Dirk van Duijvenbode will face Gerwyn Price on Monday night

World Grand Prix darts final: Dirk van Duijvenbode v Gerwyn Price predictions, odds, betting tips, statistics, H2H record & Sky Sports TV start time

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Mon October 12, 2020 · 5y ago

Our guide to the Boylesports World Grand Prix final between Dirk van Duijvenbode and Gerwyn Price includes tournament statistics, head-to-head records, routes to the final and betting tips.

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A new name will be engraved on the World Grand Prix trophy tonight as first-time finalist Gerwyn Price takes on debutant Dirk van Duijvenbode in a clash very few would have predicted.

There's obviously no surprise about Price still standing as he eyes a fourth career TV title and his second in the space of three weeks, but aubergine farmer van Duijvenbode has already made history by becoming the first debutant to get this far since the first staging of the double-start tournament back in 1998.

Usually, experience of this format is essential to avoid the pitfalls and cope with different pressures at both ends of legs but he's made a mockery of all that - not to mention is 200/1 pre-tournament odds - to earn the biggest payday of his career by far whatever happens tonight.

Nevertheless, even if van Duijvenbode does pocket the career-changing £100,000 top prize instead of the runners-up cheque of £45,000, he's already stated his intentions to be back on the farm on Tuesday!

The 28-year-old Dutchman had never gone beyond the last 32 of any of his previous six major appearances, which include four UK Opens, so if anyone has a betting slip with his name on it, then you should be writing our darts tips!

Anyway, here's my preview of tonight's final including three bets, scoreline prediction, tournament statistics, head-to-head records and routes to the final, while you can also look back on the all the results and previous finals.

Dirk van Duijvenbode (3/1) v Gerwyn Price (1/4)

World Grand Prix final: Monday October 12
TV Coverage: Sky Sports (2000 BST)
Best of nine sets. All sets are the best of five legs. There will be no tie-break in any set. All legs must begin and end with a double, meaning that a player must hit a double before he can begin scoring in each leg.

Head-to-head record (Van Duijvenbode first)

Overall H2H: 0-10
Televised Meetings: 0-1
6-10: 2018 UK Open (L32)
2020 Meetings: 0-2
4-7: Belgian Darts Championship (SF, March 1)
4-7: Players Championship 2 (SF, February 9)
Senior Career PDC titles: 0-14 (TV: 0-3)
Televised PDC Titles/Finals: 0/0 - 3/7
Titles this season: 0-5 (TV: 0-1)
PDC Order of Merit: 73rd - 3rd
ProTour Order of Merit: 14th - 1st
Previous World Grand Prix best: N/A - QF (2018)
World Grand Prix Wins/Losses: 4/0 - 7/5

In this early section of the preview, the only stat going in van Duijvenbode's favour is his career win-loss record at the World Grand Prix! In becoming the first debutant to reach the final, he now has the chance to be the first player since Phil Taylor to win their first five matches in the event. The Power, of course, went on to reach 13 from 1998 until Kevin Painter shocked him in 2001.

As you can see, Gerwyn Price has defeated Aubergenius in all 10 of their meetings so far dating back to 2016 - and none of them have ever even gone to a last-leg decider - but their two most recent came at a time before lockdown when van Duijvenbode was really starting to catch the eye.

Having regained his Tour Card at European qualifying school, the 28-year-old went on a pair of career best semi-finals runs at Players Championship and European Tour events, only to suffer 7-4 defeats to Price in both.

Since the restart van Duijvenbode has gone back under the radar due to very mediocre results on the tour, while he was also as big as 18/1 just to get through what looked to be a ridiculously tough quarter of the draw.

The Iceman lost the first of those finals he reached by virtue of beating van Duijvenbode to Nathan Aspinall but he won the other against Michael Smith in Belgium to collect his second of five titles this season, which is more than anyone else.

This is Price's 10th final of 2020 and his third in televised events having lost to MVG at the UK Open before lockdown and then triumphing at the World Series of Darts last month while he's also chasing a fourth PDC title in the last five events of any kind.

The two-time Grand Slam of Darts champion may well have only once gone as far as the quarter-finals once in this competition before this year, but it looks as though he's almost as confident with the double-start format now as he is with the conventional game.

There's no doubts whatsoever that he can handle an occasion such as this considering he's won TV titles as both underdog and as a favourite so it'll be interesting to see if van Duijvenbode can remain as cool as an aubergine like he's been all week.

Routes to the World Grand Prix final

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE

Rd 1: 2-1 Mensur Suljovic (3-1, 0-3, 3-1)
Average: 72.98
180s: 0`
Starting Doubles Missed: 18 in 11 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 3
Finishing Doubles: 6/23 (26.09%)
100+ Checkouts: N/A (Highest: 76)
Rd 2: 3-1 Dimitri Van den Bergh (3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2)
Average: 89.82
180s: 3
Starting Doubles Missed: 24 in 20 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 5
Finishing Doubles: 11/22 (55%)
100+ Checkouts: N/A (Highest: 97)
QF: 3-1 Gary Anderson (3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
Average: 94.29
180s: 4
Starting Doubles Missed: 13 in 18 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 2
Finishing Doubles: 11/22 (50%)
100+ Checkouts: N/A (Highest: 96)
SF: 4-1 Simon Whitlock (3-0, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
Average: 88.17
180s: 10
Starting Doubles Missed: 18 in 17 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 3
Finishing Doubles: 13/33 (39.39%)
100+ Checkouts: N/A (Highest: 89)

To say Dirk van Duijvenbode started his debut campaign slowly is an understatement and I doubt few fans have chosen to remember much about his turgid victory over Mensur Suljovic. However, he's been a completely different player since then to claim further scalps of World Matchplay finalists Dimitri Van den Bergh and Gary Anderson, before thrashing Simon Whitlock.

