World Matchplay: Tuesday preview

Anderson and Wright to shine

The World Matchplay Darts is now in full-swing from Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, and having given our views on the outright betting, we aim to bring you the winners from the daily matches, pointing out any value plays along the way.

Tuesday’s schedule sees four matches go ahead in front of the Sky Sports cameras, with Scottish pair Gary Anderson and Peter Wright both in action. We give our opinions on the best bets available. Click here to place your darts bets – we offer a number of markets in every match, including most 180s, handicap betting and king of the oche.

Gurney to make a nuisance of himself

46-year-old Gary Anderson faces off against Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney, with the Flying Scotsman a hot favourite to pick up the desired result in that 9.45pm start. 31-year-old Derry man Gurney has never won a major PDC event, and isn’t expected to break the habit here, with our odds compilers offering a chunky 40/1 on him to finish as World Matchplay champion.

His opponent is a lot more likely to go on and lift the crown, going as 4/1 second favourite at the time of writing, behind Michael van Gerwen’s 4/6. Followers of the Musselburgh star won’t find a lot to get excited about in the match betting price, Anderson knocked up as a 2/9 shot to progress, meaning we must work a little harder for our value fix.

Gurney got to the final of the US Darts Masters recently, and put up a decent fight against eventual champion MVG, losing 8-6 in Las Vegas. Despite that reverse, the beaten man would’ve taken confidence from the way he matched up to the world champion for large parts of the evening, and he’ll aim to make a nuisance of himself again. Take him on the handicap +3.5 at even money.