Two rematches, two close betting markets — Blackpool's semi-final line-up is about to take shape
World Matchplay DartsSee All Odds
Blackpool's Winter Gardens serves up two blockbuster rematches on Friday, with both quarter-finals pitting players who met at this exact stage twelve months ago - and with the bookies unable to split either pair, the semi-final line-up is anyone's guess.
World Matchplay Darts Friday Schedule
Thursday's results:
Dirk van Duijvenbode 16-13
Gary Anderson Luke Littler 16-7 Josh Rock
Friday July 24 — Quarter-Finals (best of 31 legs) TV: Sky Sports, from 7pm BST
Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price — 8:05pm
Gian van Veen v James Wade — 9:45pm
Saturday July 25 — Semi-Finals (best of 33 legs)
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
Sunday July 26 — Final (best of 35 legs), 8:30pm BST
World Matchplay Darts Friday Odds
| Match | Player | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price (8:05pm) | Ross Smith | 17/10 |
| Gerwyn Price | 4/7 | |
| Gian van Veen v James Wade (9:45pm) | Gian van Veen | 11/13 |
| James Wade | 11/10 |
Matchplay Darts Friday Betting Tips
Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price
Smith reaches this stage without playing a full match since his last-16 tie was cut short by Cameron Menzies' withdrawal through illness, though he'd already looked sharp in the legs completed. His round-one demolition of Kevin Doets saw him average the century mark and rack up seven maximums, underlining why he's regarded as one of the tour's biggest hitters.
Price needed time to find his rhythm but answered emphatically in round two, lifting his average by four points on his opener to see off Rob Cross 11-5. That kind of upward trajectory has traditionally been ominous for opponents as the Welshman goes deeper into a tournament.
The head-to-head history favours Smith when it comes to maximums - he's out-hit Price on 180s in every one of their five meetings in front of fans, including a lopsided 13-3 split the last time they met at this event back in 2024.
Prediction: Gerwyn Price to win, with Smith fancied to land the most 180s on the night.
Gian van Veen v James Wade
This is a repeat of last year's quarter-final, which Wade won 16-13 on his way to a seventh Winter Gardens final appearance. Van Veen will have taken confidence from his own comeback story this week, hauling himself back from the brink against fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman with a nerveless 148 checkout among the highlights of a 14-12 win.
Wade's route has been calmer by comparison. He was fully in control throughout his 11-8 win over Ryan Searle, averaging just under 100 and landing exactly half his doubles — vintage Machine efficiency.
Both players are cut from similar cloth: strong on the outer ring, comfortable with combination finishes, and rarely blown away in longer formats. Given how tight their previous meetings have been, another close one feels the safer read than a runaway.
Prediction: James Wade to win.
