2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Preview

James Punt has already posted an outright betting preview for the Grand Slam, you can read that by clicking here. His 2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday group match previews and tips are below.

Stephen Bunting vs. Wessel Nijman

At the time of writing, I still do not know if Bunting’s partner is still waiting to give birth. I assume he will turn up to play regardless, but I am sure his head would be in a better place, if everything was done and dusted.

He missed PC30 to return home early, but he had been in great form, winning seven of his last ten matches. He was runner up to Menzies in PC29, his sixth Pro Tour runners up spot in 2024, and four times in the last six Players Championship events. He must be craving a cigar.

Nijman has also won seven of his last ten matches. He was a semi-finalist in PC27 and a quarter finalist in PC30. Nijman beat Bunting 6-5 in the quarter final of PC27, three weeks ago.

Their H2H record is 2-0 to Nijman. The Dutchman beat Bunting 8-5 in the final of PC24 at the start of October, and then that 6-5 win two weeks later. That is pretty fresh form.

There is very little between them game wise. Both are well above average in terms of scoring and they are well matched. I will go for Nijman to edge another close one.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 1 point Wessel Nijman to win @ 2.10 with Boylesports, Hills, Betvictor

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 1 point over 7.5 legs @ 1.80 with Betfair

Josh Rock vs. Gian van Veen

Rock won the final Players Championship event of 2024 last week. He beat Jonny Clayton 8-7 in the final, and also my 201.00 four for fun pick, Willy O’Connor, in the semi-final. This is my problem with Rock. When I back him, he comes up short, when I don’t, he hurts me.

Rock has won nine of his last ten matches and while he hasn’t quite been bulletproof, he is in good form, and winning a title just before three Majors is good timing.

Gian van Veen has lost six of his last ten matches, but he is playing quite well and has reached the final of the World Youth Championship. He has been a bit unlucky with opponents playing their A-Games against him. He is due a break at some point.

Their H2H record is 5-1 to Gian van Veen and he has won all three of their matches at senior level.

Rock is the 1.73 favourite, Van Veen 2.30. Given their H2H record, I can’t back Rock, but because Van Veen is on a bit of a losing run, I can’t back him either. There will be better opportunities. No bet.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Dave Chisnall vs. Conor Scutt

Chizzy has lost seven of his last ten matches. His scoring has been right off, bettering his seasonal average just once in his last nine. Of course, with another TV Major title up for grabs, Chisnall will be aware that he has never won one, but Ritchie Edhouse has. Will his turn ever come? Chisnall has gone out at the group stage for the last two years, winning just two matches. Four of the six went to a deciding leg.

Scutt is the Challenge Tour OOM winner for 2024. He has won eight of his last ten matches, but all Challenge tour matches. He has only won four of his last ten matches at Pro Tour level, and there is the rub. He is the best Challenge tour player but struggles more at senior level. Bunting, Noppert, Humphries and Gilding have all got recent wins against him.

Out of Sorts Chizzy

Can an out of sorts Chisnall be another big name to beat Scutt? If he has regained his form, yes, but if he hasn’t, no. If they both play near their best, we will get a corker.

These two have met twice and Chisnall has won both and won both 6-1. Both matches saw great scoring, from both, but Scutt was poor on the doubles. Clearly Scutt has underperformed against Chisnall, and against other big names. Does he get nervous, trying too hard?

This time, Scutt may get a lower scoring Chisnall, based on recent performances. That may give him a few more chances to hit the doubles.

Chisnall is the 1.67 favourite, Scutt 2.38. I am prepared to take on Chisnall, given that he has not been at his best recently. However, I wanted to see better odds. Scutt is not the finished article at this level. No bet.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Danny Noppert vs. Beau Greaves

A tough opening match for Beau. Noppert is a very consistent player, until the latter stages. He wins a lot of matches and he has won his group here for the last two years. Noppert has won eight of his last ten matches.

Beau Greaves has won twelve of her last thirteen matches, all in the Women’s Series. Playing Noppert is a whole different ball game.

In last year’s first group stage Greaves took Aspinall to a deciding leg, despite being outscored 88 to 97. I fear she needs her A-Game to get a result here, which of course may happen, but Mr. Consistency, Danny Noppert is usually a robust player who is hard to beat.

