PDC World Championship odds: Treble winner, back-to-back success, or a four-time world champion?
The PDC World Championship is just around the corner and the world’s greatest players are set to again compete for darts’ biggest prize.
Many narratives could unfold based on who wins this year’s competition. There could be a player who wins their third major title in less than a year, we could see last year’s champion defend their honour, or we could see a true great of the game win the tournament for the fourth time.
The PDC World Championship odds offer a strong idea of which of these narratives are most likely to present themselves come the turn of the year.
Luke Humphries is the outright favourite
The outright favourite to win the PDC World Championship this year is Luke Humphries. He has had a remarkable few months having secured his first major in the World Grand Prix before quickly following it up with a victory at the Grand Slam of Darts.
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 19, 2023
Humphries has a level of form and momentum behind him that nobody can rival at present. In a darts bet on the upcoming competition, he is offered as the 7/2 outright favourite to become the world champion. World Darts betting suggests Michael van Gerwen is the most likely to claim victory at his expense, offered at 9/2.
Humphries could secure a short-term treble of major victories with a victory at Alexandra Palace over the new year, but the Dutchman could also secure a legacy-defining moment if he were to triumph.
Van Gerwen has a chance to become a four-time champion
Van Gerwen went into 2023 with a remarkable 45 titles already to his name. This year he has increased that tally to 47 after winning the Premier League and the World Series of Darts Finals.
There could still be an impressive feat which relates to becoming a four-time world champion within his sights. He has previously won the PDC World Championship in 2014, 2017 and 2019 and he is one of the most fancied picks to win the 2023/2024 tournament.
Phil Taylor is the record World Championship winner, and his 14-trophy haul will surely never be caught by the Dutchman. Nevertheless, the Dutchman could extend his personal record and strengthen his legacy as one of the greatest players that Darts has ever seen.
Michael Smith to go back-to-back?
Michael Smith of course has the experience of having won the most recent edition of the competition. However, despite this, he is not quite tipped for success to the level of Humphries and Van Gerwen.
Smith is offered at 8/1 to become the world champion for the second straight year. His overall 2023 form has not been very impressive, he lost in the early rounds of all of the major events, besides a semi-final finish at the World Grand Prix.
Michael Smith is the 2023 PDC World Darts Champion after a brilliant 7-4 win over Michael van Gerwen in the final #darts #DartsWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/Azfhk3oUVs
— Darts Behind The Oche (@DartsBehindThe) January 3, 2023
Some players use landmark victories as a platform to go on to achieve more within the sport. However, in Smith’s case, it seems his world title success was a huge peak that he may not be able to return to.
All three of these players have different factors and levels of experience that play in their favour. Whoever wins the World Championship will undoubtedly create exciting headlines.
This trio all have interesting narratives they could write, while a surprise underdog winner could perhaps be even more thrilling.
Humphries has a slight lead in the early betting markets, but anything could happen at the biggest event on the darts calendar.
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