PDC Grand Sham of Darts 2018, Nov 10-18

[Randall]

Given durrants draw I think he will make the final if he keeps his nerve.
Nothing in his half he needs fear.
The top half will kill each other and he may have a shot whoever comes out of that carnage.

Not sure about Durrant's bottle when it's coming back at him he could go a long way but I can't see him winning it. He nearly lost a 13 set final this year to a bloke averaging 86 so the long format will probably catch him out. I think he makes the last 8 again but whether he goes further depends how he goes over the longer distance.

In his half the only person I fancy throwing anything decent at him is Dimitri.
The "names" in his section are in horrible form.

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'd still back Wright to beat him again over 31 legs if Wright gets that far which I admit is probably odds against taking into account his awful form since the grand prix.

He is unbackabke at the minute for me.
Wheels have totally fallen off, or rather he has smashed them off.

[dartvader]

Given durrants draw I think he will make the final if he keeps his nerve.
Nothing in his half he needs fear.
The top half will kill each other and he may have a shot whoever comes out of that carnage.

Not sure about Durrant's bottle when it's coming back at him he could go a long way but I can't see him winning it. He nearly lost a 13 set final this year to a bloke averaging 86 so the long format will probably catch him out. I think he makes the last 8 again but whether he goes further depends how he goes over the longer distance.

In his half the only person I fancy throwing anything decent at him is Dimitri.
The "names" in his section are in horrible form.

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'd still back Wright to beat him again over 31 legs if Wright gets that far which I admit is probably odds against taking into account his awful form since the grand prix.

He is unbackabke at the minute for me.
Wheels have totally fallen off, or rather he has smashed them off.

I agree but if he gets as far as the last 8 he'll have had to play some decent stuff to get there and if he's anywhere near his best he's too good for Duzza.

[Randall]

They could play in the second round I think

[The Thorn]

Think the best chance for Durrant might be if he plays Wright in the last 16. For that one of them has to win the group and the other to finish 2nd. You can't know what happens in Durrant's group so tough to guess at this point.

[dartvader]

If they met second round Durrant would have a much better chance it's a big possibility as well that one of them wins their group and the other doesn't.

[The Thorn]

Yeah I'd say it's 50-50 for Duzza to win his group or to finish second. If he gets through, that is. You would expect Wright to top the group as neither of the opponents are too strong, however on this form and the short format, you could see him lose a game.

[Randall]

Durrant couldn't cope with ratty or Smith neale over long distance.
We are perhaps talking him up more than he deserves

[The Thorn]

He is one of the contenders in the bottom half but again, you could name 6-7 players who have a shot at the final there. Wright, Cross and Mensur have been poor recently, but chances suggest at least one of them could play well at the GS. If that happens, I don't see Durrant beating them

[Randall]

He is one of the contenders in the bottom half but again, you could name 6-7 players who have a shot at the final there. Wright, Cross and Mensur have been poor recently, but chances suggest at least one of them could play well at the GS. If that happens, I don't see Durrant beating them

You forgot Dimitri.
His ally pally form would be more than enough to take out durrant.

[The Thorn]

I would say the 4 seeds, Price, Durrant and Dimitri have a real shot at getting to the final. Maybe Bunting at a push.

[Randall]

Price could be a dark horse.
Dimitri always shows up on tv.
Final could be a little bit unbalanced.

[Safc]

I think Mensur in the bottom half very rare u get 3 poor tournaments in a row from him also think Bunting and Hopp both playing well at min Bunting has been a bit unlucky on tv with his draws D web twice and Gary Anderson this year

[Greipel]

We will see Hine's ugly cow at least three times.

[The Thorn]

Agree that Bunting is playing decent, though the final may be a bit of a push as he hasn't had a good TV run for a while. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get to the quarters or semis. Hopp for me is really consistent but if anyone of the others I mentioned turns up against him, I can't see him firing back a big average. Has the mental strength for sure but not sure he has the game to get to a major final if his opponents play well. I would also guess Mensur should play well, got a tough group so we'll see what he's made of.

The final could be one-sided indeed, I expect MVG or Ando to pull their fingers out and one of them to get to the final. You can't discount Wade or Smith though but I can't see either of them beating both MVG and Ando, and that's what they would probably have to do for the final.

[Zeyes]

He is one of the contenders in the bottom half but again, you could name 6-7 players who have a shot at the final there. Wright, Cross and Mensur have been poor recently, but chances suggest at least one of them could play well at the GS. If that happens, I don't see Durrant beating them

Yeah, I agree with that. Plenty of off-form players in the lower half as has been said, but it only takes one to be on enough form to take out Durrant. It's just a crapshoot predicting who that one will be.

That being said, Durrant is kinda due a bad group phase for once. Plenty of better players have blown up in the GSOD prelims, no reason to suggest that he's immune to that.

[The Thorn]

Just realised how much I'm looking forward to this tournament. I know many on here are constantly seething about the Grand Slam in general but always has been my favourite event probably.

Group stage makes it exciting, though a straight knockout is a better format probably but this is more dramatic and unique this way. Looking forward to seeing the BDO players in particular after the Masters.

Top half is really exciting because everyone is good there, bottom half is because everyone is crap. Though the final may be a procession.

*Placeholder for Sennafan to call me a shroom*

[BeppeBergomi]

If I had to make a prediction I'd go for a final between Wade and van Gerwen.

[Safc]

If I had to make a prediction I'd go for a final between Wade and van Gerwen.

Impossible they are in same half

[The Thorn]

If I had to make a prediction I'd go for a final between Wade and van Gerwen.

Don't put money on that mate

[sennafan24]

If I had to make a prediction I'd go for a final between Wade and van Gerwen.

Impossible they are in same half