"He's got a couple of tricky players in his group" - Luke Humphries warned of Grand Slam of Darts group stage dangers by Matthew Edgar

This weekend in Wolverhampton, the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts gets underway. Defending champion at the prestigious event is the world number one and world champion, Luke Humphries. According to former PDC Tour Card holder turned expert analyst Matthew Edgar, it's hard to see past 'Cool Hand Luke' once again.

Humphries, who sealed victory against Rob Cross with a commanding 16-8 final, displayed an impressive average of nearly 105, along with eight 180s and a high checkout of 144. Humphries showcased his best, leading 7-2 after an intense 144 checkout. Cross fought back but ultimately couldn’t match Humphries’ momentum, as the eventual champion continued a dominant run that saw him close out the match with a 91 checkout.

"Luke Humphries is the favourite again," begins Edgar's analysis of the defending champion ahead of the 2024 edition of the Grand Slam of Darts for OLBG. "He's 3/1 at the moment and I'm sure he will be the favourite come the off. He's the one who's got the most consistent form, the most reliable form. But the one thing I'd be a little bit nervous about, is just those short format group stages."

In the group stage, Humphries has been paired with James Wade, Mickey Mansell and Rowby-John Rodriguez. "He's only got to get in the top two of the four players in the group," Edgar notes. "But in a race to five, he's got a couple of tricky players in his group as well, that maybe things could just get a little bit edgy and a little bit nervy. Because the shorter the format, the less likely that that form is going to be coming into play because first to five, anyone can win."

For Humphries, the tournament gets underway on Saturday evening. In his first group stage game, the world champion faces off against one of the men he beat in the final of the 2024 World Cup of Darts, Austria's Rowby-John Rodriguez.