Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)

• TV Coverage: Sky Sports
• Format: Best of nine legs

Danny Noppert (10/11) v Cameron Menzies (4/5) (B)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 96.57 – 96.38
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.30 – 0.33
• Checkout % (2024): 39.67% – 41.42%

Cameron Menzies was one of my pre-tournament tips to win Group B and he certainly made an impressive start with a 5-2 victory over Martin Schindler, averaging almost 99.

Danny Noppert overcame Beau Greaves by the same scoreline but his performance was more laboured and I feel Menzies, who recently won his maiden PDC title after reducing his hours at work, has more momentum behind him.

Verdict: 3-5

Watch: Ranking the major winners in history

Dave Chisnall (8/11) v Ross Smith (1/1) (D)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 95.42 – 95.70
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.34 – 0.37
• Checkout % (2024): 39.67% – 38.66%

The two highest ranked players in Group D are both in grave danger of early exits after suffering heavy defeats in their opening games and even the winner of this contest will still have plenty of work to do.

Dave Chisnall was thrashed 5-0 by in-form Connor Scutt, who produced an average of 104.38, and although Ross Smith managed to nick a leg off European champion Ritchie Edhouse, his average 83 is another worrying sign that he’s struggling to find his range. He didn’t even hit a single 180.

Nevertheless, with Chizzy struggling with his back, it won’t take much improvement from Smith to make this close and he’ll go into the acca with a handicap start.

Going under 4.5 maximums in the match would ordinarily seem like quite a baffling suggestion given their seasonal 180 per leg rates but something isn’t right for either player right now and I wouldn’t be surprised to see an arduous affair.

Verdict: 3-5

Josh Rock (10/11) v Wessel Nijman (4/5) (H)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 95.85 – 95.34
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.32 – 0.33
• Checkout % (2024): 40.79% – 43.33%

If you’d been told both these players would have averaged 106 in their opening matches, you’d expect them to have two points to their name.

As it turned out, Wessel Nijman was pipped 5-4 by Stephen Bunting while Josh Rock was blown away by a dazzling display from Gian van Veen, who averaged 110.

This is exactly why Group H was earmarked as the Group of Death before the tournament began and this will probably be another cracking tie with the loser wondering how many black cats he’s driven over.

I really can’t call this one as far as the result is concerned but if it’s close then we should see plenty of 180s given their seasonal maximum per leg rates and the form they’re both in right now.

Verdict: 3-5

Martin Schindler (4/11) v Beau Greaves (2/1) (B)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 94.68 – 86.65
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.29 – 0.25
• Checkout % (2024): 41.23% – 37.38%

Beau Greaves may have lost her opening match 5-2 against Danny Noppert but it could have been so much different had she not spurned three darts at a double to square it up at 3-3 in the sixth leg.

The Women’s World Matchplay champion finished up with a creditable average of 92 and if she’s much more clinical than her checkout percentage of 22% in this encounter, then Martin Schindler could be in danger.

The German spurned 10 of his 12 attempts at doubles in a 5-2 defeat to Cameron Menzies and considering he’s often shown fragility on the big stage, the pro Greaves crowd won’t help him out.

Verdict: 4-5

Peter Wright (8/13) v Leonard Gates (6/5) (C)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 92.36 – 87.33
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.23 – 0.18
• Checkout % (2024): 37.34% – 36.93%

Peter Wright’s woeful season took another turn for the worse when he averaged just 85 in a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Martin Lukeman, and I’m not anticipating him to bounce back against Leonard Gates.

The CDC Continental Cup winner will also draw confidence from counterpart Stowe Buntz stunning Snakebite in last year’s Grand Slam but he’ll probably need to play a little better than he did against Rob Cross on Saturday.

Gates averaged almost 88 despite spurning seven of his nine attempts at doubles so if he’s more clinical then Wright is in trouble of another early exit.

Verdict: 3-5

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Ritchie Edhouse (8/13) v Connor Scutt (6/5) (D)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 92.49 – 92.63
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.27 – 0.28
• Checkout % (2024): 39.35% – 37.38%

You can pretty much ignore the seasonal averages from these two players because right now they’re both on fire.

