The Betfred World Matchplay returns to Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens on Saturday 15 July for over a week of excellent darts action. Last year saw Michael van Gerwen claim his third World Matchplay title as he triumphed over Gerwyn Price 18-14 in a gripping final.
The Dutchman will be looking to defend his crown in Lancashire this month to add to the record-breaking seventh title he won in this year’s Premier League.
Here are the current favourites for this year’s Betfred World Matchplay.
Michael Smith - 4/1
World number one and reigning world champion Michael Smith looks to be Van Gerwen’s biggest threat at Winter Gardens. After prevailing over the Dutchman in the World Championship final back in January, it was thought a great rivalry would develop between the pair. Smith himself has been a different player since securing his first major title and Van Gerwen will be well aware of the threat he poses.
Gerwyn Price - 9/2
Darts’ pantomime villain Gerwyn Price will be out to avenge last year’s final defeat against Van Gerwen, as well as missing out to ‘MVG’ in this year’s Premier League final. ‘The Iceman’ has great pedigree on the highest level and was one half of the winning Wales team at the World Cup of Darts in June, but the World Matchplay remains elusive for him. Perhaps he can change that this year?
Michael van Gerwen - 9/2
As already mentioned, the reigning champion will be out to make it back-to-back victories on this stage and with the recent triumph in the Premier League, he will feel unstoppable right now.
Luke Humphries - 14/1
World number six Luke Humphries has certainly got talent but the wait for a major title continues. The Englishman’s best performance at the World Matchplay was the last 16 back in 2021, so he will need to be at the top of his game if he is to claim his first piece of major silverware.
Peter Wright - 16/1
2021 champion Peter Wright will be hungry for success back on this stage after a surprising premature exit in the quarter-finals last time out. ‘Snakebite’ was defeated by Dimitri van den Bergh and the Scotsman’s last major honour came in the 2022 World Championship with a poor Premier League showing this year meaning he has a point to prove.
Jonny Clayton - 20/1
Welshman Jonny Clayton has enjoyed success on the PDC Tour in recent years, including the 2021 Premier League. He won four major events that year but has not been able to build on that momentum since, although he did partner with Price to win the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt recently. Clayton has never progressed past the last 16 in the Betfred World Matchplay so he will be eager to surpass that round at Winter Gardens this time around.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
