We have some big action coming up with the World Matchplay darts betting 2021 coming into focus.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Dimitri Van den Bergh is heading back as the defending champion.
It is a big week of Darts betting action and we look through the key players lining up in the draw in this World Matchplay darts betting guide.
World Matchplay Darts betting odds
Michael Van Gerwen 5/1
Gerwyn Price 9/2
Jose De Sousa 15/2
Peter Wright 8/1
Dimitri van den Bergh 10/1
Jonny Clayton 14/1
James Wade 16/1
Gary Anderson 18/1
Nathan Aspinall 25/1
Michael Smith 25/1
Rob Cross 33/1
Krzysztof Ratajski 33/1
Dave Chisnall 33/1
40/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport)
When and Where is the World Matchplay Darts 2021?
We are at the Winter Gardens for the World Matchplay and the tournament starts on July 17th and runs through to the 25th.
Last year’s event was moved to Milton Keynes, but the event is back at its familiar home in the northwest for this year.
Who is the World Matchplay Darts reigning champion?
There was a little bit of a surprise last year at the World Matchplay darts. The tournament was won by Dmitri Van den Bergh.
The Belgian had been the underdog for the Final against Scotland’s Gary Anderson. But Van den Bergh actually made light work of things.
It was an impressive 18-10 win that he took in the final, giving Van den Bergh the biggest title of his career.
He is a quote of 10/1 to follow up and retain the title in World Matchplay darts betting* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
The last player to successfully defend the title was Michael van Gerwen in 2016.
Who is the favourite in World Matchplay Darts betting 2021?
It’s no surprise to see Michael van Gerwen lining up as the 5/1 favourite in World Matchplay darts odds* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
He has won the title twice before. There has not been a title for Van Gerwen this season, his crown in the world game having slipped really since the end of the 2019 campaign.
“Mighty Mike” did claim the UK Open and the Players Championship titles last year. But that’s a tally of titles a long way short of the seven that he took in 2019.
Van Gerwen doesn’t have a great recent track record in the World Matchplay either. He has failed to get beyond the second round in any of his last three attempts.
Last 10 World Matchplay Darts Winners
- 2020 Dimitri Van den Bergh
- 2019 Rob Cross
- 2018 Gary Anderson
- 2017 Phil Taylor
- 2016 Michael van Gerwen
- 2015 Michael van Gerwen
- 2014 Phil Taylor
- 2013 Phil Taylor
- 2012 Phil Taylor
- 2011 Phil Taylor
Can Gerwyn Price land the World Matchplay for the first time?
Gerwyn Price is arguably the form player of 2021 so far. “The Iceman” won the PDC World Championship at the start of the year.
That was head and shoulders, the biggest title of the Welshman’s career. In the other two big tournament appearances that he has made this year, Price has gone close.
There was a semi-final exit for him at The Masters and the UK Open. So he looks in fine shape and is knocking on the door of more success.
There is a quote of 9/2 on Gerwyn Price to win outright in the World Matchplay Darts betting* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
But his record at the tournament does need to be called into question. Price landed a quarter-final finish on his debut in 2015.
Since then “The Iceman” has not been past the second round in five attempts, falling at the first hurdle in each of the last four editions.
To Win 1st Quarter
Gerwyn Price 13/8
Dimitri van den Berg 3/1
Jonny Clayton 9/2
Dave Chisnall 7/1
9/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport)
Peter Wright confident of a title
Listing to Peter Wright, there is going to be no stopping him at the Winter Gardens or anywhere else this season.
Snakebite had a career year in 2020 winning the World Championship, The Masters and the European Championship.
He hasn’t quite been back at that level this year, however.
His best finish in a big event was a semi-final place on his attempted title defence at The Masters.
But he is one of the front runners who has more consistent form in the World Matchplay tournament.
Wright has only failed to make it to at least the quarter-finals in one of his last six attempts at the tournament.
His best finish was in 2017 when he was runner up to the great Phil Taylor. Wright is a quote of 8/1 in darts betting* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
To Win 2nd Quarter
James Wade 11/4
Rob Cross 5/1
Krzysztof Ratajski 11/2
Brendan Dolan 6/1
Luke Humphries 6/1
8/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport)
Can João De Sousa cause a surpirse?
Portugal’s Joao De Sousa is being well respected in the darts betting for the World Matchplay 2021.
He is a quote of 15/2 currently to land the title, a shorter price than what Peter Wright is* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
“The Special One” won his first big title last year at the Grand Slam Of Darts after only turning professional in 2019.
There was a positive finish for him at this year’s Premier League Of Darts, De Sousa surprisingly finishing as runner up in the tough event.
So those results have raised his stock a bit.
This will be his second attempt at the World Matchplay having suffered a First Round exit on his debut last year.
To Win 3rd Quarter
Jose De Sousa 21/20
Peter Wright 23/10
Michael Smith 5/1
Joe Cullen 7/1
Chirs Dobey 11/1
* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport)
Others of note
Former Championship Gary Anderson is a quote of 18/1* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
“The Flying Scotsman” lifted the title in 2018 and lost last year’s Final. He hasn’t looked his sharpest since losing the 2021 World Championship Final to Gerwyn Price.
His recent decent form at this event piques interest perhaps an each way darts betting punt.
James Wade is at 16/1* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport). He has reached the final of the World Matchplay six times before. He’s landed the title once.
“The Machine” has been in decent form this season including landing the title at the UK Open, so he could make the best each-way punt in World Matchplay Darts betting.
To Win 4th Quarter
Michael van Gerwen 13/10
Gary Anderson 4/1
Nathan Aspinall 9/2
Daryl Gurney 11/1
Mervyn King 11/1
Stephen Bunting 9/1
14/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport)
World Matchplay Darts Betting Prediction
Our first selection for the title is Gerwyn Price at 9/2* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
We just think that he is the best of the front runners when we put together the form and the odds quoted for darts betting.
The history at the World Matchplay isn’t there from him, but there wasn’t much at the World Championship and he delivered the title there.
As our big each-way punt on the World Matchplay Darts 2021, we are going with James Wade at 16/1* (odds recorded at 19:28 GMT on July 15th, 2021 at 888sport).
He has a proven track record at the tournament, so handles the format well. He will be boosted with his big televised title at the UK open as well.
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