World Grand Prix Thursday Tip

It was an excellent night for us on Wednesday at the World Grand Prix. Ian White landed the most 180s and Jonny Clayton also won, making it 2/2 winning tips from James Punt. Let’s hope the gravy train keeps on rolling this evening, check out his World Grand Prix Thursday Tips below.

Danny Noppert vs. Ian White

Ian White had a game of two halves last night. He was poor to start, really struggling on the doubles, something of a career trait, and went 0-2 down , failing to win a single leg. It looked done and dusted but then Labanauskas, probably getting ahead of himself, dropped his standards and lost the next two sets 0-3 and 1-3.

By this stage, the crowd discovered they could swap Ian White for Peter Wright and started that relatively annoying chant. That carried White through a tight third set, eventually winning 3-2 and taking the match. I would say he was a little lucky to win, a better player than Labanauskas would have put him out after going 2-0 up. White averaged 88 in the end, not bad, but nothing great.

Danny Noppert, slayer of MVG in round 1, beat another Dutchman, Vincent van der Voort 3-0 and it was another good performance. It was more competitive than 3-0 suggests with two sets going to a deciding leg. His tournament average is 94 compared to 82.5 for White. Noppert has been impressive, looks like he means business and he may be especially motivated this week.

Noppert Motivated

Off the oche matters influence performance on it and Noppert is emotionally stimulated following the death of his father a couple of weeks ago, but also by the fact that his girlfriend is expecting their first child next February. These two factors may explain his extra determination this week. His game has been in good shape for months but he was just lacking something, not getting over the line often enough. Now he may have found that final part of the jigsaw.

Their H2H stats show a 3-2 lead for White but Noppert won their only stage match 10-9 in the World Series of Darts finals quarter final in 2019. Noppert went on to reach the final, losing to MVG. That remains his best performance in a TV tournament.

In White’s long career he has played in 10 televised quarter finals and won just one, and that was a nervy 10-9 win over William O’Connor. That was his ninth attempt at winning a quarter final. It didn’t open the floodgates however, as he lost his next quarter final against Devon Petersen.

World Grand Prix Thursday Tips: 2 points Danny Noppert to win @ 1.67 with Betfred, Betvictor

Krzysztof Ratajski vs. Jonny Clayton

Two players who are very close in terms of form. Both are averaging 97 for the last 12 months and last 3 months. Both came into this event not in great form and Ratajski has won just four of his last ten, Clayton five.

However, both have played very well in the first two rounds. The Polish Eagle has beaten Aspinall and Cross and is averaging 91. The Ferret beat Rydz and De Sousa and is averaging 95. That average is very close to his 12-month average despite the double start format.

Their H2H record is 2-2 but Ratajski leads 2-1 in stage form. In terms of TV form, Ratajski has played five TV quarter finals and won one, but it was his last one, at this years Matchplay. Clayton has played in ten and won five and obviously he is much more experienced in these big major events.

I have to make Clayton the favourite, but this is a hard match to call. Clayton is a proven big match winner, but Ratajski has the game to win majors and his stage form is improving as he gets more experience.

The bookmakers have Clayton as the 1.57 favourite, Ratajski 2.50. There might be a touch of value in Ratajski’s odds. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if he were to win. I can’t find any edge in this match and the odds look to be about right. No bet.

Gerwyn Price vs. Dave Chisnall

This will be Dave Chisnall’s sixth Grand Prix quarter final and he has won four of his previous five. Price has played two and won one. Their H2H record is 4-4 and their last two meetings have been in this event. Price won their semi-final 4-3 last year, Chizzy their first-round match in 2019.

Price was never a big fan of this format until he won it last year and he is now on a run of seven straight wins in the double in format. Chisnall is a fan of the event reaching the final twice and reaching two other semi-finals. The deeper Chisnall goes in a major, the less confidence I have in him. The fact that he has never won one is in his head and the pressure grows and then ‘that’ throw comes into his game.

Price has played the better darts so far, averaging 96.5 to Chisnall’s 88. Price has dropped a single set, Chisnall three and he was 0-2 down to Ross Smith in the second round. A slow start tonight and he is unlikely to win against Price, who is the best player in the world right now.

Gerwyn Price is the 1.33 favourite, Chisnall 3.50. Again, those odds look about right. Chisnall fancies his chances and knows this format gives him a better chance but if it comes down to a close fight, I’d take Price to nick it. He has the greater mental strength. Another deciding set? Why not.

World Grand Prix Thursday Tips: 1 point Gerwyn price to win 3-2 @ 5.00 with Pokerstars

Stephen Bunting vs. Ryan Searle

There is nothing between them in the H2H stats with two wins each. They usually have close matches and when they met in the World Championship back in December, Bunting won 4-3.

Ryan Searle is in terrific form, winning fourteen of his last sixteen matches. Stephen Bunting has won six of his last ten. Both have won a recent players championship event, and both are in a confident frame of mind.

Bunting’s tournament average is 93, Searle’s 92.

Both players are big 180 hitters but so far Bunting has hit 11 from his 23 legs played, Searle 8 from 32 legs. That is a whopping 0.48 per leg from Bunting compared to 0.25 for Searle. Over the last 12 months, Buntings 180 strike rate is 0.24 per leg, half of what he has done so far. Searle’s strike rate over the last 12 months is 0.24, very much in line with his tournament rate.

He won’t necessarily carry on banging in the maximums at such a rate, but he looks worth backing to hit the most at 2.00

World Grand Prix Thursday Tips: 1 point Bunting to hit the most 180’s @ 2.00 with Pokerstars

With both players being in good form, their close H2H record and a history of close matches, we can expect a long match, very possibly a five setter. In which case we should see plenty of maximums hit.

World Grand Prix Thursday Tips: 2 points Over 7.5 180’s @ 2.00 with Boylesports, Skybet

-JamesPunt