World Grand Prix Darts Predictions

The darts season steps up a gear over the next three months, with a series of huge tournaments taking place, culminating in the PDC World Darts Championship over Christmas.

The World Grand Prix starts on Monday and a top-class 32-man field will assemble at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester to compete for a major title and a £120,000 winner's cheque. Luke Humphries is the defending champion.

Last year's Grand Prix provided Humphries' first major success. He went on to dominate darts for several months, becoming world champion in January. Cool Hand Luke is 9/2 to retain the Grand Prix trophy.

Tip 1 - Luke Littler to win @ 7/2

Luke Littler makes his World Grand Prix debut on Monday and can be expected to fall in love with the format. The Nuke loves being creative on a dart board in conventional matches, so the double-in demands should appeal to him.

Littler is a huge fan of double-top, which, if he misses low, leaves him with his beloved double-ten. The starlet could probably hit double-ten blindfolded - he has a magnificent strike-rate on that target - so it is difficult to see him getting left behind in many legs in Leicester.

Players do most damage to their chances in this format when they fail to get away in legs, missing doubles, but Littler can start confidently on double-top and use double-ten when needed. His 180s-hitting is equally strong, so the youngster seems the complete Grand Prix package.

Tip 2 - Gary Anderson each-way @ 9/1

Littler won plenty of matches in the three Players Championship contests in Wigan in midweek, beaten only by some inspired opponents, and Gary Anderson could also leave those floor events with renewed self-belief.

Anderson produced some incredible darts in Wigan, including a nine-dart finish, underlining that he is still a huge threat for all major titles at the age of 53. The Scot sensibly skipped the final Players Championship so he could freshen up for the Grand Prix.

Anderson can be fancied to defeat Michael Smith in the opening round and go deep in the competition. Perhaps a classic final against Littler - old against young - is on the cards.

Tip 3 - Dave Chisnall each-way @ 22/1

With the Lukes - Littler and Humphries - housed in the top half of the Grand Prix draw, there is a great opportunity for the others to make the final. Anderson will be licking his lips - and a semi-final date with Dave Chisnall may be on the cards.

Like Anderson, Chisnall has been throwing some stellar tungsten in non-televised floor events. Chizzy is a prodigious 180s hitter who has been better than usual on his doubles lately.

Chisnall is arguably the best player in darts who is yet to win a televised event - and the St Helens man will be sensing his time may have come. An each-way bet would pay rich dividends if Chizzy reached the final.

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation