It hardly feels like a year since Michael Smith held off Michael Van Gerwen and claimed his maiden world title, but after PDC World Darts Championship another exciting season, the 2024 edition is nearly upon us.
The usual suspects will be in play, but there may just be one or two players who could cause a shock.
No player has dominated the 2023 season:
Van Gerwen is the current favourite, with darts betting odds of +400 to win his fourth world title, but there are a few players who aren’t far behind him.
Gerwyn Price is +500 to claim a second world crown with regards to a PDC World Darts bet. Meanwhile defending champion Smith is out at +700 and his recent form indicates that he could struggle to win at the Alexandra Palace this year.
He is without a victory since June and failed to secure progress from the round robin stage at the Grand Slam for the first time in a decade. With the weight off his shoulders after his triumph at the 2023 edition, the 33-year-old will need to improve.
Van Gerwyn has enjoyed a decent season for the seventh time while winning Jack’s World Series of Darts in September. Yet his confidence was knocked by suffering a surprising defeat to Andrew Gilding in the UK Open final.
While it is hard to argue against the trio’s championship pedigree, there may well be a new name on the trophy in 2024.
A surprise name could win the 2024 World Darts Championship:
In January, Chris Dobey broke through to the elite by securing victory in the Masters, defeating Rob Cross in the final. His Grand Slam campaign ended at the last 16 stage, but he could pose a threat if he brings his early season form to London.
Nathan Aspinall is someone who looks destined to hold aloft the Sid Waddell trophy one day. The 32-year-old won the UK Open in 2019 as well as runner up finishes in the Premier League, World Grand Prix, and the Grand slam between 2020 and 2022.
He finally claimed another major crown at the World Matchplay this summer. Having reached the semi finals during his first two visits to Alexandra Palace, Aspinall is a match for anyone on his day.
One of the most improved players on the circuit over the previous 12 months is Luke Humphries. The 28-year-old finally broke through in a major event at the World Grand Prix in October, claiming a stunning victory with a 5-2 triumph over Price in the final.
With three quarter final appearances in just six starts at the biggest event in the sport, the Englishman’s record is solid if unspectacular. Though, there is a feeling he could break new ground in 2024.
This could be the most open World Championships yet as a handful of players have a genuine chance of claiming the trophy and the staggering £500k prize.
