World Matchplay semi-finals: Snakebite can overcome Mighty Mike

Peter Wright has continued his fine recent form in major tournaments, by avoiding an upset at the hands of former professional rugby player Gerwyn Price, who slayed seeds Michael Smith and Adrian Lewis earlier this World Matchplay.

The Scot eventually came through with ease, breaking The Iceman down to a 16-7 victory, and is on course to reach his third consecutive televised (in UK) final, after losing out at that stage in the World Cup of Darts and Japan Masters.

However, he will need to knock out world number one and title odds-on favourite Michael van Gerwen (8/11 with Coral). Snakebite, a 9/1 tournament shout, knows what it takes to beat the Dutchman, though, having edged him out in the semis in both Japan and the World Cup doubles with Gary Anderson.

Wright, therefore, is a very enticing 7/2 chance to win this first-to-17 match, and he could then potentially meet his World Cup and Japan Masters conqueror Phil Taylor for a third-time-lucky final against the all-time great.

Van Gerwen, however, boasts a terrific 26-8 (with one draw) record over Snakebite, and has lost just one of his last 10 singles encounters with him. He also thrashed him 13-3 in their only World Matchplay meeting back in 2013 in the last 16, which is why he is the heavy odds-on favourite at 1/5 to triumph again.

One thing is for sure, Mighty Mike will have to play better than his quarters clash against Ian White, who took him all the way in an epic 16-13 result. Van Gerwen could get the best out of Wright, though, so expect a duel of the highest quality here between these two fiercely competitive darting rivals, who seemingly don’t like each other.

Watch footage of these to riling each other up…