World Darts Betting Tips Day 8: Wattimena to notch up another Ally Pally win

• Gerwyn Price is now 12/113.00 to win the World Championship 

• Wattimena to deal with potentially tricky opponent

• MvG to make a statement

This year's World Championship has thrown up a couple of surprises with Ross Smith and Niko Springer both knocked out in their opening matches, but with the majority of heavy hitters and favourites now through to round two, Gerwyn Price has come in to third favourite for the title at 12/113.00, with Luke Humphries available at 9/25.50 to reclaim his crown.

Wattimena in wonderful form

Jermaine Wattimena arrives at the Alexandra Palace as a PDC ranking event winner for the first time, something he finally achieved in Hildesheim back in July after falling short in six previous finals. He backed that up with a second title a couple of months ago, beating Nathan Aspinall in the final.

Having made a number of changes to his game, most noticeably a couple of tweaks to his technique and slowing down his throw a little, he has looked better than ever at times over the past 18 months and after producing his best ever performances on the Ally Pally stage to see off James Wade and Stefan Bellmont last year before losing out to Peter Wright, he should arrive full of confidence.

In Dominik Gruellich he faces an interesting opponent and one who can certainly cause a few issues. Even though he is suffering from dartitis, the German has managed to string together a number of impressive wins on the floor, beating the likes of Daryl Gurney, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Michael Smith en route to a final.

He has also picked up his first two titles on the Development Tour this year, despite his struggles to release his darts, he still has remarkable accuracy given the circumstances.

There have been some eye-catching scalps for the youngster this season but I still think Jermaine Wattimena will have a comfortable route through to the second round and at [EVS] back him to complete the match treble of win, hit the most 180s and highest checkout. 

MvG to put down a marker

Three time World Champion Michael van Gerwen kicks off his latest campaign against 52-year-old debutant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.

Having failed to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, a clear indicator of how he performed in floor tournaments across 2025, the last time we saw him in action was at the Grand Slam where he was spellbinding in a crunch clash with Gary Anderson to advance from his group before losing out to Danny Noppert in the next round.

In what has been a turbulent year off the oche, his consistency on it has been more questionable than ever. We've seen some dominant displays and statement victories that has made everyone sit up and ask whether he's back, before an underwhelming performance in his following match dampens that excitement.

Consistency and fear factor are no longer associated with Mighty Mike but every so often, it can stil click for him as shown at the World Series of Darts Finals.

Whilst I don't think we'll see him enjoy a run to the final as he did 12 months ago, I do expect him to deliver in his opener with a completely commanding performance.

At 3/14.00 I'm backing 5+ 180s to be hit as well as 1+ Bull finish in the match. 

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