The football season may be going through a lull after the World Cup, but darts has done a great job in filling the sporting gap, courtesy of the World Matchplay.
Luke Littler and Dirk van Duijvenbode have already set up an intriguing Saturday night semi-final, and QuinnBet are offering a number of appealing price boosts ahead of the remaining matches at the last eight stage.
Here we’ll preview the evening’s matches, and also reveal how you can get started with QuinnBet.
Gerwyn Price vs Ross Smith preview (Friday 8pm)
The evening opens with a heavyweight encounter between former European champion Ross Smith and 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price, with both men chasing a first World Matchplay title.
Price has looked impressive so far in Blackpool, defeating Martin Schindler before producing an accomplished 11-5 victory over Rob Cross to reach the quarter-finals. Smith beat Kevin Doets in the opening round before progressing after Cameron Menzies was forced to withdraw due to illness in their second-round meeting.
Momentum appears to favour Price. The Welshman has won four of his last five matches, with victories over Schindler, Cross and Brayden Hall, while Smith’s recent results have been more mixed outside the Matchplay.
Smith possesses some of the heaviest scoring in the game and, if he settles quickly, has the power to match Price visit for visit. The concern for “Smudger” is that Price has looked increasingly clinical in Blackpool, combining heavy scoring with timely finishing, including a spectacular 161 checkout against Cross.
Long-format matches have often suited Price in recent years, allowing him time to recover from any slow patches, while Smith will know he needs to make his scoring bursts count when chances arise. Expect a high-standard contest with plenty of maximums, but if Price maintains the level he has shown through the opening two rounds, he can justify his position as favourite to book his place in the semi-finals.
QuinnBet World Matchplay price boosts
King Of The Oche – Gerwyn Price Most 180s, Highest Checkout & Win Match @ 9/2
Price To Win Match, Have The Highest Checkout & Hit 9 Or More 180s @ 3/1
Over 29.5 Legs, Over 19.5 180s & Over 3.5 100+ Checkouts @ 7/1
Just click on the price boost that appeals to add it to your betslip.
Gian van Veen vs James Wade preview (Friday 9.30pm)
The second of tonight’s quarter-finals sees experience take on youth as 2007 champion James Wade faces one of the sport’s brightest rising stars in Gian van Veen.
Van Veen heads into the match full of confidence after edging out fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman 14-12 in a high-quality last-16 clash, recovering from 9-7 down and producing a clutch 148 finish before closing out the match with a 12-dart leg. Wade, meanwhile, continued his impressive World Matchplay record with an 11-8 victory over Ryan Searle, having also beaten Jermaine Wattimena in the opening round.
These two have history at the Winter Gardens. Wade ended Van Veen’s run in last year’s World Matchplay quarter-finals with a 16-13 victory on his way to the final, but Van Veen gained revenge earlier this year by defeating Wade in the World Masters quarter-finals.
Form points towards the Dutchman. Over their last five matches, Van Veen has averaged just over 99 with a checkout success rate approaching 47%, while Wade has averaged just under 90 with a checkout percentage in the mid-30s. However, few players are more comfortable than Wade on the Winter Gardens stage, where his relentless finishing and ability to frustrate opponents have carried him to a total of seven finals.
If Van Veen produces his best scoring, he’ll fancy his chances of reaching a maiden World Matchplay semi-final. But Wade has made a career of dragging opponents into battles they don’t enjoy, and with another long-format match ahead, this could easily become the closest contest of the night.
QuinnBet World Matchplay price boosts
King Of The Oche – Van Veen Most 180s, Highest Checkout & Win Match @ 9/2
James Wade To Win Match, Have The Highest Checkout & Over 1.5 100+ Checkouts @ 4/1
James Wade To Win & Most 180s @ 7/2
Again, simply click on the price boost that appeals to add it to your betslip.
How to claim 50% back on your first day’s losses with QuinnBet
Sign up with QuinnBet, and you can get half your money back if you end up down after your first day’s betting. The sign-up process is simple, so here’s how to get started.
- Click here and you’ll be taken directly to QuinnBet’s registration page.
- Once you’re happy with the T&Cs of the offer, tap the gold Join button to get to create your account.
- To qualify, deposit and place a minimum £10 bet on any sport.
- Then, place two additional qualifying bets on different events, each worth at least 50% of your largest initial stake.
- They’ll credit your account with a Free Bet up to £25, the following day.
