World Matchplay

The PDC’S annual summer showpiece is almost upon us, as the 2025 World Matchplay gets underway at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool this weekend.

A star-studded 32-player field will go head-to-head across nine days of action in pursuit of the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.

Luke Humphries is the defending champion and will be hoping to become the first player to win the tournament back-to-back since Michael van Gerwen in 2016.

 

World Darts Matchplay 2025 Predictions

Luke Littler fell at the first hurdle on his World Matchplay debut 12 months ago, so he will be keen to make amends this year.

Now heading back to Blackpool as the number two seed, the teenage sensation has been installed as the bookies’ outright favourite at a best price of 9/4 with PricedUp.

Luke Humphries returns to the Winter Gardens as a 9/2 shot on PricedUp to defend his crown, a price that holds plenty of appeal.

The world number one has had another impressive season, recently adding the Premier League and US Darts Masters titles to his growing list of accomplishments.

According to the pre-tournament odds, the two Lukes main rivals for the title will be 2022 runner-up Gerwyn Price.

The Iceman - who is a best price of 9/1 with Star Sports - is enjoying an impressive resurgence and has looked like a rejuvenated player this year.

Having triumphed at both the Poland Darts Masters and the Baltic Sea Darts Open in recent weeks, Price will pose a serious threat to anyone that he crosses paths with.

Elsewhere, Josh Rock and Michael van Gerwen make up the top-five in the outright betting at 16/1 and 20/1 respectively.

Fan favourite and 2023 World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall looks to have rediscovered his mojo and also merits consideration at a chunky 25/1 on PricedUp.

 

Darts Betting Tips for the World Matchplay 2025

Luke Littler Quarter 3 Winner - 8/15 (Betfred)

Admittedly, it’s not the most eye-catching  of prices, however Luke Littler looks like a solid selection to come through his quarter of the draw at 8/15 on Betfred.

‘The Nuke’ is a cut above the rest of the third quarter pack and he will be determined not to let any complacency set in after last year’s early exit.

The same bet is as short as 4/9 with another bookmaker. 

Luke Humphries Quarter 1 Winner - 11/8 (Bet 365)

Luke Humphries looks excellent value to come through his quarter of the draw at 11/8 on Bet 365. ‘Cool Hand’ is playing well enough to avoid an opening night banana skin with Gian van Veen and thereafter a round of 16 tie with either Danny Noppert or Cameron Menzies should pose no issues. 

Humphries’ biggest threat could be a potential quarter-final tie with Nathan Aspinall, however the Newbury ace has taken top honours from six of the eight meetings between the pair this year, including each of the last three.

Name the Finalists - Luke Humphries v Luke Littler - 5/1 (Betfred)

While it’s easy to make a case for a Luke Humphries v Luke Littler final, the 5/1 on Betfred about the pair contesting this year’s showpiece is simply too big to ignore. 

The duo went up against each other in the recent Premier League of Darts final, not to mention they crossed paths in five of the 16 nightly finals across the regular season. Now playing over a longer format, it’s difficult to oppose the top-two seeds being the last two players standing.