Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena (World Grand Prix) Odds and Bets 01.10.2026

Luke Humphries and Jermaine Wattimena meet in the second round of the 2026 World Grand Prix in Leicester, with both men arriving after straight-sets victories. Humphries saw off Dave Chisnall 2-0 despite producing what was well below his usual standard, while Wattimena eliminated seeded Chris Dobey by the same score.

Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena date, time and event details

How Luke Humphries and Jermaine Wattimena are playing

Luke Humphries form

I would be wary of reading too much into Humphries’ opening average. He beat Chisnall 2-0, with both sets ending 3-1, despite averaging only 80.41, hitting two 180s and converting six of 23 checkout attempts.

His broader numbers are considerably stronger. Across his latest five matches, Humphries has been averaging around 99.10, with a checkout rate close to 45% and more than six 180s per match.

He also won Players Championship 28 in August, adding another title to an already strong season.

Most importantly for this particular event, Humphries has reached three consecutive World Grand Prix finals, winning the title in 2023 before finishing runner-up in each of the following two editions.

That tournament-specific record carries plenty of weight for me. This format clearly suits him, and I am more inclined to judge him on that body of work than on one poor opening average.

Jermaine Wattimena form

Wattimena deserves considerably more respect than the usual outsider facing Humphries. His 2-0 victory over Chris Dobey was solid: he averaged 86.55, hit three maximums and took six of his 15 finishing opportunities.

There is also a genuinely strong run of form behind that result. Wattimena won Players Championship 27 in Leicester in August, beating Luke Littler in the quarter-final before overcoming Luke Woodhouse and Kevin Doets to lift the title.

That was a significant result because it showed he can handle pressure against elite opposition, rather than simply building numbers against lower-ranked players.

His recent five-match figures still sit below Humphries’ level, however. Wattimena has been averaging around 93.80, with a checkout rate just above 44% and fewer than two maximums per match.

Key factors in my Humphries vs Wattimena prediction

Humphries’ World Grand Prix record is difficult to ignore

Reaching three consecutive finals in this tournament demonstrates far more than simply liking the venue. Humphries has repeatedly shown that he can adapt his game to the unusual rhythm created by having to double in as well as double out.

One poor opening-night average does not suddenly wipe that evidence away. In fact, winning 2-0 while producing an 80.41 average could be viewed positively: he survived his bad night without conceding a set.

His normal scoring level is significantly higher

Humphries has been averaging around 99.10 compared with Wattimena’s 93.80. He has also been producing maximums at a much higher rate.

Those figures are not all from double-start matches, so they should not be transferred directly to this format without context. They do, however, show the difference in scoring ceiling between the two players.

If Humphries finds his starting doubles early, I expect his heavier scoring to begin putting Wattimena under sustained pressure.

Wattimena is a dangerous outsider

This is why I would not rush towards Humphries 3-0 despite the gulf in the outright market.

Wattimena’s Players Championship title was no soft run. He beat Luke Littler, recovered impressively against Luke Woodhouse and then finished the job against Kevin Doets.

He has also just beaten Chris Dobey without dropping a set.

I think he has enough form and confidence to nick a set even if Humphries eventually takes control.

Humphries won their most recent meeting

These two met less than two weeks before this World Grand Prix clash, with Humphries winning 6-4.

Humphries averaged 98.43 in that match compared with Wattimena’s 92.61.

I would not treat that result as decisive because Thursday’s double-in format changes the dynamic considerably. It is still useful recent evidence that Humphries can create a meaningful scoring advantage against the same opponent.

Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena statistics

Recent head-to-head

The freshest meeting is particularly relevant because it was played shortly before this match.

Humphries defeated Wattimena 6-4 at the World Series Finals, averaging 98.43 to Wattimena’s 92.61.

Their career history contains matches from very different stages of both players’ careers, so I prefer not to lean heavily on the older head-to-head.

Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena odds