Grand Slam of Darts day seven betting tips & predictions: Fitness issues could be the key to quarter-finals
Grand Slam of Darts date, start time & TV info
Date Saturday, November 8 to Sunday, November 16
Venue WV Active Aldersley, Wolverhampton
Competition PDC Tour
TV Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports+
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Grand Slam of Darts day seven betting tips & predictions
Best Bets
Gerwyn Price -5.5 legs
4pts Evens Betfair, Paddy Power
Over 25.5 legs in Luke Humphries vs Michael Smith
3pts 21-20 Hills
Gerwyn Price to win 16-5
1pt 16-1 bet365
Michael Smith to lead after ten legs
1pt 9-2 bet365
Grand Slam of Darts preview
The first two quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts take place on Friday evening and three of the four competitors are struggling with injury problems.
Gerwyn Price appears set to approach the oche free from any fitness concerns, but the other trio who are hoping to stay in contention for Major glory in Wolverhampton have variance aches and pains to deal with.
Luke Humphries said he was considering withdrawing from the tournament on Wednesday morning when he was struggling to get out of bed. A suspected back spasm meant he endured a difficult day, with limited mobility in his neck, and three hours of massage therapy was required before Cool Hand took to the stage against Jurgen van der Velde.
Humphries waxed lyrical after the game about the work of his masseuse, Mandy Holmes, having averaged 108.55 in a 10-3 destruction of Van der Velde, but the pain remained and he has been having further treatment since.
Michael Smith’s career has been hampered by injury, with wrist problems followed by foot and shoulder issues, and he has slid down the world rankings. The Grand Slam has provided his first televised darts since March. Smith uses various machines to prepare his body for matches, but he is only able to practice darts for a maximum of an hour. A best-of-31-legs quarter-final will provide a huge physical test for Bully Boy.
Gerwyn Price looks a rock-solid favourite against Ricky Evans in WolverhamptonCredit: Getty Images
Smith should be able to compete with Humphries in the early stages, but seems likely to wilt later in the contest. The niggles of Humphries improve as he loosens up, so expect the world number one to assert himself in the final third of the duel. Smith to be leading after ten legs looks good value at 9-2, while the match to go 26 legs or more also appeals at a shade of odds-on.
Ricky Evans was suffering with a painful and twitching finger in his right hand in his 10-9 victory over Luke Woodhouse on Wednesday and Rapid admitted he was throwing his darts even quicker than usual due to the discomfort.
Evans’ new girlfriend is a nurse, but he looks like a lamb to the slaughter against Price if going into battle lacking full fitness. Iceman rates the bet of the night at evens to win by six legs or more, and a 16-5 scoreline is worth a correct-score poke at 16-1.
Want more top sports betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
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Grand Slam of Darts FAQs
When is the Grand Slam of Darts?
The Grand Slam will take place from Saturday, November 8 to November 16.
Where is the Grand Slam of Darts being held?
The event will be held at WV Active Aldersley, Wolverhampton.
Who is the favourite to win the Grand Slam of Darts?
Defending champion Luke Littler started the event as 2-1 favourite to successful defend the title he won 12 months ago.
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