Fresh from shocking the darting world as a 250/1 outsider to win the European Championship, Ritchie Edhouse flew out of the blocks at the Grand Slam with a 5-1 pummelling of Ross Smith in which he averaged 104 while Connor Scutt also equalled those numbers in a 5-0 thrashing of Dave Chisnall.

Since the start of October, Scutt’s all competition average of 96 – which includes 16 Players Championship matches and 15 on the Challenge Tour – puts him 13th in the world in this time frame so although his performance against Chizzy didn’t surprise those who keep their finger on the pulse of non televised darts, it’s encouraging to see him translate that form to the big stage.

I sense a high quality game that could go either way but I’m giving the edge to Scutt.

Verdict: 4-5

Rob Cross (4/9) v Martin Lukeman (13/8) (C)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 95.96 – 93.65
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.24 – 0.18
• Checkout % (2024): 40.47% – 42.35%

Martin Lukeman maintained his fine run of recent form by thrashing Peter Wright 5-0 with an average of 99 so even winning a few legs in defeat against Rob Cross will keep destiny in his own hands.

Lukeman averaged well over 100 in all four of his Grand Slam qualifying matches last week and having beaten Danny Noppert and Gary Anderson at the UK Open earlier this year, he won’t be fazed by facing another major winner on the big stage.

All that said, Cross remains a fair favourite with greater scoring power so any Lukeman backers may opt to do so using the handicap.

Verdict: 5-4

Stephen Bunting (4/6) v Gian van Veen (11/10) (H)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 96.72 – 94.27
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.32 – 0.25
• Checkout % (2024): 41.21% – 41%

Gian van Veen is another outsider on the afternoon card who needs to seriously be considered after producing that stunning 110 average to slay Josh Rock 5-2 on Saturday.

Stephen Bunting, who is one of my outright tips for the title, had to be on top form to defy Wessel Nijman’s 106 average in a 5-4 victory so I’m anticipating another high octane battle with plenty of 180s.

Van Veen managed four last time out, with Bunting weighing in with three so backing six or more maximums at almost 2/1 is well worth a look.

Verdict: 5-3

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

• TV Coverage: Sky Sports
• Format: Best of nine legs

Mickey Mansell (8/13) v Rowby-John Rodriguez (6/5) (A)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 92.33 – 87.59
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.19 – 0.19
• Checkout % (2024): 39.07% – 37.98%

As everyone expected to happen, Mickey Mansell and Rowby-John Rodriguez are playing each other on day two.

As nobody expected to happen, they are playing each other as the day one winners.

Rowby-John Rodriguez produced a dazzling 141 checkout to finish off defending champion Luke Humphries 5-3 in a seismic shock while Mickey Mansell had to average almost 101 to defy James Wade’s 103.

Mansell has been waiting a long time to qualify for his first Grand Slam at the age of 51 and he knows this is a golden opportunity to make the most of it, especially with the daunting challenge of Luke Humphries to come.

However, I just wonder if that will cause a more tense performance from him, whereas Rodriguez could well be more relaxed knowing that the toughest match is behind him with a W.

Verdict: 3-5

Luke Humphries v James Wade (A)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 98.4 – 94.83
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.33 – 0.23
• Checkout % (2024): 41.6% – 42.49%

Verdict will appear here…

Michael Smith v Jermaine Wattimena (E)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 95.27 – 95.20
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.32 – 0.25
• Checkout % (2024): 37.91% – 39.55%

Verdict will appear here…

Mike De Decker v Mensur Suljovic (E)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 95.01 – 90.21
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.36 – 0.18
• Checkout % (2024): 38.95% – 37.5%

Verdict will appear here…

Keane Barry v Lourence Ilagan (F)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 90.18 – 85.12
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.18 – 0.17
• Checkout % (2024): 37.98% – 38.07%

Verdict will appear here…

Luke Littler v Dimitri Van den Bergh (F)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 98.49 – 92.57
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.39 – 0.28
• Checkout % (2024): 40.65% – 35.27%

Verdict will appear here…

Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen (G)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 99.42 – 97.28
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.41 – 0.28
• Checkout % (2024): 40.83% – 40.84%

