Betfred World Matchplay - Fixtures, Betting Tips & Odds
Here at betting.bet we’ll preview this popular event, providing betting tips and fixtures as well as the latest outright odds
One of the highlights of the annual darts calendar gets underway this weekend as Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens venue hosts the Betfred World Matchplay. The eight-day tournament concludes on Sunday 21st July but between now and then we’re likely to be treated to some high-quality darts from one of the strongest ever World Matchplay fields. Here at betting.bet we’ll preview this popular event, providing World Matchplay darts betting tips and fixtures as well as the latest outright odds courtesy of tournament sponsors Betfred.
Betfred World Matchplay Overview
The World Matchplay was first established in 1994 and is the final leg of the PDC Triple Crown, preceded by the World Championships and Premier League. The competition has been sponsored by Betfred since 2019 and this year’s event boasts prize money totalling £800,000. In 2024 the 32-strong field features no fewer than eight previous world champions and seven former World Matchplay winners.
Phil Taylor won a record 16 World Matchplay titles whilst Michael van Gerwen is the most successful player still active having won the tournament three times in 2015, 2016 and 2022. Last year’s World Matchplay was won by Nathan Aspinall thanks to a dominant 18-6 win against Jonny Clayton in the final.
Round One Highlights & Fixtures
The top 16 players on the PDC’s Order of Merit are seeded in round one with their opponents all having qualified via the ProTour Order of Merit. The action gets underway on Saturday evening with four mouth-watering first round fixtures. Gerwyn Price, a finalist two years ago, opens the tournament against two-time semi-finalist Daryl Gurney. Last year’s losing finalist Jonny Clayton takes on 2010 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld before world number one Luke Humphries meets newcomer Ricardo Pietreczko. The fourth match on day one will see Nathan Aspinall begin his World Matchplay defence against Luke Woodhouse.
The PDC Order of Merit is based on total prize money won over a two-year period and consequently, 17-year-old Premier League winner Luke Littler did not qualify as one of the 16 seeded players in round one. The result is arguably the most hotly-anticipated first round match in the tournament’s history as the teen sensation takes on Michael van Gerwen on Monday evening.
First Round Schedule
Saturday July 13 (1930 BST)
- Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
- Jonny Clayton v Raymond van Barneveld
- Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko
- Nathan Aspinall v Luke Woodhouse
Sunday July 14
(Afternoon Session (1200 BST))
- Ross Smith v Josh Rock
- Danny Noppert v James Wade
- Dimitri Van den Bergh v Martin Schindler
- Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce
(Evening Session (1630 BST))
- Rob Cross v Gian van Veen
- Joe Cullen v Brendan Dolan
- Peter Wright v Andrew Gilding
- Dave Chisnall v Krzysztof Ratajski
Monday July 15 (1900 BST)
- Damon Heta v Ryan Searle
- Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
- Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler
- Chris Dobey v Ritchie Edhouse
Potential First Round Upsets & Betting Tips
Peter Wright's difficult year to date was epitomised by a nightmare Premier League campaign. However, Wright defeated his first round opponent Andrew Gilding 10-1 in the UK Open and whilst he may not win so comprehensively on Sunday evening, he looks good value at 8/13.
Whilst the 16 seeded players are statistically the world’s best 16, this weekend’s first round will surely see its fair share of casualties. Ross Smith has not been in bad form this year but Josh Rock has been consistent without winning in recent months and could make it very difficult for Smith at odds of 10/11.
Joe Cullen is one of darts’ rising stars and will be tipped by many to go deep into this month’s World Matchplay however his first round match against Brendan Dolan is a potential banana skin. Dolan is without a tournament win in almost two years but is much better than his match odds of 10/11 suggests.
Betfred World Matchplay Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Luke Humphries | 3/1 |
| Luke Littler | 4/1 |
| Gerwyn Price | 15/2 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 9/1 |
| Rob Cross | 14/1 |
| Gary Anderson | 18/1 |
| Michael Smith | 20/1 |
| Stephen Bunting | 25/1 |
| Chris Dobey, Nathan Aspinall | 28/1 |
| Dave Chisnall, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton | 33/1 |
| Danny Noppert, Martin Schindler, Ross Smith | 40/1 |
| Damon Heta, Dimitri van den Bergh, Ryan Searle | 50/1 |
| Peter Wright | 66/1 |
| Joe Cullen, Daryl Gurney, Gian van Veen, James Wade | 100/1 |
| Raymond van Barneveld, Krzysztof Ratajski, Lukę Woodhouse | 125/1 |
| Brendan Dolan, Ryan Joyce, Ritchie Edhouse | 150/1 |
| Andrew Gilding, Ricardo Pietreczko | 200/1 |
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