Betfred World Matchplay quarter-final tips: Cullen backed for semis

The Betfred World Matchplay darts has reached the quarter-final stage, with four cracking last-eight ties to be played in Blackpool on Thursday and Friday night.

Rob Cross, James Wade, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Gary Anderson are all out of the Winter Gardens tournament, so there will be a new name on the trophy after Sunday’s final.

Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall, Joe Cullen, Chris Dobey, Damon Heta, Ryan Searle and Daryl Gurney are the eight arrowsmiths left standing – and here we take a look at the best quarter-final bets.

Betfred World Matchplay quarter-final tips

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change

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Cullen too good for Gurney

Cullen will be full of confidence after dismissing the challenge of last year’s Betfred World Matchplay runner-up Gerwyn Price and Rockstar can call the tune against Gurney.

That second-round victory over the Iceman was an extremely impressive show of finishing, in which Cullen landed 61.9 per cent of his checkout doubles.

The Bradford man takes on Gurney in Thursday’s quarter-finals, and Superchin has certainly bounced back to form in Blackpool. However, on balance, Cullen should have too much for the Northern Irishman.

Tip: Joe Cullen -2.5 legs v Daryl Gurney @ 11/10 with Betfred

Dobey and Aspinall set for competitive clash

Thursday’s other last-eight tie, between Dobey and Aspinall, is likely to be a closely fought ding-dong battle.

Dobey had not won a single World Matchplay contest before getting the better of Wade and world champion Michael Smith in Blackpool this year. Those were extremely strong efforts – and Hollywood looks set for another star performance.

Aspinall appears to be nearing his best form, after a period of struggles, and he has hit 16 180s in two victories against Krzysztof Ratajski and Danny Noppert. A tight game should mean plenty of maximums and getting long on 180s looks the play.

Tip: Over 21.5 180s in Chris Dobey v Nathan Aspinall @ 11/5 with Betfred

Searle set to see off Clayton

Searle recorded the highest average in the tournament so far, and his best-ever televised score, when defeating Raymond van Barneveld in round one.

Heavy Metal backed that up with another impressive display when beating two-time world champion Peter Wright in round two, and the Somerset man may not stop there as he prepares to face Clayton on Friday.

Searle has switched to a heavier weight of dart and that appears to have brought about further improvement from an already top-level performer. Clayton is no pushover, but he is 8/13 on Friday night – and that looks a little too short.

Tip: Ryan Searle to beat Jonny Clayton @ 13/10 with Betfred

Humphries to dominate against Heta

Humphries was favourite to win the Betfred World Matchplay going into the quarter-finals – and it is easy to see why.

Cool Hand Luke is putting up some stunning numbers on the Pro Tour this season. He has reached five European Tour finals in 2023, triumphing in Germany, while he won a Players Championship event in Leicester last week, and he can beat Heta with something to spare.

Tip: Luke Humphries -3.5 legs v Damon Heta @ 11/8 with Betfred