Raymond van Barneveld

Grand Slam of Darts: Day two predictions, betting tips, acca, order of play and TV time

By Carl Fletcher

Darts

Sun November 14, 2021 · 4y ago

The Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts continues on Sunday so here's Carl Fletcher's match-by-match predictions, best bets and a suggested acca.

The Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts returns on Sunday with another double header. This time the match winners face each other hoping to put on foot into the next round and the opening day losers face off against one another hoping to keep their hopes alive. It promises to be an intriguing day of darting action.

Darts betting tips: Grand Slam of Darts day two

2pts Over 4.5 Match 180’s Chris Dobey vs Stephen Bunting at 6/5 (Bet Fred, Sky Bet)

2pts Peter Wright to win (-1.5 legs) vs Gabriel Clamens at 5/6 (General)

1pt Rob Cross to achieve the Match Treble vs Jim Williams at 13/5 (Paddy Power)

1pt Mensur Suljovic to achieve the Match Treble vs Jose De Sousa at 17/2 (Sky Bet)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

Sunday November 14 Evening Session (1900 GMT)

TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Format: Best of nine legs sets

Luke Humphries (1/3) vs Matt Campbell (9/4)

Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 95.58 – 85.81
180’s per leg (2021): 0.26 – 0.14
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 38.06% - N/A
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.75% - 11.11%

A 101.25 average and 50% on his doubles against Mensur Suljovic on Saturday night wasn’t enough for Luke Humphries as he lost 5-3 in one of the matches of the opening day.

‘Cool Hand’ is usually a big 180 hitter but he was out done in that respect by Suljovic yesterday. In fact scores of 140+ read 13-7 in favour of Mensur, this telling you the reason for his demise yesterday.

Whilst Luke lost nothing in defeat, Campbell was arguably a tad disappointing against Jose De Sousa, losing 5-1 with an 83.58 average. He did manage to muster up nine darts at the double against ‘The Special One’ but one leg aside these were typically on the end of three dart combinations.

The scoreline was probably a fair reflection of how the game went and he’ll need to up his game a lot here to trouble Humphries. I don’t see that happening however and a similar performance both by men tonight will see Campbell pretty much out.

Predicted Scoreline: Luke Humphries 5-2 Matt Campbell

Raymond Van Barneveld (1/20) vs Joe Davis (8/1)

Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 1-0 (0-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 94.57 – 84.53
180’s per leg (2021): 0.24 – 0.11
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 50.00% - N/A
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 12.40% - 3.88%

You can’t have watched Joe Davis last night and felt anything but sorry for him. Clearly struggling with tennis elbow, he tried but was way adrift of Gary Anderson in most legs as he averaged just 66.95. His solitary leg coming courtesy of a 100 checkout.

The return of ‘Barney’ in front of the Sky Cameras was given the big build up, especially as he faced Michael Smith in what was one of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the opening day. It wasn’t to be for Van Barneveld however who lost 5-4 to ‘Bully Boy’.

It was a good performance from him however as he produced an average of 96.48, was 50% on his doubles and registered the high checkout of the match at 122.

He won Players Championship Three early in the year and this match represents an opportunity for him to claim his first victory on TV since his return and set up a final group showdown, which depending upon results, could be a winner takes all match against Gary Anderson.

Predicted Scoreline: Raymond Van Barneveld 5-0 Joe Davis

John Henderson (2/5) vs Lisa Ashton (7/4)

Head to Head (TV): 1-1 (0-0)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 1-0 (1-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 91.77 – 86.30
180’s per leg (2021): 0.24 – 0.14
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 28.57% - 36.36%
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 13.71% - 11.32%

Both players suffered whitewash defeats on Saturday night. Ashton averaged 87.96 as she lost 5-0 to MVG whilst Henderson averaged 87.88 in losing 5-0 to Joe Cullen.

Both their opponents played well and Ashton must wonder at times what she’s done as that 105.85 posted by Van Gerwen last night was the fourth consecutive ton plus average she’s faced in the group stage after being drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Ratajski, Smith and De Sousa in 2020.

The pair come into this in what seems to be a fight for third place only. Henderson boasted the better seasonal average coming into this at 91.77 compared to Ashton’s 86.30 but ‘Big Hendo’ has only won four of his last nineteen matches in all competitions. Ashton winning five of her last nineteen.

It would be a game I’m not overly keen to get involved in but I think at the odds it’s worth chancing Lisa to register a landmark victory.

Predicted Scoreline: John Henderson 4-5 Lisa Ashton

Mike De Decker (4/6) vs Fallon Sherrock (11/10)

Head to Head (TV): 1-0 (0-0)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 91.22 – 85.54
180’s per leg (2021): 0.24 – 0.20
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): N/A – 38.46%
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.07% - 5.98%
An intriguing match to call this one. Both lost 5-1 in their opening games but both played fairly well.

Sherrock averaged 90.55 in losing to Peter Wright but had darts to win a further three legs whilst De Decker produced an average of 94.09 in defeat to Gabriel Clemens and at one point was seven deep into the nine.

At times De Decker looks excellent, when his first dart lands in the treble bed you expect him to fill it up. He notched up three last night and a 177 but for all that in three of the legs he lost wasn’t in touching distance of his German opponent.

We all know what Fallon is capable. The ‘Queen of the Palace’ was dominant in the Womens Series and recently lost in the Final of the Nordic Darts Masters to MVG having looked the likely winner at one point.

