Schedule Thursday night at World Grand Prix 2024 including Gary Anderson & Gerwyn Price vs James Wade

Thursday night the four final matches from the second round of the World Grand Prix will be played. Following Ryan Joyce, Rob Cross, Luke Humphries and Jonny Clayton, who will report to the last eight of this double-in double-out tournament? Read our preview here.

This tournament is a unique event on the PDC calendar. The World Grand Prix is the only tournament where the legs are started and ended with a double. Because of this format, the World Grand Prix is known for its surprises, with often early eliminations of big names.

Mike de Decker recorded a very important victory in his career on Tuesday night. He defeated Damon Heta 2-1 in sets after a thriller and for 'The Real Deal' that was his first victory over a world top player on a big stage. Because De Decker was able to play many Euro Tour tournaments this year, he has a lot more stage experience behind him. After already experiencing his breakthrough earlier this year with a first Pro Tour title, De Decker can reach a milestone in Leicester by reaching his first TV quarterfinal.

However, the Belgian dart player will have to deal with Gary Anderson and that will certainly not be an easy task. In terms of form, Anderson is the big favourite to advance to the second round at the World Grand Prix. The two-time world champion sprinkles with incredibly high averages on the Pro Tour and has already been successful twice this year on the Players Championship circuit. In the first round, Anderson faced his former pupil Michael Smith. The Scot survived a set deficit and two missed match darts by Smith to make it to the last sixteen at the expense of "Bullyboy".

Moreover, to reach the quarterfinals, Decker must do something he has never done in his career; win a match from Anderson. 'The Flying Scotsman' is leading 3-0 in the head-to-head.

Gerwyn Price seemed headed for a straight sets victory in his match against Danny Noppert but ultimately needed to show a lot of fight to make it to the second round. After a 3-1, 2-0 lead, Price still lost the second set and found himself down 0-2 in the third set. Nevertheless, 'The Iceman' outsmarted his Dutch opponent.

On paper though, this tournament is actually tailor-made for James Wade. Hitting the doubles is his speciality. In the first round against Peter Wright (2-1 win) Wade managed to open the leg with his first dart in 58 percent of the legs. Normally Wade can also link a rock-solid finishing percentage to that, but this time it was somewhat disappointing with 36 percent. If Wade manages to hit the double quickly at the beginning and end of the legs, he could just floor Price.

It is the 31st time Price and Wade have faced each other at a PDC tournament. Sixteen times Wade has won, while Price has won 13 times. Once was a draw in Premier League Darts.

Where many here expected a duel between Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey, the first round went completely different. Gurney treated Michael van Gerwen to an unadulterated whitewash, while 'The Rockstar' regained his old form out of nowhere, edging Chris Dobey 2-1 in sets.

Moreover, the play of both men was also very impressive. Gurney had an average of 93, a finishing percentage of 67 percent and managed to hit the opening double with his first arrow in 50 percent of the legs. Cullen's average was also 93, only the former Masters winner performed a lot less on the doubles. The Englishman had a finishing percentage of 37 percent, and managed to find the opening double with his first arrow in only 27 percent of the legs.  

Cullen has a remarkably good record against his upcoming Northern Irish opponent. 'The Rockstar' leads 17-16, and managed to win six of the last eight duels between them. However, their last showdown in 2024 was won by Gurney.

Chisnall had a super month in September. Two titles, another final, two semifinals and two quarterfinals made the money flow in for 'Chizzy' last month. The two-time finalist at the World Grand Prix then also got off to a good start at this tournament. 'Chizzy' didn't even concede a leg in his opening match against Cameron Menzies, who walked away disillusioned. 

A sublime finish took Dimitri van den Bergh to the last sixteen of the double-in double-out tournament. His first round match against Luke Woodhouse was one of tremendous skill. In the deciding set, 'The Dreammaker' was alert when Woodhouse missed two chances to keep his leg. Van den Bergh had the chance from 132 to force a break and via the bullseye he grabbed that gift with both hands.

In the mutual balance, Chisnall has a nice lead over his Belgian opponent. Of the previous 14 encounters, nine were won by the Englishman. However, the most recent encounter in August was won by Van den Bergh.

In the U.K, the tournament is broadcast on Sky Sports. On Oct. 7 and 8, broadcasts begin at 6 p.m.. The start times advance to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9, 10 and 11. On Saturday, Oct. 12, the semi-finals begin at 7:30 p.m. and the finals on Sunday, Oct. 13, start from 8:00 p.m.

All participating players are guaranteed £7500 in starting money. Second-round losers receive £15,000. The quarter-finalists go home with at least £25,000, the semi-finalists almost one and a half times as much (£40,000). The losing finalist receives a check for £60,000 and the winner receives the grand prize of £120,000.

First round: Best of 3 sets

Second round: Best of 5 sets

Quarterfinals: Best of 5 sets

Semifinals: Best of 9 sets

Final: Best of 11 sets

Gary Anderson v Mike De Decker

Gerwyn Price v James Wade

Daryl Gurney v Joe Cullen

Dave Chisnall v Dimitri Van den Bergh