Darts Betting Tips: The Machine Gun features in boosted Day 8 double

Saturday's action at the Grand Slam of Darts sees Luke Littler in action against Jermaine Wattimena, while Gian Van Veen takes on Gary Anderson.

Betfred Insights' Darts expert, Sean Rafferty, is back with his darts betting tips for Saturday's Grand Slam action and is confident of another winner, after a red-hot week thus far. 

Grand Slam of Darts Odds

Jermaine Wattimena highest checkout over 120.5 @ 5/6

Wattimena had to complete a comeback to get over the line against Van den Bergh, he rode his luck as he survived eight match darts in total from the Belgian, before eventually winning the deciding leg to win 10-9.

The pace of that match was a lot slower and more of a challenge for Jermaine, whereas this match will be played at a swift pace and will likely suit him a lot more.

Littler should just be a step too far though for the Dutchman, who continues to play at a ridiculously good standard this week. He came back from the brink of defeat against Mike De Decker, recovering from 8-4 down, despite De Decker still averaging 101 in the second half of that match.

It was by no means a collapse from the Belgian, Littler just played darts from out of this world towards the back end of the contest. The Nuke averaged 107 from legs 11-19, so really upped it when it mattered most.

They’ve met two times previously this year, Littler winning both of them comfortably. He’s very short at 1/6 and even the handicaps are a bit tight so instead I’m going to opt for something completely different. Wattimena has been popping the big checkouts this week - 160, 148 and 126 have been among his highest checkouts in matches this week.

Obviously these were a lot shorter format matches, he’ll get many more opportunities in a best of 31 legs match, regardless of the high calibre of opponent. 121+ checkout seems realistic for the Machine Gun as he looks likely on them when he’s in a nice flow with his throw.

Gian Van Veen +2.5 legs handicap @ 8/13

Another day, another overly generous price in favour of Gian Van Veen. He’s been priced up as second favourite for this one at 6/5, perhaps not a surprise given the vast experience Anderson has over the young Dutchman but personally I’d have Gian as favourite.

He continues to produce a ridiculously good level this week in Wolverhampton, as he smashed Ryan Joyce 10-2 with a 106.45 average, seven 180s and 59 per cent on doubles. He absolutely lit up the group stages and followed it up in style, his tournament average still stands at an astounding 108.

If he keeps this level up then I couldn’t see him being beaten by anyone to the title. Realistically he won’t stay at 108 average the rest of the week, but if he can stay remotely close to it then he’ll be really tough to beat over this distance.

Anderson has finally taken some of his scintillating Pro Tour form onto the big stage, to the relief of myself and many others as a big Gary Anderson fan. His tournament average sits at an impressive 102, so he too is consistently producing a good level. It should be a cracking match with both players average 100+ being a realistic possibility. Age can play a factor in these long format matches, so that may be a slight advantage for GVV.

He’s openly admitted in interviews that Gary is his hero, hopefully this doesn’t hinder him on the night and he’ll concentrate on his own game and not the occasion as a whole.

Anderson has let decent chances for another major title slip away in recent times, sadly for him I think this will be another one. Van Veen doesn’t look like letting up and I reckon he’ll just have too much, 6/5 is a great price but I’ll go safe with +2.5 legs at 8/13.

After two defeats previously, it’s third time lucky for GVV against The Flying Scotsman.

Darts Odds

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