Peter Wright issues his World Championship prediction and reminds MVG of drought
Peter Wright’s less-than-ideal preparation hasn’t stopped him from making his usual bold prediction for the upcoming World Darts Championship.
The defending champion’s focus has understandably been away from darts over the last month as his wife, Jo, who designs his whacky outfits and hairstyles, has been in out of hospital recently after initially being rushed to A&E in Wolverhampton during last month’s Grand Slam.
After visiting a surgeon this week, Wright has reported Jo is on the mend, allowing him to get some proper practice in ahead of his opening match on Thursday, December 15 against the winner of the first round tie between Micky Mansell or Ben Robb.
READ MORE: Peter Wright's wife Jo designed special World Championship outfits despite health scare
Wright has become renowned for confidently predicting his own success ahead of tournaments, with mixed results. During the World Grand Prix in October, the forecasts drew scorn from his main rivals Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price.
Despite a difficult year on and off the oche since capturing his second world title in January, Wright was at it again in his pre-tournament call with media, including Daily Star Sport.
“I’ll do well,” he smiled. “I’m not worried about the draw, I’ve just got to play the person in front of me. I know what to do to win it, then I’ll be picking up Sid [the Sid Waddell Trophy] at the beginning of next year. ”
Asked if he firmly believes his predictions or whether they are merely part of his routine, he was clear.
“That’s how I feel and whoever is going to beat me has got to play well," he said. “It’s not just me who’ll be saying that, it’s Michael [Van Gerwen], Gezzy [Price], Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, all those guys will be feeling confident. If you don’t believe in your own ability, you shouldn’t be playing.”
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Van Gerwen is the overwhelming favourite after winning four majors this year. Wright is in the same half of the draw as the Dutchman, meaning they are on course to meet before the final.
“I’d be favourite if I’d won four tournaments as well,” said Wright, who was quick to point out that the last of Van Gerwen's three world titles came back in 2019.
“The bookies have got it right, he’s coming into the tournament playing some good darts. So he’s going to be dangerous but you’ve got to deliver it on the Ally Pally stage and he hasn’t done it on that stage for a long time.”
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