Words by Dave South aka
The 2023 PDC World Championships resumed on 27th December, with the firs𒀰t six matches producing some impressive st🦹ats.
Josh Rock continued his quest in a seven-set thriller, Ge♕rwyn Price sailed pa♑st Raymond van Barneveld, and Jim Williams missed match darts over Gabriel Clemens, only to fall just short.
Finally, Peter Wright was ‘stunned’ by Kim Huybrechts 4-1. Wright’s display was lacklustre, but for good reason.
Stats in summary:
Legs played: 1,164
Maximums scored: 504
Ave. 180s per leg: 0.4329
Number of 170 finishes: 1
Number of 9 dart finishes: 0
Number of 100+ finishes: 115
Outright Contender: Michael Van Gerwen
Into 9/4 best price fro𝐆m 13/5, Mighty Mike is the man to beat according to fellow rival Gerwyn Price and has been publicly backed by Sky Sports pundits Wayne Mar🔯dle and Mark Webster.
MVG has the impetus with the longer format to progress after dispatch🃏ing Lewy Williams 3-0 in a good 101.84 average and 50 percent checkout success in round two.
Mighty Mike is there for the mara𓃲thon, not the sprint, and do not let you be put off the 4/5 on offer to reach the semi finals, or 6/4 with Hills to make the final on January 3rd.
Dark Horse Contender: Josh Rock To Win Quarter Three
Josh Rock wasted little time in settling into the World Championship, confidently defeating Jose Justicia 3-1 in round one and Callan Rydz with relative ease 3-0 in rꦓound two.
One of the recommendations to shorten most in this feature, Rock, a formidable force, was resilient aga𒁃inst the much-fancied Nathan Aspinall, taking the game the full seven sets in a show-stealing 29 legs producing an emphatic 25 ma♛ximums between the pair.
Early prices suggest Rock is a slight favourite against Clayton when they toe the oche on Thursday ༒evening.
To Win Quarter One: Gerwyn Price
Price’s first encounter was an edgy one, losing the first set to Luke Woodhouse. Price was taken the distance in the second set, before coming through it 3-1.
He entered the last 32 rejuvenated sailing past Barneveld 4-0, with Barney’s best chance falling in the third set.
Price wil💜l feel more confident now as this bet does as it edges first ste💎p further to supremacy, seen as odds in with many major firms.
A 9-Dart Finish: No
This 🌠price was 11/8 but has been trimmed down, after 1,164 legs. There have been a few very close attempts but no cigar.
Bookmakers are still holding ou🦄t for a nine-dart finish. The calibre of players left in the event mean𓆏s it would not be a surprise, but it remains to be seen!
All odds are subject to change
