Will Dobey reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time?

For the third time in his career Chris Dobey is in the last 16 of a World Darts Championship – and that despite a hammer draw in the last 16 of the 2022 World Championship. Because Michael van Gerwen had to withdraw after a positive test the Englishman progressed without a fight into the next round. The same happened to his next opponent Luke Humphries.

Only a few hours before the match against Chisnall Humphries got his ticket for the last 16 without a fight. Now Luke “Cool Hand” Humphries, who is rated as favourite for his match against Chris “Hollywood” Dobey by the best betting companies, is aiming for the quarterfinals at the “Ally Pally” for the third time in his fifth World Championship participation.

If the 26-year-old from the south-east of England prevails in the best-of-seven, betting odds of up to 1.83 are currently available on Dobey vs. Humphries for tip 2. The last time the two players met in this calendar year, Chris Dobey scored a clear victory in the Players Championship 18 in Coventry – a good omen before the World Championship clash?

Dobey won for the fifth time in the last seven matches against Luke Humphries. Although the 31-year-old has not been at his best ahead of the 2022 World Cup, “Hollywood” will approach the Round of 16 against his compatriot with a broad chest after his extended Christmas break and recent win over Rodriguez.

Chris Dobey – Statistics & current form

Last year, Chris Dobey was knocked out before the last 16 for the first time since the 2018 World Cup after reaching two consecutive World Cup round of 16 finals. At the current World Cup 2022 the 31-year-old Englishman was threatened with a déjà vu, after all “Hollywood” caught a hammer lot with Michael van Gerwen in the sixteen-finals of the World Darts Championship 2022.

As his Dutch opponent tested positive before the match, 31-year-old Dobey progressed into the last 16 without a fight. As expected, the Englishman is classified as a slight underdog against his compatriot, which is due in particular to his recent form curve.

The world number 30 won only one of his six matches at the Players Championship and the Grand Slam 2021 before the World Cup 2022. At the current World Championship, however, the 31-year-old benefited largely from his opponent’s inability. After all, Rusty Jake Rodriguez missed numerous break chances during the course of the match.

Does Dobey go up a gear?

For the entire match, Dobey had an average of 92.68 against Rodriguez with a checkout rate of 36.11%. The 31-year-old broke the 140-point mark on his throws a total of 20 times over five sets. Only twice – Rodriguez had a total of six 180s – did “Hollywood” Dobey reach the maximum score of 180.

Nevertheless the world number 30 of the PDC is confident for his upcoming match against Luke Humphries. Only six months ago Dobey eliminated his fellow countryman from the PC18 in Coventry. By the way, during the tournament Chris Dobey won a ranking title for the first time in his current career.

The title coup was commendable, as the 31-year-old played with an average of 100.96. Only Heta, Noppert and Cross had a better average at the PC18, but Dobey shone with a checkout rate of 46%. Since then, the 31-year-old has flown largely under the radar and has also been battling a form crisis of late.

Last games of Chris Dobey:

World Darts Championship
12/28 2021 – Michael van Gerwen 0 – 0 Chris Dobey

12/23 2021 – Chris Dobey 3 – 2 Rusty-Jake Rodriguez

Players Championship Finals
11/26 2021 – Chris Dobey 5 – 6 William O’Connor

Grand Slam of Darts Group D
11/15 2021 – Chris Dobey 5 – 3 Ryan Joyce

11/14 2021 – Chris Dobey 3 – 5 Stephen Bunting

Luke Humphries – Statistics & current form

Luke Humphries has come out on top against Chizzy for the second time this calendar year – but this time without a fight. The 26-year-old youngster benefited from a “walkover” in the sixteen-final against his sometimes toughest opponent – Humphries lost five of six matches against Chizzy.

Chizzy after his positive test had to say goodbye early from the World Championship in the “Ally Pally” and was after Michael van Gerwen the second top-class player with title potential who was forced to end his World Championship fairytale. Humphries now has the chance to reach the last eight for the third time in his fifth World Championship appearance with a win against Dobey.

What is most encouraging is his recent form. In contrast to Dobey, who already stumbled before the 2022 World Cup, “Cool Hand Luke” has been in captivating form recently. At the PC Finals 2021, Humphries was only defeated by the in-form Jonny Clayton, who held his nerve in the best-of-19 to claim a 10:9 win.

Humphries in World Cup form?

The performance in the tournament opener was also commendable. After all, Luke Humphries won his match against Rodriguez 3-0 and thus celebrated a “white wash” for the first time since October 2021 – at that time against van Duijvenbode, mind you.

In his power performance against Rowby John Rodriguez, Luke Humphries had an average of 92.91. The 26-year-old checked out nine of a total of 24 double attempts and thus had a checkout rate of 37.5%. In comparison: Rodriguez hit only two of eleven doubles and had “only” a CO-rate of 18.18%.

Betting fans who would like to place a bet on “Cool Hand Luke” on Dobey vs. Humphries can pick up odds of up to 1.83 in the event of success.

Last matches of Luke Humphries:

World Darts Championship
12/29 2021 – Dave Chisnall 0 – 0 Luke Humphries

12/22 2021 – Luke Humphries 3 – 0 Rowby John Rodriguez

Players Championship Finals
11/27 2021 – Jonny Clayton 10 – 9 Luke Humphries

11/27 2021 – Ross Smith 5 – 6 Luke Humphries

11/26 2021 – Luke Humphries 6 – 4 Jason Heaver

Chris Dobey – Luke Humphries Direct comparison / H2H record

For the eighth time in their current careers, these two players will meet. Chris Dobey has won five of the seven games so far. On the other hand, Luke Humphries prevailed twice, including the match at the PC12 in Niedernhausen, where “Cool Hand Luke” celebrated a 6:4 victory over “Hollywood”.

Dobey took revenge for the defeat at the PC18 in Coventry with a clear win (6:2) in the best-of-11 and even had an average over 100.

Chris Dobey – Luke Humphries Tip

Both players benefited from a walkover in the last round and now head into the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup after an extended Christmas break. Because Luke Humphries delivered a far better performance than his compatriot at the start of the tournament, the role of favourite against the 31-year-old Dobey is quite understandable.

After all, there was a “white wash” for “Cool Hand Luke” in the match against Rodriguez. Besides a strong average, Humphries also delivered an impressive checkout rate. It is quite possible that with a similar performance the world number 30 Chris Dobey will be swept out of the Ally Pally.

As it stands, we rate Humphries far stronger than Dobey at the moment. Statistically, the form curve and also the recent average of “Cool Hand Luke” has been pointing steeply upwards recently. With a stake of five units, we therefore dare to bet on Dobey vs. Humphries at odds of 1.83 on the 26-year-old, who will thus reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the third time in his current career.