Two semi-finals that promised much on paper turned out to be pretty disappointing affairs. Ratajski started well vs Van Den Bergh but once the Belgian found his range there was only going to be one winner. In the other semi, Snakebite won 17-10 against Van Gerwen. Let’s hope tonight’s final makes up for the last couple of nights and we get a real barnstormer. Check out James Punt’s PDC World Matchplay Final preview and tips below.

Peter Wright vs. Dimitri van den Bergh

The bookmakers make Peter Wright the favourite and the best odds are now just 1.67. It isn’t difficult to see why. Wright’s tournament average is 104.5, his checkout rate 45%, 0.40 180’s per leg and he has needed 15 darts or fewer in 85% of his legs played. Dimitri is averaging 99.9, checkout rate 37.5%, 0.45 180’s per leg and has had 70% of his legs won in 15 or fewer darts. Wright has had the stronger all-round game and only trails Dimitri in the 180 department.

Wright has proven to be very hard to break and he is averaging 104 both with and against the darts. The stats say that he will break Van den Bergh more often than Van den Bergh will break him.

Their H2H record shows a 9-2 lead for Wright with one premier league draw. Dimitri has not beaten Wright for over two years. They have not played in any really long format matches, the longest was in this year’s second phase premier league match which Wright won 8-5.

Wright On A Different Level

Recent form wise, Wright has now won his last eleven matches, Van den Bergh seven. They are both scoring well but Wright has been on a different level. Neither has had any particularly close, hard fought matches. Ratajski took a 6-2 lead against Van den Bergh last night, but the Pole’s doubling just went AWOL out of the blue and after that it was a walk in the park for Dimitri. MVG fought back after a good start for Wright and closed to within two legs but Wright just found another gear, changed his stems and ran out the 17-10 winner.

These two are good friends and the Wrights accommodated Van den Bergh at their home for three months last year during lockdown. They know each other’s game well and sometimes that leads to a dull game, but this is a big final and both will be up for it.

Looking back at the twenty one World Matchplay finals played this century and the one thing that stands out is how few close matches there have been. The only time one went to extra time was the Anderson vs. Suljovic final three years ago. The next closest was when Taylor beat John Part 18-16 in 2002. The other nineteen were relatively one sided. The most common score line is 18-12 (5 times) and the average score line is 18.14 – 11.52. If you fancy a player to win, it is probably a good idea to back them on the handicap.

PDC World Matchplay Final Tip: 2 points Peter Wright to win -2.5 legs @ 2.10 generally available

PDC World Matchplay Final Tip: 0.5 point Peter Wright to win 18-12 @ 13.00 generally available

-JamesPunt