He was underdog in every game, which isn't a surprise considering he was 200/1 for the title before a dart was thrown, so that certainly won't put him off against Price.

Drawing a line through the Suljovic win, he's been very solid in all areas of the game - particularly against Anderson - although my main concern for him is that Whitlock's poor showing made the semi-final look easier than it should have been. There's no way Price will average less than 80 tonight.

GERWYN PRICE

Rd 1: 2-0 Jermaine Wattimena (3-2, 3-2)
Average: 84.02
180s: 4
Starting Doubles Missed: 24 in 10 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 5
Finishing Doubles: 6/16 (37.5%)
100+ Checkouts: 118
Rd 2: 3-0 Kim Huybrechts (3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Average: 95.42
180s: 2
Starting Doubles Missed: 20 in 12 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 4
Finishing Doubles: 9/20 (45%)
100+ Checkouts: 148, 132
QF: 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1)
Average: 90.08
180s: 5
Starting Doubles Missed: 13 in 16 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 1
Finishing Doubles: 10/25 (40%)
100+ Checkouts: 164
SF: 4-3 Dave Chisnall (3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 1-3, 3-2)
Average: 92.38
180s: 9
Starting Doubles Missed: 39 in 31 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 8
Finishing Doubles: 14/41 (34.14%)
100+ Checkouts: 130, 104, 104

Gerwyn Price may well be extending his narrow lead in the 'best player in the world right now' debate but none of his performances so far have been breathtaking.

His opening match really should have gone to a dicey deciding set while neither Kim Huybrechts nor Jeffrey de Zwaan put anywhere near enough pressure on him during fairly one-sided affairs.

When that was applied by Dave Chisnall from a position of strength at 3-1 up, he showed genuine signs of vulnerability with the double-in format and even admitted afterwards that he thought he had "bombed the opportunity."

Having survived those three match darts, he may well come firing out of the blocks and produce his best performance of the week - but that doesn't mean van Duijvenbode can't tie him up at some point.

World Grand Prix overall tournament stats

As you can see for yourself below, Gerwyn Price has the overall statistical advantage over Dirk van Duijvenbode in terms of averages but the underdog's tournament mark is brought down considerably by the 72.98 he recorded on his scrappy debut. He's picked up a lot since then and his doubling at the end of legs has been pretty clinical throughout, which bodes well considering Price's sloppy starting should give him chances tonight.

The Welshman got away really well against Jeffrey de Zwaan but in his other three matches there were plenty of no scoring visits, including eight against Dave Chisnall that contributed to his 3-1 lead being completely wiped out. Considering this is van Duijvenbode's first World Grand Prix experience, his double-in rates are much cleaner and if he can stay calm at both ends of legs then Price can't be complacent again.

Although the 180 hitting looks close, you have to bear in mind that the aubergine farmer hit 10 of his 17 in one match against Simon Whitlock whereas Price has been consistently stronger in that area, apart from when he managed just two in 12 legs against Kim Huybrechts.

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE

Tournament Average: 87.08
Highest Average: 94.29 v Anderson
180s: 17
Starting Doubles Missed: 73 in 66 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 13
Checkout percentage: 41.84% (41/98)
100+ checkouts: 0. Highest is 97
Legs won/lost: 41/25

GERWYN PRICE

Tournament Average: 91.03
Highest Average: 95.42 v Huybrechts
180s: 20
Starting Doubles Missed: 96 in 71 legs
Number of no score opening visits: 18
Checkout percentage: 38.24% (39/102)
100+ checkouts: SEVEN: 164, 148, 132, 130, 118, 104, 104
Legs won/lost: 41/30

World Grand Prix final prediction & bets

Click here for Sky Bet's match odds
So far, Chris has flagged up winning match tips of 3/1, 5/4, 1/1, 7/2, 4/1, 13/8, 11/10, 2/1, 1/1, 2/1, 11/10 and 5/4 from a total of 23 suggested across the opening three rounds and a treble of almost 8/1.

Weighing up all the stats, performances and all the other factors discussed, I really do feel Dirk van Duijvenbode has built up enough confidence to give Gerwyn Price a real run for his money tonight.

He showed no stage fright or finishing line wobbles when playing for a career-changing cheque of £45,000 against Simon Whitlock and seemed to revel in competing at such a high level. He admitted in his post-match interview that he hadn't really shown his best on his rare TV outings before and this should change his mindset when more major chances come his way.

Price needs to brush up on his double-ins because if frustrations grow in this format, he could end up playing a dangerous game of catch-up.

