The darting action in Blackpool really is heating up, as we now enter the quarter-final stage of the PDC World Matchplay.
In the first two rounds, a host of favourites were eliminated, including World No1 Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross – all former winners of the competition.
All eyes are now firmly on in-form duo Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price, who could meet in the semi-finals on Saturday evening.
But the pair have to get through two tough quarter-final ties. The first games take place tonight at the Winter Gardens, with Littler and Price in action tomorrow.
Below are some online betting tips, one for each match, featuring the latest darts odds from NetBet’s website and app.
*All odds are subject to change
James Wade to beat Gian van Veen @ 2.21
Wade looks like a man reborn on the Blackpool stage, averaging over 100 in his wins over Joe Cullen and Wessel Nijman. With new-found power scoring to partner his usual clinical finishing, The Machine is now a contender to win a second Matchplay title. And his experience on this stage could prove crucial against young Dutchman Van Veen, who dumped out Humphries in the First Round and then beat compatriot Danny Noppert. This should be an incredibly close game, but Wade’s 20-year Matchplay CV may just see him over the line.
Stephen Bunting vs Jonny Clayton: Most 180s – Clayton @ 2.46
Another match which is very hard to call, with both players showing flashes of brilliance and grit in the previous two rounds. Each of them is capable of peppering the T20 bed for fun when at their best, which means this tip is perhaps more guesswork than anything. However, Bunting has started games at this Matchplay rather slowly, while Clayton has been slightly more consistent with his scoring. So we are taking a punt on the underdog in this market, even though Bunting is renowned for his 180 hitting.
Luke Littler to hit over 11.5 180s vs Andrew Gilding @ 2.10
Talking of 180 hitting, no one is better at that than current world champion Littler. Over the last 12 months, the teenage sensation has hit 925, which is 244 more than any other player. Even during an off-colour performance against Jermaine Wattimena in the Second Round, which he eventually won 13-11, Littler still hit nine 180s. But The Nuke will know he needs to up his game against Gilding, who was close to unplayable in a 11-5 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode. And when Littler does that over a slightly longer format, the T20 segment is usually left begging for mercy.
Josh Rock vs Gerwyn Price: Over 23.5 180s @ 2.95
The last of the four quarter-finals might just be the best of the lot. Price is playing some of the best darts of his career, thrashing Chris Dobey 11-3 in the Second Round and averaging a ridiculous 108.73. Rock emerged victorious in a thriller against Van Gerwen, the Northern Irishman bouncing back from a slow start to win 13-11. Price hit eight 180s in his win over Dobey, while Rock tallied nine against MVG. Over a longer format, with the potential for it to go right down to the wire, we are backing a high number of 180s to be hit between two of the tournament favourites.
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