Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode Preview & Prediction | 2026 World Grand Prix | First Round
by Trystan Pugh ·
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Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode meet for the second TV tournament in succession as both players compete for a place in the second round of the 2026 World Grand Prix.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – PDCTV
Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode prediction
Gian van Veen is the opposite of a lot of players in that he tends to play his best darts on the TV stage as opposed to the floor events, but that has not yet translated, results-wise at least, to the World Grand Prix, where is he has lost his first-round match in each of his two participations so far.
The third seed was unlucky last year to lose to eventual champion Luke Littler while averaging over 106 though, and anything close to that standard will see him in the reckoning for the title, let alone this first-round match.
Compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode will be no pushover though, with the 34-year-old in excellent form right now having reached the semi-finals of the World Matchplay and the quarter-finals of the more recent World Series of Darts Finals.
These two met in that latter tournament with Van Veen winning a close game 10-8, and there is no reason to believe this won't be another closely-fought tungsten battle.
We're going for Van Veen if pushed, but over 2.5 sets may be a safer play.
Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode tip: Over 2.5 sets