One of the leading events on the PDC calendar is the World Matchplay, with the 2024 edition starting this week in Blackpool, England, where 32 of the best players in the world will do battle for the major.
It always shapes up to be an intriguing competition and we have you covered with a full preview down below.
2024 World Matchplay Darts Preview & Betting Tips
The format of the World Matchplay sees 32 players do battle, with 16 seeded players taking on 16 unseeded players. The draw was recently done and it has thrown up some very interesting match ups, most notably Michael Van Gerwen taking on Luke Littler. MVG hasn't won a tournament since January while Littler is the form player in the world and has won a tournament in every month of 2024, so despite it being a round one match, it shapes up to be one of the better highlights.
Recent World Cup winner Luke Humphries is the favourite to win the tournament after his World Cup win in Frankfurt alongside Michael Smith. He sits alongside Littler as the best player in darts currently and has an unbelievable record in majors across the last 12-18 months, and given his current form, he is a deserving favourite. He takes on Ricardo Pietreczko in the opening and given 'Pikachu' has had an awful 2024 to date, it is hard seeing him troubling Humphries.
The fascinating player for me in this tournament is Peter Wright. He had a decent tournament in the World Cup alongside Gary Anderson but overall, his form across the last 12-18 months has been very poor, which has been sad to see for a two time World Champion. His best is more than good enough to win this but will have to get past Andrew Gilding in the first round, which shapes up to be a very intriguing contest. The best version of Peter Wright is more than good enough to take this out.
Suggested Bets
Round 1 Bets
Gerwyn Price Most 180's vs Darryl Gurney: I think Price is overdue for a big tournament. He didn't do too bad alongside Johnny Clayton at the World Cup for Wales but back by himself and in a major, I have no doubt he will be fired up and wanting to make a statement in the opening round. If in the mood, he can fire off 180's for fun and a nine darter isn't out of the question. I am confident he will win and will get the most 180's between the pair.
Gerwyn Price Most 180's – $1.62 at BoomBet
Luke Humphries -5.5 Leg Handicap vs Ricardo Pietreczko: I think if these two play to their true form, this could be a wipeout and Humphries wins in a clean sweep. Humphries sits alongside Luke Littler as the best darts player in the world and the way he played for England in the World Cup was just something else. I think he'll do an absolute number on 'Pikachu' and he too, like Price, will want to make a statement early on in the tournament.
Luke Humphries -5.5 Leg Handicap – $2.70 at BoomBet
Overall Tournament Bets
Luke Littler to Win: I am, like most, a big, big fan of this teenager. IMO, he is the best player in the world and his 2024 has been unbelievable. Tournament wins in every month of the year, highlighted of course by his epic Premier League win over Luke Humphries, which included a nine darter. Unseeded, and takes on Michael Van Gerwen in the opening round, which shapes up to be a classic, but I think the best version of Littler is the best in world darts and I am confident he will be there at the end.
Luke Littler – $5.20 at Ladbrokes
Damon Heta To Win 4th Quarter: The way the Matchplay works, there is four quarters with eight players. To me, the fourth quarter looks the weakest of the quartet and I think there is value around the Aussie to win it. He was hot and cold during the World Cup for Australia but his form prior was very good and his best is more than good enough to be dangerous. He seems good value for mine to win this quarter.
Damon Heta - $9 at Ladbrokes
