Masters Darts 2022 Odds: Betting preview for the Milton Keynes blockbuster

Ahead of the Masters, which kicks off this weekend in Milton Keynes, @tomsportsjourno is on-hand to provide the lowdown ahead of the action, with his best bets on offer. 

Following the World Championship, there’ll be a number of names who’d like to kick off the year with a strong run in the year’s first televised event, and perhaps we’ll even see a new first-time winner on TV. 

In this very event, just twelve months ago it was Jonny Clayton who picked up his first televised title, taking advantage of the PDC’s change in qualification criteria, with 24 players involved rather than the top 16 as in previous years. 

Consequently, Clayton went on to pick up four televised title wins with successes at the World Cup of Darts along with Gerwyn Price, the World Grand Prix and the Grand Slam of Darts. With it being the first televised event of the year, it offers a level of opportunity and a springboard for success.

The Favourites

Surprisingly, the former world no.1 and three-time world champ, Michael van Gerwen enters the event as the favourite to lift the title (4/1). After a barren twelve months by the Dutchman’s high standards, Van Gerwen will be looking to kick off 2022 with another televised title to his tally. 

The Dutchman was forced to withdraw from the World Championship back in December after receiving a positive Covid-19 test. 

Joining Van Gerwen is the newly-crowned world champion, Peter Wright (5/1) who picked up his second world championship title on January 3 after overcoming Michael Smith in a high-quality showdown at Alexandra Palace. 

Coming in as third and fourth favourite respectively are the Welsh pairing of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton. Both players produced some remarkable performances at the World Championship but were ousted by the prowess of Michael Smith, who went on to reach the final. Incidentally, Price produced perfection in defeat to Smith, firing in a nine-dart leg in their quarter-final clash. Can Clayton successfully defend his crown as Price did with the Grand Slam of Darts a few years ago?

Dark Horses

As aforementioned, ‘Bully Boy’ Michael Smith (9/1) had a sensational World Championship campaign, reaching the final with several five-star displays and whilst the wait continues for Smith in terms of picking up his first major televised title, could now be his time?

Another player on the up is Devon’s Ryan Searle (33/1). Up to 16th in the world rankings and looking better and better after each event, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Searle go on a deep run at the Masters. 

If you’re looking for value, then look no further than ‘The Rockstar’ Joe Cullen. A player who’s really produced some stellar stuff in recent times. Cullen has always got a big performance in him and at 40/1, it’s not to be sniffed at.