Michael Smith vs Jose De Sousa
21st July 1900hrs
Darts – England – PDC World Matchplay
Pick Smith +2.5 handicap
Bookmaker Ladbrokes
Odds: 13/8 odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes
A place in the Quarter Finals of the World Matchplay darts is up for grabs in this contest on Wednesday from Blackpool.
Neither Smith nor De Sousa had much trouble in their respective opening matches and now go head to head.
The winner of the match will face either Peter Wright or Joe Cullen in the last eight of the tournament. Who makes it through?
Table of Contents
Michael Smith Preview – Smith not to be underestimated
Michael Smith has gone well at the last two editions of the World Matchplay darts.
He reached the final in 2019 and then followed up with a semi-final berth at last year’s edition.
So he’s not to be written off here even though he is the underdog in World Matchplay darts betting.
Smith is a quote of 13/8 in the outright winner market* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
In the first round of this year’s tournament “Bully Boy” faced the unseeded Ryan Searle.
Smith fought through with a 10-7 win on the night to set up this clash.
For this year’s World Matchplay, Smith is the seventh seed.
In his three big tournaments for 2021, Smith’s best run came with a fifth-round exit at the UK Open.
There was a bit of form from him in this month’s Players Championship events, posting a W4 L1 record on his two latest.
One of the defeats in that sequence was an excusable one against Michael Van Gerwen as well.
Smith only posted a 92 three-dart average in the first round and is likely to need a lot more than that to get through this.
A Michael Smith +2.5 handicap is at a quote of 4/5* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
This is the first meeting between the two players.
Jose De Sousa Preview – De Sousa to shine again?
It was last year that Portugal’s Jose De Sousa made his big breakthrough on the PDC.
That was his first full season on the Tour and he picked up a title at the Grand Slam of Darts impressively.
This year he showed that he can fight and scrap it with the best, as he reached the final of the Premier League Darts.
Throw on top a 6th Round exit at the UK Open and he is in decent shape.
There is a quote of 1/2 on the match outright for De Sousa for Wednesday night’s World Matchplay darts betting* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
This is just the second appearance of the main draw of the tournament for De Sousa.
He failed to make it past the first round on his debut last year, so has already bettered himself.
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Jose De Sousa, who is 10th seed for the World Matchplay, raced through his opening round match.
He thumped Germany’s Gabriel Clemens 10-2, posting a three-dart average of 97 as he was relaxed and untroubled.
This on paper looks a lot tougher of an assignment.
But the Portuguese star is growing in status and a De Sousa -2.5 handicap can be backed at a quote of 6/5* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
The Special One is on the up in the game, but this looks like being a really tough matchup.
Michael Smith vs Jose De Sousa Betting Advice
We are tempted to roll with the 13/8 odds on the match win for Michael Smith in darts betting* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
“Bully Boy” has done well in this format in the last couple of years.
He did about as well as expected in Players Championship events this month and looks in decent enough nick.
Key Facts – Michael Smith vs Jose De Sousa Betting Tip
- Michael Smith meets De Sousa for the first time
- Michael Smith has reached at least the final four in the last two editions
- Jose De Sousa is in the main draw for just the second time
De Sousa, with his unorthodox check-outs, is an increasingly popular figure on the PDC and has already bettered his debut result in the World Matchplay.
He cruised the first challenge at this tournament but is going to have to dig a lot deeper.
This looks close all the way, but it’s the Smith +2.5 handicap for 4/5 that looks the best fit* (odds recorded 22:08 GMT 20th July at Ladbrokes).
The best betting odds for Michael Smith vs Jose De Sousa
Michael Smith to win: 13/8 at Bet365
Jose De Sousa to win: 1/2 at Bet365