Noppert is the 1.53 favourite and Greaves 2.95. I can’t argue with those odds. No bet.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Martin Schindler vs. Cameron Menzies

Schindler has failed to get out of the group stage in his four previous Grand Slams. His recent form has seen a drop in his scoring, but is that a loss of form, or just that he was playing some poor opponents? Hard to say, but he has lost four of his last ten. He was beating some weak opponents and losing to the better ones. And he is up against a better one here.

Menzies has won twelve of his last thirteen matches and he won PC29 a couple of weeks ago, before coming through the Tour Card holder qualifier. His seasonal win rate in now a very impressive 71% and his seasonal average in 96.38. All top flight stuff.

Their H2H record is 2-1 to Menzies, and he won their only 2024 match 6-4 back in March. Menzies is the 1.85 favourite and that is better than I expected.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 1 point Cameron Menzies to win @ 1.85 with Ladbrokes

Rob Cross vs. Leonard Gates

Cross has had a few ordinary performances recently, losing five of his last ten matches. He hasn’t had a collapse in form, but he’s just losing too many matches. Over his last fifty matches his win rate is 60%, but he has lost nine of his last twenty. He has always got through to the knockout stages here, but only topped his group once in seven appearances.

Leonard Gates has a seasonal win rate of 81%, but he does play at a lower level, on the CDC tour in North America, on the Modus Super Series and some PDC stuff like this and the UK Open. He has a ton plus A-Game and has been very successful on the WSDT, winning three senior Major titles. Gates played here in 2022 but he lost all three matches, winning just five legs.

These two have met once before, in a World Series match in 2019, and Cross won that 6-0.

Cross is the 1.33 favourite, Gates 3.50. That is a fair reflection, but Cross is not a shoo in. If he has one of his sub 90 averages, and Gates finds his A-Game, then we could have a shock. It is a very short format match, which does give the outsider a puncher’s chance. It makes no appeal to me. No bet.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Peter Wright vs. Martin Lukeman

I am aboard the Lukeman train, and we have another tempter here. Since Lukeman’s practice partner, Ritchie Edhouse, won the European Championships, Smash has played seven and won five. His averages have been 97, 97, 92, 103, 104, 104 and 107. He had been showing some better form before that, but no great consistency, so that little run of great darts has got me interested.

Peter Wright, on the other hand, has taken a step back recently. He was in a real crisis of form for most of this year and last. His seasonal win rate in 2021 was 71%, in 2022, 63%, 2023 53% and in 2024 50%. His decline has been long term and while he can still win a tournament out of the blue, he is struggling for form. He has lost seven of his last ten matches but is playing a bit better than that sounds.

They have never played each other, which is strange, but the odds look wrong to me. On Thursday, Wright was the 1.80 favourite, and Lukeman 2.10. Not surprisingly Lukeman is being backed and I suspect will go off odds on. He is 2.00 on Friday.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 2 points Martin Lukeman to win @ 2.00 generally available

Ross Smith vs. Ritchie Edhouse

The former vs the current European Champion. Ross Smith hasn’t made a lot of progress since winning the 2022 European Championship, in fact he has dropped out of the top 20. Smith has won six of his last ten matches and he is playing OK. He has only won one of his last five TV matches, but again, he played OK.

It is harder to say what we can expect from the new European Champion. To win a Major, as your first PDC title after nearly eight years on the Pro Tour, will take a bit of comprehending.

Madhouse had shown some excellent form on the Euro Tour and he was able to recapture that two weeks ago. He was a bit ordinary in the following two Players Championship events. Mental letdown is a thing after a life changing win and he could just dry up. Edhouse does have a 5-1 H2H record with Smudger, with Smith winning their only match in 2024 6-5. Smith is the 1.73 favourite, Edhouse 2.30.

We have backed Madhouse to win the group at a good price and that is enough interest for me. No bet.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No bet

Saturday Evening Matches

James Wade vs. Mickey Mansell

Both players came through the Tour Card holders qualifier. Mansell is making his debut, but Wade, his seventeenth Grand Slam appearance. Wade’s last three Slams have seen him finish RU/SF/SF. He did not qualify in 2022, so is not defending any prize money.

