BoyleSports World Grand Prix day three predictions and darts betting tips: Smudger can build on strong first-round display

Where to watch day three of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix

Live on Sky Sports Main Event, from 7pm Wednesday

Best bets

Ross Smith to beat Jonny Clayton
2pts 4-5 BoyleSports, Hills

Nathan Aspinall to beat Ryan Joyce
2pts 4-6 general

BoyleSports World Grand Prix day three predictions

It is now first to three sets in the second round of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, with four matches for punters to embrace including defending champion Luke Humphries against Ricardo Pietreczko.

Jonny Clayton is another former champion in action and he takes on Ross Smith while Luke Littler’s conqueror Rob Cross meets Martin Schindler and 2022 runner-up Nathan Aspinall locks horns with Ryan Joyce.

Jonny Clayton v Ross Smith

Smith produced a breathtaking first-round display as he averaged 101.79 in a 2-0 victory over Gian van Veen and that could spell trouble for 2021 winner Clayton, who suffered a straight-sets defeat when they met in the opening round last year.

Smudger’s opening-round win came with the ninth highest average in World Grand Prix history and his expert treble-hitting should give him the edge on Clayton, who is more prone to wayward darts and can crumble on the double when under pressure.

Nathan Aspinall v Ryan Joyce

Joyce capitalised on a below-par performance from Josh Rock in the opening round, and an 85.93 average was enough to help him on his way to a 2-0 victory.

However, he is going to have to raise his game significantly as Aspinall looked in serious touch in his 2-1 win over Ryan Searle in round one.

The Asp, who was runner-up to Michael van Gerwen two years ago, hit four maximums and averaged 92.92 against Searle, despite a checkout success rate of only six from 21.

Rob Cross v Martin Schindler

Cross overcame his horror World Grand Prix record to upset tournament favourite Luke Littler in round one and Voltage is odds-on to reach his maiden quarter-final in the event at Schindler’s expense.

However, Cross has lost in the opening round in five of his eight World Grand Prix visits, showing his vulnerability over this format, and there is little incentive to back him to follow up given Schindler’s current purple patch.

Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko

Defending champion Humphries survived a  scare in round one against the in-form Stephen Bunting, who won the first five legs and squandered a match dart before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat.

That may only sharpen the focus of the world number one, who is short as 1-6 to get the better of Raymond van Barneveld’s conqueror Pietreczko.

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