The PDC World Cup of Darts gets underway at the Sparkassen Arena in Kiel, Germany with defending champions Wales looking like the team to beat.
Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton Defeated Michael Smith and Rob Cross of England 3-0 in last year’s final held in Austria to win the competition for the first time.
For Clayton, it was his first TV title win while Price continued his ascent up the world ladder – one which would culminate him in becoming world number one after his World Championship triumph at Alexandra Palace.
However, the likes of England, the Netherlands, and Scotland will be keen to regain the title.
Price And Clayton A Match Made In Heaven
Owing to the PDC Order of Merit, Wales aren’t actually top seed though Price and Clayton are clearly the team to beat.
Price arrives into the World Cup fresh from the back of European Tour success on Sunday – he swept aside Michael Smith in the Hungarian Darts Trophy 8-2 with an average of nearly 109.
The “Iceman” has always possessed talent and a fiery determination to win but is now putting in consistently world-class displays.
Absolutely buzzing to win thank you all for the continued support was great having the fans back Michael played amazing all weekend I just had that little bit more now on to retain the World Cup
@OfficialPDC @reddragondarts @TuffStuff_UK @MarshallGroup @valleywaterserv pic.twitter.com/myY0k7PwZd
— Gerwyn Price (@Gezzyprice) September 5, 2021
Clayton might be seen to have the role of right-hand man to Price but winning the Premier League and Masters titles showcased his ability as a world-class arrowsmith in his own right.
Between them, Price and Clayton have collected eight titles in 2021 and look very strong to make it nine.
Their first test will be against Finland who include veteran thrower Marko Kantele.
Collision Course Potential For MvG And Wright
With the Netherlands seeded at number three and Scotland six, a quarter-final clash could emerge and give Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright the chance to renew old rivalries.
Van Gerwen – for so long the dominant force of darts post-Phil Taylor – is remarkably still awaiting his first title of 2021, a fall from grace for a man that is used to picking up at least a dozen wins in any calendar year.
His partner at the World Cup will be Grand Prix runner up and energetic world number 21 Dirk van Duijvenbode, a man who is a rut of form having lost each of his last six matches.
Denmark will be their first opponents in Germany.
Scotland will be led by Matchplay winner Peter Wright, who cruised to the title in Blackpool after beating last year’s winner Dimitri van den Bergh 18-9.
“Snakebite” has been in scintillating form this year and will hope to win the World Cup for a second time.
However, he will have to do it with a different partner after Gary Anderson withdrew.
World number 45 John Henderson has been drafted in as a replacement, hence Scotland’s dip in the seedings.
China, who feature two debutants in the competition, are first up.
New Look England Hope To Vindicate Number One Seed
It is all change from last year as far as England are concerned with Michael Smith and Rob Cross both falling out of contention due to their tumbles down the rankings.
Replacing them will be world number four James Wade and world number seven Dave Chisnall.
For Wade, it is his first World Cup since participating in the inaugural tournament in 2010 alongside Phil Taylor, a real show of his staying power at the top of the game.
Chisnall returns to action for England after a three-year absence and both will have a point to prove – England have never won with either player in their line up.
In theory, it should be a dynamite combination – Chisnall’s power scoring and Wade’s ruthless finishing could see them dispatch the lower nations with minimal fuss.
Wade has also won a major this year having claimed the UK Open following an 11-5 win against Luke Humphries.
Their first assignment will be Brazil, who include World Championship participant Diogo Portela.
All odds correct at time of writing