Wade is in great form, winning eight of his last ten matches. Mansell is the ultimate journeyman pro. He is in his fourteenth season as Tour Card holder but has only ever won a single Players Championship title.

His recent form sees him winning six of his last ten matches and he had an interesting qualifier. He averaged 110 when beating Matt Campbell 5-0, then averaged 100 to beat Barney. That was followed by two 94s to beat Van Dongen and finally he ended the hopes of Gerwyn Price getting into his favourite event.

H2H Record

It is always important to check the H2H records when a slow, deliberate player like Mansell is playing in. Much like Suljovic or Gilding, some players do not cope well with it. Wade has done well enough and is 7-3 vs. Mansell. Wade is not a fast player himself, so it should be less of an issue.

They have only played twice in a Major and that was the UK Open back in 2011 and 2014. Wade won those 9-2 and 9-1 respectively. Very old form, but has either player changed that much?

Wade is the 1.44 favourite and Mansell 3.20. The odds look about right. I wouldn’t be taking short odds on Wade, just in case Mansell finds the same kind of form he showed in the qualifiers.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Gary Anderson vs. Ryan Joyce

Anderson has won six of his last ten matches and is playing well, but of those last ten, there were a few flat performances. He has also played well but lost to Ritchie Edhouse in the European Championships. His TV form has not been great in 2024, losing four from seven matches.

At least Ryan Joyce has not had to fly to get to this venue. He sort of gave up on his European Championship chances by not travelling to events he qualified for. He came through the qualifier to get here and while he had a relatively easy draw, he did hit 101 to beat Damon Heta 5-1.

Keep Onside

When Joyce is playing well, he is a player to keep on your side. He is completely underrated by the oddsmakers. His last TV Major was at the Grand Prix, and he reached the semi-final. He beat Rock, Aspinall and Cross, before going down to Luke Humphries. That was the double in format, and it suited one of the best double hitters in the game. His recent form sees seven wins from his last ten, but I would say he has come off the boil a little.

Their H2H record is 2-2. Anderson is the better player in all but one respect, and that is doubling. In a first to five leg match, he probably can’t afford to get sticky on the doubles. Half of his last five matches have seen check out rates of 30% or less, and that is the danger zone. He lost four of those five matches.

Anderson is the 1.48 favourite, Joyce 2.85. There is no value in Anderson’s odds, but not a great deal in Joyce’s either. Over 7.5 legs is 1.80 which might be an option, but I am happy to skip this.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No bet

Dimitri van den Bergh vs. Lourence Ilagan

This is another annoying match up. Van Den Bergh is playing poorly, losing six of his last ten matches, and if you ignore the double in Grand Prix matches, he has lost seven and only hit one 90+ average. That is really poor.

But on TV? He reached the semi-final of the Grand Prix amidst that run of direness. He was a quarter finalist at the Matchplay and won the UK Open. He did lose in the first round of the World Series finals, so he can flop early doors, but he tends to come alive on TV.

However, he must be putting himself under pressure by turning up in such poor form. I cannot imagine he just doesn’t try on the floor, and only plays his true game on TV.

Poor Traveller

Ilagan is a top player on the Asian Tour, but does he travel well? On the face of it, no. He gets plenty of attention for his antics, but how many matches has he won in the Major events? Two. He beat Jamie Lewis 4-3 in the 2013 World Championship prelim round, and Rowby-John Rodriguez 3-2 in the 2023 World Championship. He has played Dimitri on TV, at that 2023 World Championship, and lost 0-3.

I would be happy to take on Van den Bergh’s TV reputation, but with Ilagan?

Van den Bergh is the 1.44 favourite, Ilagan 3.10. If Van den Bergh brings his floor game, he will be in trouble, but still lucky to be playing somebody that he could beat with a mid-80s average. These best of nine leg matches are a bit limiting for handicap bets as well, so I will have to pass on this one.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Michael Smith vs. Mensur Suljovic

This is more interesting. A real clash of styles. The Rat-a-Tat speedy style of Smith, vs. the ponderous, deliberate, Praying Mantis like style of Suljovic.

Suljovic got here for being runner up in the World Cup of Darts for Austria, which is a pairs event, and he is not even Austrian. Stewards’ inquiry surely? He has failed twice to get Austrian citizenship, but still plays for them every year.

