Introduction
This Grand Slam of Darts preview dives deep into each group, offering expert predictions on who will advance. We highlight intriguing matchups like Luke Littler vs. Beau Greaves, the rise of dark horses such as Kevin Doets and Niels Zonneveld, and the challenges faced by established stars like Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen. Expect intense battles, potential upsets, and a thrilling tournament as players vie for glory, with current form and big-stage experience often tipping the scales.
Group A: Littler, Greaves, Zonneveld
This group instantly grabs attention with the highly anticipated clash between Luke Littler and Beau Greaves, a rematch from last year’s World Youth Championship where Greaves emerged victorious. However, don’t overlook Niels Zonneveld, who is in the form of his life, recently securing his first PDC title. Despite his recent struggles in major tournaments, I still back Luke Littler to progress, though not as dominantly as usual. The short format of these group games means any lapse in focus will be swiftly punished. Between Zonneveld and Greaves, I believe Greaves’ top game is superior, but Zonneveld is the more consistent player. If both play their absolute best, Beau wins, but in a scrappier contest, I favor Zonneveld.
Group B: Wattimena, Soutar, Ashton
My heart might lean towards ‘Soots’ (Alan Soutar), but my head firmly points to Jermaine Wattimena. He’s been in great form for nearly two years, consistently performing well on the biggest stages. If anyone can stop him, it’s Alan Soutar, known for causing shocks and defeating giants, but I don’t see it happening here. As for Lisa Ashton, she’s undoubtedly a legend in women’s darts and one of the most consistent players on that tour, yet I don’t believe she possesses the necessary firepower to challenge Wattimena or Soutar effectively.
Group C: Rock, Doets, Morris
This is truly a ‘Group of Death’. Josh Rock, on his best day, can overpower anyone with his scoring, but his inconsistency this year makes me lean towards Kevin Doets, who is currently playing the darts of his life. Tommy Morris played incredibly well, particularly in the last two Pro-Tour events, even winning one to secure his spot. If he maintains that level, he has a strong chance, but he remains unproven on the biggest stages, making it hard to fully back him based on a single, albeit amazing, win.
Group D: Bunting, Menzies, Smith
Another incredibly tough group to call. Stephen Bunting, the likely favorite, much like Josh Rock, has had an inconsistent year. However, a strong performance at the recent European Championships where he played exceptionally well could be the boost he needed. Cameron Menzies is a predictor’s nightmare; he can either dominate his group or have a terrible outing. Raymond Smith will be riding high after winning the ANZ Premier League title. From what I’ve seen this year, especially in the World Series, his timely finishing is top-tier, but he’ll need to bring his best scoring game to keep up with the heavy hitters in this group.
Group E: Price, Bialecki, Hunt
Some might see this as an easy group for Gerwyn Price, but it would be foolish to dismiss Sebastian Bialecki, who has shown great form this year. If Price isn’t at his best, the Pole will certainly capitalize. That said, if Price performs as he has in other major tournaments this year, he should progress quite comfortably. Joe Hunt is undoubtedly a quality player not to be underestimated, but I don’t fancy his chances against either of his opponents here.
Group F: Searle, Gilding, Manby
Possibly the toughest group to predict. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these players advance. Ryan Searle and Andrew Gilding are seasoned big-stage players. I believe Searle, if he brings his top scoring game, will simply have too much for both Gilding and Manby. However, if he struggles, he’ll be vulnerable. Andrew Gilding is a great finisher, and Manby will be full of confidence after winning his first Pro-Tour title, having also proven himself on the big stage at the Ally Pally.
Group G: Clayton, Cross, Ostlund
With all due respect to Anton Ostlund, I view this as a two-horse race between Jonny Clayton and Rob Cross, both of whom are among the best finishers in the world. Either has a strong chance, but if forced to choose, I favor Clayton due to his recent consistency, especially in scoring. However, neither can afford to miss their doubles, or the other will pounce.
