Monday’s World Darts Championship tips: Luke Littler eyes more history, MVG to continue insane run

We are over two weeks into the tournament and it’s fair to say that the annual Alexandra Palace extravaganza has certainly delivered.

We’ve already seen mouthwatering matches, tremendous tungsten drama and the emergence of a new darting superstar. Thankfully, there’s more to come over the next three days.

Of the eight remaining players, six are representing England, two are former world champions and one is still a teenager.

Here is the full match schedule ahead of Monday’s big day at the Ally Pally. Below are the all-important tips, predictions and match selections.

Monday’s match schedule

Afternoon session
Chris Dobey vs Rob Cross
Luke Littler vs Brendan Dolan

Evening session
Michael van Gerwen vs Scott Williams
Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall

 

Looking at the outright market, there is one quarter-finalist who has been somewhat overlooked.

Chris Dobey is currently fourth-favourite for the title, with bookmakers pricing Hollywood at around the 15/2 mark.

The 33-year-old boasts the highest tournament average and has overcome arguably the hardest path to the quarter-final stage.

Dobey whitewashed defending champion Michael Smith in his last outing, with both men averaging 102. In the third round, Hollywood was forced to overcome a 103 average from Ross Smith in a 4-2 win.

Even the second-round victory over Irishman William O’Connor was far from rudimental as Dobey produced another ton-average to seal a 3-2 success.

Rob Cross will pose another stern challenge as the former world champion eyes another shot at glory.

Voltage has only dropped two sets in the tournament and heads into the last-eight stage having demolished Jonny Clayton 4-0.

This promises to be an absolute thriller which could bring the best out of both men. With that in mind, we’re backing over 7.5 match sets.

The next match sees teenage sensation Luke Littler come up against crafty veteran Brendan Dolan.

One factor determines the outcome of this one – Littler’s form. If the 16-year-old can replicate his performance against Raymond van Barneveld where he averaged 105, Dolan will be out of his depth.

We know what to expect from the Northern Irishman. Dolan will average around the 95 mark and he will make the most of any opportunity at a checkout. Question is, will Littler give him many opportunities at double?

Our prediction is no. We’re backing the Englishman to win the match, hit the most 180s and come up with the highest checkout.

The evening session will kick off with three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen as he takes on Scott Williams.

Getting to this stage of the tournament is a massive achievement for Williams who is ranked outside of the top 50 in the world.

Williams loves a big checkout having hit ton-plus finishes in all four of his victories at the Ally Pally. His last win came over Damon Heta, with the 33-year-old bagging a 170 checkout in the process.

His victories over Heta, Martin Schindler and Danny Noppert were all impressive – though MVG is a completely different challenge.

The Dutchman is a man on a mission and is yet to lose a single set. Nobody has ever won the tournament without losing a set, though Van Gerwen is unquestionably capable of pulling off the seemingly impossible.

Phil Taylor came closest to that feat, dropping just two sets on his way to the title in 1998.

We’re backing Van Gerwen to remain on course for history and pick up a 5-0 win over Williams at around the 5/2 mark.

The final match of the night sees Luke Humphries and Dave Chisnall lock horns.

Humphries was the pre-tournament favourite, though he has dropped in the outrights following back-to-back seven-set thrillers.

Cool Hand narrowly avoided elimination against Joe Cullen and he now faces another stiff test against a high-flying Chisnall.

Chizzy has steadily improved throughout the tournament and it’s fair to say he has gone under the radar.

This promises to be a gritty affair and we’re backing under 22 maximums at around the 5/6 mark.

Suggested bets

Dobey vs Cross: Over 7.5 sets (8/11)
Littler vs Dolan: Littler to win, most 180s and highest checkout (4/6)
Van Gerwen vs Williams: Van Gerwen to win 5-0 (5/2)
Humphries vs Chisnall: Under 22 maximums (5/6)

(Odds correct at the time of writing)