Darts Tips: A 25/1 shout tops our outright World Matchplay picks
Michael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price
Michael Smith
Gary Anderson
Dimitri van den Bergh
Andrew Gilding
“Blackpool in July. London in December.” The iconic words of the late John Gwynne, celebrating not just the nine-dart brilliance of Michael van Gerwen, but the two greatest tournaments in the darting calendar.
The World Championships might get all the attention – which is why it’s now the Paddy Power World Darts Championship – but you can’t overlook the iconic festival of arra’s at the Winter Gardens. From Best-of-19-legs in the first round to an epic Best-of-35 final, if you like legs of darts, the Matchplay is not to be missed.
As has become the norm, three players stand out in the betting once again: Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith. With not much to separate each of them, we’ll take a look at their chances this year, as well as some of the best of the rest.
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Michael van Gerwen
You couldn’t ask for a better run of form coming into a major than MvG has enjoyed. Having won the Premier League in May, he’s picked up the US Masters and Polish Masters titles in the last few weeks.
Despite probably being the form player in the world right now, MvG’s #3 seeding has thrown up a possible Last 16 clash with Josh Rock, and #6 Luke Humphries in the Quarter Final. It would take a brave person to bet against last year’s winner, but his route to success this week will be by no means an easy one. The Dutchman is favourite in the betting for a very good reason, but his tough quarter might be enough to put you off backing him.
4/1Michael van GerwenOutright BettingGerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price finds himself in a deceptively tricky quarter of the draw, with Joe Cullen, Rob Cross, Dave Chisnall, and Gary Anderson all potentially standing in his way. And his reward for navigating his way past those would be the World Number One Michael Smith in the Semi Final.
The Iceman will be looking to go one better than his Final defeat to MvG last year, but his status as joint-favourite here could be slightly generous; the in-form van Gerwen is probably more appealing at the same price.
4/1Gerwyn PriceOutright BettingMichael Smith
Since winning the World Champs in January, Michael Smith hasn’t quite kicked on as he might have wished. However, his #1 Ranking gives him a kind draw at the Winter Gardens, making him the shortest price in the Quarter Winner markets.
The long format should benefit Bully Boy – who’s game is dependent on rhythm – and an easy-ish run to the latter stages could set him up nicely to go all the way. At a slightly larger price than you’ll get for MvG or Price, Michael Smith may be the pick of the three favourites this year in Blackpool.
9/2Michael SmithOutright BettingThe best of the rest
With three clear favourites in the betting, there are plenty of juicy-looking prices amongst ‘The Field’ this year.
The renaissance of Gary Anderson has been this year’s highlight for all darts purists. Only Gerwyn Price has recorded a higher average over the course of 2023 than Anderson, and the Flying Scotsman will be looking to convert these displays into major honours in the second half of the year. He won’t have an easy run of it though, with Chizzy, Cross, Price and Smith his likeliest opponents en route to the final. It might be a more romantic bet than a shrewd one, but Gary Anderson to roll back the years at this iconic venue might be too tempting a tale to turn down.
22/1Gary AndersonOutright BettingDimitri van den Bergh could represent a decent each-way pick for this one. If he can get past a tricky opening round against Ross Smith, he faces a relatively easy route through his quarter with Clayton and Wright as the top ranked seeds there. The Dreammaker also has a very good record in the World Matchplay, winning in 2020, reaching the final in 2021 and the semi-final last year. With a relatively kind route to the final, an Each Way bet on Dimitri’s love affair with the Matchplay to continue looks tempting.
25/1Dimitri Van den BerghOutright BettingFor a long-shot, you might want to look at Andrew Gilding. He took everyone by surprise winning the UK Open in March from a 100/1 starting price, and his 150/1 price would shorten considerably if he could put a run together in Blackpool. Goldfinger has reached the QFs in two of the last three Players Championships, so is bringing some form into the tournament. He faces the misfiring Peter Wright in the opening round, followed by Searle or Barney in the Last 16 in what appears to be the kindest quarter of the draw.
150/1Andrew GildingOutright BettingMichael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price
Michael Smith
Gary Anderson
Dimitri van den Bergh
Andrew Gilding
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
