World Darts Betting Tips Day 17: El Clasico tie to deliver on quality

• Gian van Veen 8/19.00 to win the World Championship 

• MvG and Anderson to produce a classic

• Youngsters to show that the game is in good hands

This year's World Championship has served up plenty of shocks, surprises and epic encounters with underdogs and debutants thriving, not many of the tournament favourites have had things all their own way. However, the reigning champion Luke Littler is yet to drop a set and is 4/71.57 to retain his title, with back-to-back World Youth Champion Gian van Veen available at 8/19.00 to get his hands on the Sid Waddell trophy for the first time in his career.

MvG and Anderson to produce a belter

For the fourth successive year, Michael van Gerwen has made it through to the Last 16 of the World Championship, proving that it doesn't matter what's gone before in a calendar year, he so often manages to find what's required to go on a run in the biggest tournament of the season.

Typically bullish in his post-match interview after beating Arno Merk, saying he didn't believe he was involved in a contest and that he had things all his own way, it's not too big a stretch to suggest that he will have far sterner challenges when he faces The Flying Scotsman.

Gary Anderson has been terrific so far here in London, missing double 12 for a nine darter en route to coming through an absolute barnstormer against Jermaine Wattimena, hitting 14 maximums in the process he produced a second consecutive ton plus average on the Ally Pally stage.

Whilst Mighty Mike's level has often been difficult to predict this year and he has so often followed up a dominant and commanding display with a disappointing showing, these two so often bring out the best in each other.

The two former World Champions played out a thrilling match at the Grand Slam last month and even though this is over a longer format, I think it'll deliver a similar level of quality.

I think this one could go long, with plenty of twists and turns along the way and I'm backing both players to hit 9+ 180s each at 2/13.00. 

Two youngsters to treat us to a show

On debut, Charlie Manby continues to take this World Championship by storm. Having had issues on the outer ring in the opening few sets of his match against Ricky Evans, the 20-year-old showed tremendous composure and maturity to improve and eventually canter towards the finishing line.

He has shown in shorter format matches and away from the big TV stages that he has a significantly higher ceiling than shown so far on the iconic stage, he certainly has gears to go through.

Whilst I think one of the title favourites Gian van Veen will ultimately have too much for him, I think this is a contest we could see a heck of a lot of in the latter stages of major tournaments for many years to come.

The European Champion wasn't at his best and declared after his third round win that he wasn't overly happy with the way his darts were entering the board but that didn't stop him from averaging 98 against Madars Razma.

I think we'll still see this match go six sets, ample time for the Dutchman to fire in +7.5 180s at 11/102.11. 

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