Luke Littler remains hot favourite for the World Matchplay, having delivered a spectacular nine-dart finish in his previous match, and the Nuke will return to the oche to face Josh Rock in the quarter-finals.
Littler is the defending champion at the Winter Gardens and remains on course to win every major event this season, having already enjoyed glory at the World Championship, the World Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League and the World Cup.
With eight players left in with a chance of Matchplay success, Littler is 1/2 to claim the title. He is 1/10 to defeat Rock. Each-way terms of a third the odds, the final, are available in the outright market.
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World Matchplay betting tips
- Ross Smith to win the World Matchplay each-way @ 18/1
- Gary Anderson to beat Dirk van Duijvenbode @ 4/9
- James Wade to beat Gian van Veen @ 11/10
Maximums machine Smudger fresh for fight
The unfortunate early withdrawal of Cameron Menzies in the previous round means Ross Smith is the freshest player left in the competition. After only three legs, Menzies felt unwell and was unable to continue playing, so Smith cruised into the quarter-finals.
Smith is one of the most potent 180-hitters in the game and over the long matches in the latter stages of the Matchplay, his ability to pile pressure on opponents with relentless lipstick-smacking makes him capable of beating anyone.
Gerwyn Price has been struggling for focus in recent months and Smith will fancy his chances of seeing off the Welshman. James Wade or Gian van Veen would be waiting for Smith in the semi-finals, with Luke Littler not a potential problem until the final.
Smith appeals as an each-way investment as the English giant may well find a way to the final.
Flying Scotsman looking extremely dangerous
Littler has been in imperious form and is obviously the man to beat, but the Nuke will be fretting slightly about a potential semi-final confrontation with Gary Anderson.
The only player who has thrown darts of a level similar to that of Littler in Blackpool this week is Anderson, who averaged 109.96 in a 10-2 opening-round destruction of Ryan Joyce.
Anderson should justify his short odds against Dirk van Duijvenbode in the quarter-finals. Anderson minus 2.5 legs can be backed at 4/5 on the handicap betting. Punters comfortable with shorter prices can back Anderson to progress at 4/9.
Veteran left-hander thriving at favourite event
James Wade is full of enthusiasm when he turns up at the Winter Gardens for the Matchplay – an event he has won once and finished runner-up in six times.
Wade lost in the final to Littler last year and will have high hopes of meeting the youngster in Sunday’s showpiece again.
Van Veen has been inconsistent in recent months and Wade looks a value outsider to send the Dutch beanpole packing. Backing Wade to win matches at the Winter Gardens has been a hugely profitable policy for decades.
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