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The final that the sporting world wanted to see has been set and this year’s World Darts Championships is set to end in style, as world number 4 Michael Smith takes on the world number 3 Michael van Gerwen. Smith is looking to win his first world title whereas van Gerwen will be gunning for his fourth. In what could be a classic encounter, it’s van Gerwen who will start as the favourite at 1/3 with Smith priced at 5/2.
Odds correct from Ladbrokes at the time of writing.
Contents
Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen – important information
- Final, 2023 PDC World Darts Championship
- 3rd January, approx. 20:15 GMT
- Alexandra Palace, London
Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen: Prediction and Betting Tips
Both Smith and van Gerwen were expected to advance to this year’s final after being paired against Gabriel Clemens and Dimitri Van den Bergh in their respective semi-finals, but both were hugely impressive as they booked their spots in this year’s showpiece.
It was Smith who kicked off the semi-final action and after heading into the break locked at 2-2, Smith then showed all of his class, rattling off four quick sets to beat Clemens 6-2.
With Smith waiting in the final, van Gerwen would have wanted to lay down a marker – and boy did he ever. MVG put in one of the best performances of his career, swatting away the talented Van Den Bergh 6-0. On his way to victory, van Gerwen posted nine 180s and finished with an average of 108.
Michael Smith to win
Smith and van Gerwen have looked to be on a collision course to this year’s final right from the start of the tournament – and true to form neither has disappointed. Van Gerwen rightly starts as the favourite but at three times the price and considering the level of darts he is playing, Smith has to be the value play here
Michael Smith to win World Darts Championship @5/2
Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen: Head To Head
Smith and van Gerwen have met on a staggering 34 occasions with van Gerwen leading 24-10.
In 2022 the two met eight times with van Gerwen winning five matches and Smith three. Interestingly, Smith has won the last three matches between the pair.
The two played in the 2019 World Final with MVG winning the match 7-3.
Michael Smith: Performance Analysis
For the second time in twelve months, Michael Smith will compete in the final of a Darts World Championship.
Smith has been riding the crest of a wave in recent months following his first Major breakthrough which came at this year’s Grand Slam of Darts.
In a tricky semi-final against Gabriel Clemens, Smith showed all of the signs of a champion in waiting. Staying calm at 2-2, Smith immediately ramped up his quality and blew his German opponent away, ending up winning convincingly 6-2. Smith averaged 101 and finished with a checkout percentage of 42.
If he is to win his first World Championship, more of the same will be needed today.
Michael van Gerwen: Performance Analysis
Michael van Gerwen is looking to top what was a fantastic 2022 with his fourth World Championship. Van Gerwen has been in truly scintillating form and warmed up for this year’s tournament with a victory in the Players Championship.
To reach this stage van Gerwen has lost just three sets and has won his quarter and semi-final with a combined score of 11-0. Against Van den Bergh, he was utterly ruthless. Punishing all of the Belgian’s errors with one of the best averages that this tournament has ever seen. This match looks set to be a classic but it’s van Gerwen who will start as the man to beat.
Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen: Live Stream & Watch on TV
The match can be viewed in a variety of ways
- UK residents can view via Sky TV / NOW TV
- US / Canadian viewers can view via DAZN
- Australian viewers can view via Foxtel
- Across the world – live streaming is available via PDC TV and Bet365 (Accounts required)
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