The odds suggest there’s not a great deal in this one and I’m inclined to agree. The support will no doubt be behind Sherrock but if De Decker can overcome that barrier I’m going for him to edge this one. He had the higher average last night and does come into this in decent form, winning 13 of his last 21 matches. It’s not a confident selection however!

Predicted Scoreline: Mike De Decker 5-4 Fallon Sherrock

Jose De Sousa (8/15) vs Mensur Suljovic (11/8)

Head to Head (TV): 1-2 (0-0)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-2 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 3-0 (0-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 98.24 – 94.05
180’s per leg (2021): 0.35 – 0.17
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 39.11% - 38.84%
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.67% - 9.09%

Defending champion Jose De Sousa brushed aside Matt Campbell with relative ease last night in what many tipped to be a tight encounter. The 5-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of his dominance however as he averaged 12 points higher than the Canadian.

Mensur Suljovic was also victorious in a high quality affair against Luke Humphries producing a ton plus average, his third in his last five matches.

He missed a good portion of the season having not featured in any events between May and August but since his return in September he’s found some form somewhat. Eighteen wins in thirty one matches including reaching the final of both the World Cup and the Gibraltar Darts Trophy.

The pair have met twice this year and it’s the Austrian who’s come out on top twice. He averaged 100+ on both occasions and in fact completed the Match Treble in both including at the most recent event Players Championship 30.

That’s where I’m going here and last night was the third game in four that De Sousa failed to notch up a 180, Mensur on the hand hit three and numerous other big scores.

Predicted Scoreline: Jose De Sousa 3-5 Mensur Suljovic

Gary Anderson (Evs) vs Michael Smith (8/11)

Head to Head (TV): 13-8 (7-4)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 1-0 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 0-2 (0-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 95.50 – 96.56
180’s per leg (2021): 0.26 – 0.28
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 36.50% - 38.37%
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 11.85% - 11.19%

These pair are good friends and the pace of the game should suit both and hopefully bring out fireworks from both.

Michael Smith’s 5-4 victory over Raymond Van Barneveld last night was his eleventh successive victory in group stage matches and a 100.43 average was his first ton plus average in fourteen matches.

Gary Anderson on the other hand won 5-1 and averaged just 82.39 in beating a clearly injured Joe Davis. I believe that Joe’s performance affected Gary too and we’ll see better here.

What will disappoint Gary the most is the loss of one leg. The injury to Joe Davie means this group has effectively become a three horse race between Anderson, Smith and Van Barneveld and leg difference could become all important.

These have met once before this year and it was ‘The Flying Scotsman’ who won 6-4 back in June. It’s Smith however who looked the more impressive last night and has done so on tour. A victory for Smith with Davis left to play will pretty much seal his advancement to the knockout stages and I think he’ll come out on top here.

Predicted Scoreline: Gary Anderson 4-5 Michael Smith

Peter Wright (4/9) vs Gabriel Clemens (13/8)

Head to Head (TV): 2-3 (2-1)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 0-0 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 5-0 (1-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 97.92 – 92.98
180’s per leg (2021): 0.30 – 0.29
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 39.41% - 36.15%
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 12.46% - 10.58%

Gabriel Clemens knocked out Peter Wright at the World Championships back in December as ‘Snakebite’ attempted to defend his crown.

Both won 5-1 last night and they both averaged exactly the same at 96.45. Wright beating Fallon Sherrock and Clemens beating Mike De Decker.

The pair are yet to meet in 2021 and you’d imagine the winner of this will book their ticket to the next round with a game to spare effectively.

Peter Wright amassed four 180’s on his way to victory on Saturday compared to Gabriel Clemens who hit just one. That power scoring shows on the 180 front and average on the seasonal data and I think that will be enough to see him edge this one.

Wright who was majestic in lifting the Matchplay in July has that ability to turn it on for prolonged periods and I thought Clemens looked a bit nervy despite the scoreline last night. ‘Snakebite’ for the win here.

Predicted Scoreline: Peter Wright 5-3 Gabriel Clemens

Michael Van Gerwen (2/5) vs Joe Cullen (7/4)

Head to Head (TV): 16-6 (3-0)
2021 Head to Head (TV): 1-2 (0-0)
2021 Titles (TV): 2-2 (1-0)
Three-Dart Average (2021): 99.37 – 95.88
180’s per leg (2021): 0.22 – 0.31
Checkout Percentage (Stage Events 2021): 43.60% - 38.53%
100+ checkouts per leg won (2021): 14.32% - 10.86%

Both impressive in winning 5-0 last night and both will be looking to put a foot in the knockout stages with victory here.

These two met in the Semi-Final of the most recent event, Players Championship 30 where ‘The Rockstar’ won 7-4 averaging 111.28 compared to the 104.22 of MVG in a top drawer encounter.

Looking at last night performances, Joe Cullen averaged 98.88 and hit four 180’s in beating John Henderson and Michael Van Gerwen averaged 105.85 with a solitary 180 in beating Lisa Ashton.

The pair met in this event last year, also in the Group stage and it was Van Gerwen who won 5-3 on that occasion.

This could go either way. Michael Van Gerwen hasn’t been winning tournaments like in previous years and Joe Cullen is having deep runs regularly having won a couple of Players Championship events himself already this year and reaching the final of the latest event.

I think a break of throw here and there could be telling and I’m edging for MVG to win but whoever has the throw could be significant.

Predicted Scoreline: Michael Van Gerwen 5-4 Joe Cullen