That said, like he proved against Rob Cross in the recent World Series of Darts Finals, the Welshman does have a tremendous amount of character in those type of positions, while he's also a superb front runner - apart from against Chizzy last night.

I think he'll win a close final and add a new major to his ever-growing CV of honours, while I also expect him to fire in the most 180s.

I'm not too keen on the match checkout market - either a high one to hit or a target of 100+ finishes to make - because the stats suggest it'll only be Price really contributing on that score. However, he has managed seven 100+ checkouts, including five above the amount he needs to tick one box off his Player Performance requirements below.

Suggested bet one: Dirk van Duijvenbode +2.5 Sets at 11/10
Suggested bet two: Gerwyn Price to win and hit most 180s at 11/8
Suggested bet two: Gerwyn Price to win and hit most 180s at 11/8 the match, score over 5.5 180s and checkout over 115.5 at 5/4
Scoreline prediction: Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-5 Gerwyn Price

World Grand Prix: Tournament results

ROUND ONE

(1) Michael van Gerwen 2-1 Krzysztof Ratajski (3-0, 1-3, 3-2)
Devon Petersen 2-0 Jose De Sousa (3-1, 3-2)
Mervyn King 2-0 James Wade (8) (3-1, 3-1)
Simon Whitlock* 2-0 Chris Dobey (3-0, 3-1)
Dimitri Van den Bergh 2-0 Michael Smith (4) (3-2, 3-2)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-1 Mensur Suljovic (3-1, 0-3, 3-1)
Gary Anderson 2-0 Rob Cross (5) (3-2, 3-1)
Danny Noppert 2-1 Ryan Searle (0-3, 3-0, 3-1)
Ryan Joyce 2-0 Peter Wright (2) (3-1, 3-2)
Dave Chisnall 2-0 Glen Durrant (3-1, 3-0)
Joe Cullen 2-1 Daryl Gurney (7) (3-0, 2-3, 3-2)
Jonny Clayton 2-1 Ian White (3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
Gerwyn Price (3) 2-0 Jermaine Wattimena (3-2, 3-2)
Kim Huybrechts 2-1 Brendan Dolan (1-3, 3-2, 3-1)
Gabriel Clemens 2-0 Nathan Aspinall (6) (3-1, 3-2)
Jeffrey de Zwaan* 2-1 Jamie Hughes (3-1, 1-3, 3-0)

* Simon Whitlock and Jeffrey de Zwaan replaced Adrian Lewis and Stephen Bunting in the draw respectively after the duo withdrew due to positive tests for Covid 19

ROUND TWO

Michael van Gerwen 3-0 Devon Petersen (3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
Simon Whitlock 3-2 Mervyn King (2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-1 Dimitri Van den Bergh (3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2)
Gary Anderson 3-0 Danny Noppert (3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Dave Chisnall 3-2 Ryan Joyce (1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
Joe Cullen 3-2 Jonny Clayton (3-0, 3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 Kim Huybrechts (3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Gabriel Clemens (3-0, 3-2, 3-0)

QUARTER-FINALS

Simon Whitlock 3-0 Michael van Gerwen (3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-1 Gary Anderson (3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
Dave Chisnall 3-2 Joe Cullen (2-3, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)
Gerwyn Price 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1)

CLICK HERE FOR REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS

SEMI-FINALS

Dirk van Duijvenbode 4-1 Simon Whitlock (3-0, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
Gerwyn Price 4-3 Dave Chisnall (3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 1-3, 3-2)

CLICK HERE FOR REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS

World Grand Prix: Past finals

Final scores in sets
1998 - Phil Taylor 13-8 Rod Harrington (Legs)
1999 - Phil Taylor 6-1 Shayne Burgess
2000 - Phil Taylor 6-1 Shayne Burgess
2001 - Alan Warriner 8-2 Roland Scholten
2002 - Phil Taylor 7-3 John Part
2003 - Phil Taylor 7-2 John Part
2004 - Colin Lloyd 7-3 Alan Warriner
2005 - Phil Taylor 7-1 Colin Lloyd
2006 - Phil Taylor 7-4 Terry Jenkins
2007 - James Wade 6-3 Terry Jenkins
2008 - Phil Taylor 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
2009 - Phil Taylor 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
2010 - James Wade 6-3 Adrian Lewis
2011 - Phil Taylor 6-3 Brendan Dolan
2012 - Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Mervyn King
2013 - Phil Taylor 6-0 Dave Chisnall
2014 - Michael van Gerwen 5-3 James Wade
2015 - Robert Thornton 5-4 Michael van Gerwen
2016 - Michael van Gerwen 5-2 Gary Anderson
2017: Daryl Gurney 5-4 Simon Whitlock
2018: Michael van Gerwen 5-2 Peter Wright
2019: Michael van Gerwen 5-1 Dave Chisnall

World Grand Prix Most Titles

Phil Taylor - 11
Michael van Gerwen - 5
James Wade - 2
Daryl Gurney - 1
Colin Lloyd - 1
Alan Warriner - 1
Robert Thornton - 1

Click here for full 2020 World Grand Prix guide

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