Suljovic Leads H2H

Their H2H record is what is important. It is 14-11 to Suljovic, and he won their only match in 2024, 6-5 back in June. They have only played five times in the last two years, and Suljovic is 3-2.

Smith can struggle against slow players, and Suljovic has no shame in really slowing it down, sometimes to the point that it ruins his own game.

Smith has won six of his last ten matches, but he is very inconsistent. He is averaging low 90s or under in about half his matches recently and he has had a few matches where his doubling radar has been right off.

If Suljovic can knock Smith out of his rhythm, he could cause a minor shock. Suljovic has won seven of his last ten matches, despite playing some very ordinary darts. He has beaten players like Aspinall, Barney and Dobey averaging 88, 96 and 92 respectively.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 1 point Mensur Suljovic to win @ 3.50 with SpreadEx

Michael van Gerwen vs. Noa-Lynn Leuven

This should be a very one sided affair. Gary Anderson beat Noa-Lynn 6-0 earlier this season and something similar should be expected here. MVG has played two women (calm down Gammons) in the Grand Slam before. He beat Lisa Ashton 5-0 in 2021, and Fallon Sherrock 5-1 in 2023. He has had many, many more 5-1 wins against mis-matched opponents than he has 5-0s.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 1 point Michael van Gerwen to win -3.5 legs @ 3.20 with Livescorebet

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 0.5 point Michael van Gerwen to win 5-1 @ 4.90 with Livescorebet

Luke Littler vs. Keane Barry

These two have played six times, at junior, youth and senior level. Barry won their first match when they were both in the womb, a JDC World Championship quarter final. Littler has won the other five, including two in the Players Championship in 2024.

Littler has been off his game a bit recently, losing five of his last ten matches, and his last three Major first round matches. He will want to put that right, and this format, where he could lose, but still qualify, should be good for him. First to five legs, less so.

Free Hit For Barry

Keane Barry came through the qualifiers and he should be looking at this as a free hit. He is the 5.00 outsider and expected to lose. He can just go for it and if he loses, he goes again on Sunday. Littler is the one who is expected to win, and he will be aware that the tabloid vultures are circling. Lose that, and the sports press will be further fanning the flames of his ‘demise’.

However, I don’t think Barry has the game to win unless Littler has a really bad day at the office. His A-Game might be good enough to worry Littler, but he would still need Littler to be well under par. I can’t see any edge here. No bet.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No bet

Luke Humphries vs. Rowby-John Rodriguez

Another group stage mis-match. Rowby-John was a very promising player a while back but he has dropped off the radar, popping up at the World Cup, and winning a place at the Grand Slam. He has played in three previous Grand Slams, and he made the second round in 2021, having qualified via the World Cup again.

His seasonal average is down to 87.5, his win rate is just 37%. He will be back to Q school unless something unexpected happens here. Rodriguez has lost five of his last six matches, hitting just one 90+ average. He still possess a good A-Game, but it is rarely seen these days, with just one ton average in his last fifty matches.

Luke Humphries has lost twice to Rodriguez, but that was back in their Development Tour days in 2017. Since then it is 4-0 to Humphries. Humphries is the 1.15 favourite and this match makes no appeal.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: No Bet

Mike de Decker vs. Jermaine Wattimena

At least the crowd get one competitive match to end the night. The recently crowned World Grand Prix Champion vs. the European Championship runner up.

De Decker has won seven of his last ten matches and continues to play well. It should take a good performance to beat him.

Wattimena is a much improved player in 2024, but it was still a surprise to see him in a Major final. He has won six of his last ten matches, but five of those ten saw averages below 90. He also hit three ton plus averages, but he has pulled off some big out shots to win matches. Certainly, he won some close ones against Wade and Noppert on his way to that final.

De Decker is the more consistent performer, but Wattimena has found a backbone.

Their H2H record is 5-5. They have not played in 2024, and both have made a good step forward this year. This will be their first match on stage, and on TV. Both will be feeling confident and this should be a good, close match.

2024 Grand Slam Darts Saturday Tip: 1 point over 7.5 legs @ 1.83 with Betfred

-JamesPunt