PDC World Darts Championship final: Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen betting tips, predictions, odds, statistics, H2H record & Sky Sports TV start time

He's now averaged over 100 in 12 of his last 16 matches since losing to Chris Dobey at the European Championship back in October and is overall average in that run is well over 103.

As for Michael Smith, well he's managed a couple of 100+ averages against Joe Cullen and Gabriel Clemens thanks to finding his breathtaking 180 range in both contests and he's got to be at that level again tonight. If he has the kind of lapses he suffered against Martin Schindler and Stephen Bunting then it could be another final to forget.

ALSO READ: PAUL NICHOLSON'S REVIEW OF THE SEASON

2022 SEASON STATS (PRE-WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP)

(Michael Smith figures on the left. Stats courtesy of and his )

• 2022 Titles: 6 - 10 (TV: 2 - 5)
• Three-Dart Average: 96.83 – 98.43
• 180s per leg: 0.35 – 0.27
• Checkout percentage (Stage Events): 39.46% - 39.01%
• 100+ checkout per leg won: 10.20% - 13.78%
• Match Treble % (Win, most 180s & high checkout): 32% - 26.71%

Obviously these statistics are not quite so relevant now but it's just a telling reminder that Michael Smith isn't too far behind Michael van Gerwen average-wise while he's generally a more prolific 180 hitter.

Also, nobody came closer to MVG's title count this year than Smith which just goes to show how confident and mentally strong Bully Boy has become when it comes to the big matches.

ALSO READ: PAUL NICHOLSON ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE DEBATE

ROUTES TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

MICHAEL SMITH

• R2: 3-0 v Nathan Rafferty
  Set scores: 3-0, 3-0, 3-0
  Average: 96.62
  180s: 3 (0.33 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 2 (High: 130)
  Checkout %: 39.1% (9/23)
• R3: 4-3 v Martin Schindler
  Set scores: 2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1
  Average: 95.36
  180s: 6 (0.20 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 2 (High: 170)
  Checkout %: 40.5% (17/42)
• R4: 4-1 v Joe Cullen
  Set scores: 3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2
  Average: 103.25
  180s: 10 (0.48 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 0 (High: 76)
  Checkout %: 40% (12/30)
• QF: 5-3 v Stephen Bunting
  Set scores: 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 1-3, 3-1
  Average: 91.63
  180s: 6 (0.20 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 0 (High: 87)
  Checkout %: 47.1% (16/34)
• SF: 6-2 v Gabriel Clemens
  Set scores: 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1
  Average: 101.85
  180s: 19 (0.51 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 5 (High: 161)
  Checkout %: 43.1% (22/51)

Michael Smith's run to the final has been fairly up and down when it comes to his performance level.

He didn't need to produce any fireworks in despatching Nathan Rafferty 3-0 without dropping a leg but he then had to show every ounce of his fighting spirit and mental strength to battle back from the brink against Martin Schindler. Apart from hitting a 170 checkout, Bully Boy struggled to get close to his A-game for much of the contest but after edging the fifth set 3-2, he picked things up and motored through the next two sets 3-1 to keep his hopes alive.

The way he played against Joe Cullen in the last 16 and Gabriel Clemens in the semi-finals is what we've come to expect from him - lots of 180s, heavy scoring and pretty ruthless finishing - and he will need to be at those levels tonight in all areas of his game. The only plus side from his performance against Stephen Bunting inbetween those matches was how he found a way to win despite averaging considerably less than his St Helens rival with 91.63 and only managing six 180s.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN

• R2: 3-0 v Lewy Williams
  Set scores: 3-1, 3-0, 3-0
  Average: 101.84
  180s: 3 (0.3 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 0 (High: 94)
  Checkout %: 50% (9/18)
• R3: 4-2 v Mensur Suljovic
  Set scores: 3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1
  Average: 107.66
  180s: 12 (0.50 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 1 (High: 101)
  Checkout %: 38.5% (15/39)
• R4: 4-1 v Dirk van Duijvenbode
  Set scores: 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0
  Average: 100.42
  180s: 3 (0.15 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 2 (High: 120)
  Checkout %: 43.3% (13/30)
• QF: 5-0 v Chris Dobey
  Set scores: 3-1, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0, 3-1
  Average: 102.39
  180s: 5 (0.27 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 1 (High: 152)
  Checkout %: 33.3% (20/60)
• SF: 6-0 v Dimitri Van den Bergh
  Set scores: 3-2, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 3-0, 3-0
  Average: 108.28
  180s: 9 (0.41 per leg)
  100+ Checkouts: 1 (High: 170)
  Checkout %: 58.1% (18/31)

If you didn't know the scorelines of these games, you'd probably be shocked to learn that the only player to give him a little scare was Mensur Suljovic despite posting a massive averaging 107.66! In truth, it wasn't actually that close, with Suljovic's 161 memorable checkout to clinch the fifth set 3-2 merely delaying the inevitable as MVG swiftly bounced back to wrap up the sixth 3-1.

Apart from that it's just been one-way traffic without any hiccups and he's now won 13 sets on the bounce since Dirk van Duijvenbode managed one in his 4-1 victory over his fellow Dutchman. His opponents have also wilted under the barrage of consistently heavy scoring and unrelenting pressure and Suljovic aside, they've looked beaten very early on.

We'll perhaps only see the defeatist side of Smith if he ends up in a perilous position after four or five sets - but hopefully not before.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: PREDICTION AND BEST BETS

On a personal note, I'm hoping Michael Smith can win his first world title having tipped him to do so at 8/1 pre-tournament on these very pages, but I can't deny that the evidence has staked up in Michael van Gerwen's favour. He's simply looking unplayable.

That said, only Mensur Suljovic has produced a 100+ average against him and perhaps his performance levels will be wobbled by Bully Boy if he can reach the same standards we saw from him against Joe Cullen and Gabriel Clemens - as well as during his many other title-winning periods over the past 12 months.

Much has been made of Smith's mental strength these days and he heads into his third world championship final in a completely different place than his previous two; as a major winner.

That Grand Slam of Darts triumph - as well as all those close battles with MVG this season that we mentioned earlier - will give him real belief to make this a classic final for the ages that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Not that it would be any consolation whatsoever for Smith, but I'd still expect Bully Boy to edge the 180s battle even though their maximum per leg ratios are very similar (0.34 v 0.33) and both have reached 0.50 highs and slipped to 0.20 lows along the way.