LUKE Humphries, World number one and reigning world champion, will head to the upcoming PDC World Matchplay Blackpool as the pre tournament favourite, priced at 3/1 with long term title sponsors Betfred.
Premier League champion, Luke Littler, is a close second favourite (4/1) as he makes his Winter Gardens debut . ‘The Nuke‘ does however, have a tricky opening first round draw against Michael van Gerwen, with the Dutchman aiming to lift a fourth Matchplay title, he’s 9/1 to lift the trophy in Blackpool.
Gary Anderson is offered at 18/1 with the resurgent Scot always offering good value at the Winter Gardens. Michael Smith, is 20/1 to lift his maiden World Matchplay title after finishing as runner up back in 2019 and a recent return to winning form both at the World Cup and Pro Tour events.
Masters Champion Steven Bunting will be looking to replicate both that performcnme and his recent 177+ averages on the European Tour . The Bullet is 25/1.
Despite winning the World Matchplay title last year, Manchester’s Nathan Aspinall heads to Blackpool as an outsider. He’s priced at 33/1 to come out victorious, while his Premier League rival and another former champion, Rob Cross, is 14/1 to regain the crown.
Other possible value outsiders include Martin Schindler at 40/1. The German star has won on the European Tour this year and has been threatening on the bigger occasions over the past couple of seasons.
Tournament Winner*:
3/1 Luke Humphries
4/1 Luke Littler
15/2 Gerwyn Price
9/1 Michael van Gerwen
14/1 Rob Cross
18/1 Gary Anderson
20/1 Michael Smith
25/1 Stephen Bunting
28/1 Chris Dobey, Nathan Aspinall
33/1 Dave Chisnall, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton
40/1 Danny Noppert, Martin Schindler, Ross Smith
50/1 Damon Heta, Dimitri Van den Bergh, Ryan Searle
66/1 Peter Wright
100/1 Joe Cullen, Daryl Gurney, Gian van Veen, James Wade
125/1 Raymond van Barneveld, Krzysztof Ratajski, Luke Woodhouse
150/1 Brendan Dolan, Ryan Joyce, Ritchie Edhouse
200/1 Andrew Gilding, Ricardo Pietreczko
Prize Fund
Winner – £200,000
Runner-Up – £100,000
Semi-Finalists – £50,000
Quarter-Finalists – £30,000
Second Round Losers – £15,000
First Round Losers – £10,000
Total – £800,000
*Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy of Betfred.com. Subject to fluctuation.
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Image: PDC
