Sport

World Matchplay darts preview – Price could be the Play

1 year ago

| BY News Team

The 31st edition of the PDC’s second-longest running major, part of the prestigious triple crown, is set to kick off on Saturday, July 13th.

In this blog, we will provide you with the latest odds and schedule for the upcoming major, highlighting key players and must-watch matches as they vie for the coveted title.

Key Players

Nathan Aspinall won the tournament last year and will be setting up to defend the Phil Taylor Trophy, he is a larger price of 28/1 to retain the title. Luke Littler is poised to make his debut in the Blackpool showpiece against Michael van Gerwen in the first round. Littler proved on his Premier League debut season that there is no newcoming nerves in sight and that’s why he is the 7/2 second favourite for this year’s Matchplay. His first round competitor Michael van Gerwen is 9/1 to win the competition.

Current World Champion Luke Humphries will also be searching for his first Matchplay title and he is in good form off the back of his recent World Cup victory alongside Michael Smith. Humphries is the 3/1 outright favourite. Meanwhile, top contenders like Gerwyn Price (7/1), Rob Cross (14/1), Michael Smith (16/1), and Gary Anderson (18/1) will all be vying for the prestigious title.

Format of Each Round

Round 1 – first to 10 legs (match must be won by two clear legs, sudden death leg at 12-12)

Round 2 – first to 11 legs (match must be won by two clear legs, sudden death leg at 13-13)

Quarter-finals – first to 16 legs (match must be won by two clear legs, sudden death leg at 18-18)

Semi-finals – first to 17 legs (match must be won by two clear legs, sudden death leg at 19-19)

Final – first to 18 legs (match must be won by two clear legs, sudden death leg at 20-20)

Selection

Gerwyn Price is the selection to win the World Matchplay Darts this year, aiming to go one better than his runner-up finish in 2022, where he lost to Michael van Gerwen 18-14 in the final. Price has been vocal about his competition in the lead-up to this event, and history shows that he performs best when channelling a certain degree of passion into his throw. At 7/1, there is definite value in betting on Price to take the title. He kicks off the show on Saturday night, and there’s every possibility he will be closing the event come July 21st.