Group H: Springer, Nijman, Sevada
Another challenging group emerges. I feel this group’s outcome hinges entirely on which version of Niko Springer appears; his ‘A game’ is truly elite. He thrives as an underdog, which he will be against Nijman. Despite Nijman not yet having a big TV run, he’s been playing exceptionally well, hoovering up titles recently, suggesting a breakthrough is imminent. As for Adam Sevada, he’s a quality player, arguably the best the USA currently offers, and could certainly beat Nijman or Springer if they’re off their game. However, I don’t believe his top game can consistently rival theirs.
Group I: Humphries, Cullen, Nebrida
A few years ago, I’d struggle to choose between Luke Humphries and Joe Cullen. However, despite playing well in qualifiers, Cullen has struggled for the better part of two years. Paolo Nebrida could be a ‘banana skin’ (potential upset), particularly for Cullen, which makes me less confident in his chances. If Luke Humphries performs as expected, I believe he’ll progress quite comfortably.
Group J: Woodhouse, Ratajski, Sykes
Again, these groups are tough to call. Both Luke Woodhouse and Krzysztof Ratajski are in great form, having won on the Euro Tour and defeated Luke Littler in recent major TV tournaments. Primarily due to his tendency to deliver when tipped, I’m slightly inclined to favor Ratajski for his sheer consistency, though Woodhouse’s top scoring game is arguably superior. As for Tom Sykes, he’s been in excellent form, notably reaching a semi-final on his Euro-Tour debut a few months ago, but he’s undoubtedly the junior partner in this trio.
Group K: Wade, Evans, Crabtree
Although I favor James Wade here, it won’t be easy. Ricky Evans often comes alive on the big stage, and Cam Crabtree is in great form, having defeated Luke Littler in the World Youth Championships. However, Evans is under significant pressure to perform well to improve his chances of qualifying for the World Championships, and Wade is precisely the man to exploit such pressure.
Group L: MVG, de Graaf, Coates
This group, I feel, is all about Michael van Gerwen (MVG). If he plays near his best, he wins. But so often this year, he hasn’t been at his peak, and he now faces the added pressure of desperately needing ranking money to maintain his spot in the world’s top 16. I still favor him to get through, but Jeffrey de Graaf is a steady player who will capitalize on every slip, and Henry Coates is enjoying the darting life of his career after storming to victory on the Pro-Tour a few months ago.
Group M: van Veen, Brooks
If anyone can trouble Gian van Veen in this group, it would be Brooks. Despite having a somewhat challenging year, his ‘A game’ can defeat the best. However, he simply doesn’t produce it consistently enough for me to back him here, despite van Veen’s own fluctuating form.
Group N: Dobey, Schindler, Schmidt
If you had shown me this group a few months ago, I’d say Chris Dobey would comfortably win it. However, Martin Schindler’s recent run to the European Championship final, where he played the darts of his life seemingly out of nowhere, has revitalized his career after a tough year. Despite his struggles on stage this year, I still favor Dobey due to his consistency and strong floor performances, but Schindler certainly has a chance. Jan Schmidt, despite a great run to the World Youth Championship final, will be the outsider but could potentially snatch a win against an underperforming Schindler, jeopardizing his chances.
Group O: Ross Smith, Clemens, Rodriguez
This group is all about Ross Smith. After claiming two major titles already this year, his confidence will be at an all-time high; if he performs, he wins. Despite Gabriel Clemens winning his first Pro-Tour title this year, it felt like a sudden surge after a couple of challenging years. Rusty-Jake Rodriguez has struggled on tour recently, with his run through the qualifiers being his best performance in a while, apart from playing quite well at the World Cup.
Group P: Kuivenhoven, Sedlacek, Aspinall
This is another two-horse race between in-form players. While Maik Kuivenhoven is a quality player, he might need others not to play their best. Similarly, I feel Karel Sedlacek relies on this against Nathan Aspinall, whose power scoring, in my view, will simply be too much, especially in such a short format.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
