Van Gerwen vs O'Connor Predictions & Latest Odds (2026 PDC World Darts Championship)
- Written by Amos Halfon
Michael van Gerwen and William O’Connor are set to clash on Day 13 of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship. The victor of this matchup between Mighty Mike and The Magpie will advance to the third round, where they will face either Peter Wright or Arno Merk. Who will emerge victorious? This article contains our Michael Van Gerwen vs William O'Connor betting preview with predictions, betting tips, latest odds, match stats, free bets and sign-up offers!
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Michael Van Gerwen vs William O'Connor: Betting preview
In his first-round match, Michael van Gerwen struggled, averaging only 90.82 in a 3-1 victory over Mitsuhiko Tatsunami, who faltered on key doubles. MVG managed just five 180s, recorded a checkout conversion rate of 29%, and his highest checkout was a mere 65. The Dutch star has not been the dominant force he once was; it has been six years since he last claimed a world championship title and three years since his last major televised win.
Conversely, William O'Connor delivered an impressive performance in his opening round, defeating the potentially challenging Krzysztof Kciuk. O'Connor's average of 102.36 was the highest among all first-round competitors. He also hit seven 180s, achieved a remarkable 167 checkout, and converted 9 out of 17 doubles. The 39-year-old concluded the PDC floor season on a high note, reaching three semi-finals and one final in his last ten events. O’Connor aims to secure a significant victory and reach the third round of the Worlds for only the third time, having last accomplished this in 2021/22.
Since their first encounter in 2012, Michael van Gerwen and William O'Connor have faced each other 11 times. Van Gerwen holds a commanding lead in their head-to-head record, winning 10 of those matches, with O'Connor's only victory occurring on the European Tour in 2018. They have not met in 2024 or 2025..
Best odds
Are you looking for the highest odds available on the match winner market? This section shows the highest prices on the Michael Van Gerwen vs William O'Connor match, obtained by comparing odds from over 70 best betting sites! We recommend to claim best odds by clicking the 'Place Bet' button.
Michael Van Gerwen vs William O'Connor: Predictions
It’s hard to believe that Michael van Gerwen will perform as poorly as he did in his first match, especially with a formidable, in-form, and motivated opponent like William O'Connor standing beside him on the oche.
O'Connor, on the other hand, was left frustrated after his first-round loss to Ricardo Pietreczko (6-3) at the Players Championship Finals last month, where he averaged only 84 with a checkout percentage of just 20%.
Given these circumstances, we anticipate a competitive match, but ultimately, Michael van Gerwen is expected to come out on top. A 3-2 victory for MVG offers appealing odds. When it comes to 180s and the highest checkout, placing a bet on O'Connor could provide good value.
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