League, so we can expect tense moments on both sides.
With momentum likely to swing early, a tight opening feels possible, and the 2-2 score after four sets appeals.
Gary Anderson vs Justin Hood - Anderson Over 10.5 180s (22/25)
Much of the pre-tournament discussion focused on whether Danny Noppert or Josh Rock would come through the bottom half of quarter four and push their Premier League Darts hopes forward.
What few expected was Hood to step in, average over 100 against both, and book a quarter-final place alongside Anderson.
Between those two standout displays was a far more modest showing from Hood against Ryan Meikle, and in reality, it is anyone’s guess how he will perform in the biggest match of his life on New Year’s Day.
I would rather remove that uncertainty and focus on Anderson’s 180s. He has hit 11, 14, and 9 in his last three matches, so over 10.5 looks fair in the longest format match so far.
Luke Humphries vs Gian van Veen - Over 9.5 180s each (10/13)
This is the quarter-final many were hoping for when the draw was made, and it has become even more compelling after Van Veen produced a series of high-level displays on his way to the last eight.
The Dutchman, who lifted his first major title in October, looks like a world champion in waiting. Humphries is the rightful favourite, but anything other than a tight contest would be a big surprise given the level both players are showing.
A match that goes deep should naturally create plenty of opportunities for maximums. With both players capable of sustained barrages on the treble 20, backing each to reach double figures for 180s looks the most sensible angle here.
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