Verdict will appear here…

Ryan Joyce v Noa-Lynn van Leuven (G)

• Three-Dart Average (2024): 93.78 – 95.34
• 180s per leg (2024): 0.22 – 0.21
• Checkout % (2024): 43.67% – 32.37%

Verdict will appear here…

Grand Slam of Darts: Group Stage results

GROUP STAGE

• Scoring System: Each competitor play each other once in a best-of-nine legs match, with two points going to the winner. The top two from each group will then progress to the knockout stages. Any two-way points tie in any position, the player with best leg difference will finish higher. If two players are still level then the winner of the match between them will progress.
• There is the potential for a Nine-Dart Shoot-Out should three or more players be tied for points and leg difference. For more details see the format section further down.

Group A

• Luke Humphries (1) P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Mickey Mansell P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +2 PTS 2
• James Wade P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -2 PTS 0
• Rowby-John Rodriguez P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0

Results

• James Wade 3-5 Mickey Mansell
• Luke Humphries v Rowby-John Rodriguez

Group B

• (8) Danny Noppert P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +3 PTS 2
• Cameron Menzies P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +3 PTS 2
• Martin Schindler P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 PTS 0
• Beau Greaves P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 PTS 0

Results

• Danny Noppert 5-2 Beau Greaves
• Martin Schindler 2-5 Cameron Menzies

Group C

• Martin Lukeman P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 PTS 2
• (4) Rob Cross P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +3 PTS 2
• Leonard Gates P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 PTS 0
• Peter Wright P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 PTS 0

Fixtures & Results

• Rob Cross 5-2 Leonard Gates
• Peter Wright 0-5 Martin Lukeman

Group D

• Connor Scutt P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +5 PTS 2
• Ritchie Edhouse P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +4 PTS 2
• Ross Smith P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -4 PTS 0
• (5) Dave Chisnall P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -5 PTS 0

Fixtures & Results

• Ross Smith 1-5 Ritchie Edhouse
• Dave Chisnall 0-5 Connor Scutt

Group E

• (2) Michael Smith P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Mike De Decker P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Jermaine Wattimena P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Mensur Suljovic P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0

Fixtures & Results

• Michael Smith v Mensur Suljovic
• Mike De Decker v Jermaine Wattimena

Group F

• (7) Dimitri Van den Bergh P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +4 PTS 2
• Luke Littler P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Keane Barry P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Lourence Ilagan P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -4 PTS 0

Fixtures & Results

• Dimitri Van den Bergh 5-1 Lourence Ilagan
• Luke Littler v Keane Barry

Group G

• (3) Michael van Gerwen P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0
• Gary Anderson P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +4 PTS 2
• Ryan Joyce P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -4 PTS 0
• Noa-Lynn van Leuven P 0 W 0 L 0 LegDiff +0 PTS 0

Fixtures & Results

• Michael van Gerwen v Noa-Lynn van Leuven
• Gary Anderson 5-1 Ryan Joyce

Group H

• Gian van Veen P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +3 PTS 2
• (6) Stephen Bunting P 1 W 1 L 0 LegDiff +1 PTS 2
• Wessel Nijman P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -1 PTS 0
• Josh Rock P 1 W 0 L 1 LegDiff -3 PTS 0

Fixtures & Results

• Stephen Bunting 5-4 Wessel Nijman
• Josh Rock 2-5 Gian van Veen

Grand Slam of Darts: Knockout Stage draw

LAST 16 (Nov 13-14)

• Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B
• Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A
• Winner Group C v Runner-Up Group D
• Winner Group D v Runner-Up Group C
• Winner Group E v Runner-Up Group F
• Winner Group F v Runner-Up Group E
• Winner Group G v Runner-Up Group H
• Winner Group H v Runner-Up Group G

QUARTER-FINALS (Nov 15-16)

• W Grp A/RU Group B v W Grp B/RU Group A (QF 1)
• W Grp C/RU Group D v W Grp D/RU Group C (QF 2)
• W Grp E/RU Group F v W Grp F/RU Group E (QF 3)
• W Grp G/RU Group H v W Grp H/RU Group G (QF 4)

SEMI-FINALS (Nov 17)

• Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
• Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4

FINAL (Nov 17)

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

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