Having started this season yet to win his first major title, Luke Humphries has now collected three in the space of just seven weeks with victories at the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts and n the Players Championship Finals last week.

‘Cool Hand Luke’ quite rightly enters the PDC World Championships as the favourite given he’s simply the best player on the planet at the moment. Humphries has credited his recent success to an improved temperament on the big stage, and it’s evident that his composure and ability to cope with pressurised situations has dramatically improved during the season. The numbers that the world no. 3 has been putting up this term are nothing short of extraordinary, especially with his maximum scoring – where he’s hit an incredible 634, ranking second on tour with Dutch prospect Gian van Veen the only player to hit more.

Humphries is also averaging an impressive 98.22 and it’s difficult to see a reason why he won’t better his quarter-final appearances on this stage from 2019, 2020 and 2022. The only negative for Cool Hand is a potential burnout with an accumulation of matches taking its toll in what has been a very busy and hectic schedule, a product of his own success, but he’s taken to claim a maiden World Championship here.

The best alternative to Luke Humphries is surely Michael van Gerwen, and it would be no surprise to see those two meet in the semi-finals having been drawn in the same half of the draw.

‘MVG’ was widely tipped to replace Phil Taylor as the dominant force in the sport having claimed the first of his three World Championship titles back in 2014, however, that hasn’t quite materialised, not because van Gerwen doesn’t have the talent, but because the standard and professionalism of the players around him have improved significantly in recent years.

However, the ‘Green Machine’ has won everything there is to win and he continues to collect titles every year, with this season no exception. The world no. 2 has amassed a haul of nine trophies this campaign which includes the Premier League, while also reaching another six finals including the recent Players Championship where he had the upper hand over Humphries for the majority of the game before eventually going on to lose.

Van Gerwen’s average this season is close to a ton (98.58) which is only bettered by an inspired Gary Anderson who is enjoying a real Indian summer this term. During the Players Championship, MVG racked up a staggering average of 118.52 against Ross Smith which is a clear indication of where his game is at right now and he’s primed to go well this year.

Rob Cross capped a phenomenal year in 2018 by winning the PDC World Championship on debut, beating 16-time world champion Phil Taylor 7-2 in the final. What made that win even more remarkable was the fact that the Kent-based thrower only turned professional just 11 months prior to that victory.

Since that triumph, ‘Voltage’ has never made it past the fourth round at Ally Pally which is something of a puzzle given his talent, and he has certainly struggled with form and confidence in various periods of his short career in the game.

However, in recent interviews, it’s apparent that Cross has a renewed belief in his game, citing improvement in his finishing in particular while also referencing his ability to score more consistently. That’s certainly shown as the world no. 8 has enjoyed a productive year on tour having collected four titles, which include the European Darts Grand Prix and the New Zealand Darts Masters.

The statistics really tell the story of how well Cross is playing this season as he ranks 5th for averages (96.47) 11th for checkout percentage (41.55%) and 20th for 180s. Voltage will also be happy with his quarter of the draw as he’ll be alongside Jonny Clayton, José de Sousa and Michael Smith, all of whom are out of form. With Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen aside, Cross appeal the most of the rest.

The first of the outsider selections at higher odds is James Wade.

‘The Machine’ has won just about everything there is to win in the game of darts, however, despite reaching the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship on four occasions, this is a title that has eluded him in what has otherwise been a glittering career.

By his own admission, Wade has again endured a difficult period away from the oche in the last 18 months but has been positive about his journey back to being one of darts elite players. The world no. 13 should be buoyed by his recent form having reached the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts, beating the talented Josh Rock before losing to the unplayable Luke Humphries.

Wade has also reached the final of the European Championship this campaign and had a decent showing in the Players Championship Finals last week, and there is every reason to believe he’s approaching something like his best once again.

While he’s never been the most prolific 180 scorer during his career, Wade is the best in the business at racking up the 140s and he can certainly keep pace with the big-hitters. It’s on the outer ring where The Machine can really impose himself, ranking 2nd this season on checkout percentage (43.69%) and he has a tenacious ability to win the crucial legs against the odds. Wade’s certainly not without a chance and could be the surprise package this year.

The second of the selections at a higher price comes in the shape of Dave Chisnall.

‘Chizzy’ really burst onto the scene back in 2012, famously knocking out Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in the second round at Ally Pally. The world no. 11 has enjoyed some success here down the years having reached the quarter-finals in both 2017 and 2019 and then going one step further to appear in the semi-final just a few years ago in 2021. While he’s flattered to deceive in the majors this season, the Morecambe thrower has enjoyed an otherwise fruitful campaign, reaching nine PDC Tour event finals and claiming five titles with only Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith winning more.

That haul includes wins at the Dutch Darts Championship, the Baltic Sea Darts Open and the Hungarian Darts Trophy and he’s primed to go far here. Chisnall is throwing very well at the moment, something which is reflected by his season average of 96.27, ranking 6th on tour in that metric. He’s also one of the most prolific 180 scorers, and he certainly has the scoring power to trouble anyone. However, it’s been his doubles that have probably prevented him from winning more career titles, but if he’s onsong in that aspect of his game then it’s not inconceivable that Chizzy makes a sustained challenge and he’s fancied to go deep.

If there is ever an outsider to chuck a dart at this year, it’s Ross Smith, especially at really generous odds.

‘Smudger’ is currently enjoying one of his best seasons on the PDC Tour and has collected two titles in the process, both of which came at the Players Championships in March and October and the Dover player currently has a career high win percentage of 65.52%. The statistics make a mockery of his current price to win the tournament as Smith ranks 7th in the averages this campaign with an impressive 96.26.

He’s also been relentless on the 180 scoring, having thrown an eye-watering 532 maximums so far in 2023. While he could do with some improvement on the outer ring (ranking 15th for checkout percentage), the world no. 16 has managed to hit the big fish during the season with a 170 checkout, and if his doubling clicks into gear there is no doubt this heavy-scorer can make a serious impression.

Smith has been unfortunate not to progress beyond the 3rd round of the World Championship having fallen at this stage in the last two consecutive years, losing 4-3 on both occasions to Dirk van Duijvenbode in a couple of absolute classics. However, there is every chance Smudger puts it all together here, and having consistently got better on this stage over the past few years, he’s taken each-way at a price which simply can’t be turned down this year.