Mardle on Van Gerwen's status as World Championship favourite after World Grand Prix win: "He's got to be careful of his expectations"

Wayne Mardle believes that Michael van Gerwen is the rightful favourite for the PDC World Darts Championship at the turn of the year but does have to temper his expectations.

This after sealing a trio of major titles but the big one is still barren from his locker since 2019 and Mardle believes he will have extra pressure now to deliver.

"He's already favourite for the World Championship," claimed Mardle to Sky Sports. "I think there's a funny dynamic happening… when he was winning everything, going into the World Championship he actually saw it was his to lose, not to win.

"I wonder if he's feeling that way again and putting pressure, extra pressure on himself to win it? He hasn't won it since 2019, that's a long time for Michael van Gerwen to go without a world title.

"He may feel that the pressure is building after winning the Premier League, the Matchplay, this. Maybe he's going to win the Grand Slam, the Players, European Championship… just list them all!! Who knows!?

"Then, going into the Worlds, if he feels that this is mine to lose that's so much pressure. He's got to be careful of his expectations."