Thursday World Matchplay Darts Preview and Tips – JP
Thursday World Matchplay Darts Preview
And then there were eight. The quarter finals are upon us. The standard was ramped up in the second round and while averages aren’t all important, it was no surprise that six of the eight second losers all had match averages of under 95, the winners all over 97. Firepower does matter and we want to stay on side of the heavy hitters. These matches are now first to 16, must be won by two clear legs with a tie break 19-19. Check out James Punt’s Thursday World Matchplay Darts tips below.
Peter Wright vs. Dimitri van den Bergh
Peter Wright had to fight hard to beat Krzysztof Ratajski in the second round which saw a 7-3 lead for Wright turn into a 10 -10 score line. Snakebite had his back to the wall but fell over the line with a 13-11 win. He averaged 103.5 in the end, and it will have sharpened his game for further close matches. He has won seven of his last ten and is close to his best.
Dimitri van den Bergh beat Rowby-John Rodriguez 11-6 and while Rowby-John didn’t disgrace himself, there was a difference in class. Dimitri was just more at home and he continued his great form in this tournament. He has now played 12 matches and won 11. He has his eye on the prize once again.
Former Housemates
Wright and Van den Bergh were living together when Dimitri remained in the UK during the first lock down. They know each other’s game well, but it is Wright who holds the whip hand in terms of their H2H record, winning 11 of their 14 matches, including seven of their last eight. They faced each other in the final last year, and it was Wright who was a comfortable 18-9 winner.
Dimitri got a 6-6 PL draw in 2019 but he hasn’t beaten Wright since June 2019. Both of Van den Bergh’s wins required a deciding leg whereas Wright has only required one. He usually wins with a bit of a margin.
Closely Matched
There is not a lot between them in terms of ability. Wright is a slightly heavier scorer, has a slightly better checkout rate, first nine and so on, but there is nothing to suggest Wright can simply overpower Van den Bergh, but he does have that very good H2H record. He knows he has Dimitri’s number, and so does Dimitri. When you get to this level, it is what goes on between the ears that counts the most.
Both are past champions, and both are tournament specialists. In the last five years Wright has played in four quarter finals and won three, Dimitri played two and won two. I would take Van den Bergh to beat just about anybody…..except Peter Wright.
Thursday World Matchplay Darts tips: 1 point Peter Wright to win @ 1.80 generally available
Thursday World Matchplay Darts tips: 0.5 point Wright to win 16-10 @ 15.00 with Betfred
Michael van Gerwen vs. Nathan Aspinall
MVG has played in seven previous Matchplay quarter finals, winning five. Three were wins over Dave Chisnall and last year he beat Nathan Aspinall 16-9. Their overall H2H record is 9-5 to MVG, with one draw. Van Gerwen has won seven of his last ten matches, but he says he is not yet back to his best following surgery. He has only played the three matches post operation. He hasn’t hit a ton plus average since May, but he was close to it when beating Joe Cullen 11-5 in the last round.
Nathan Aspinall has had his own injury woes in 2022 but he has returned to form after a small surgical procedure. He has won eight of his last ten matches but his scoring, while good and fairly consistent, is a little down on his very best. His doubling has been very good in those last ten, only twice below 42% and only once less than 37%. If he can just up his scoring a little, he must have a very good chance. MVG has had his problems on the outer ring in the last year or two and that is where this match will be won and lost. He has been decent so far in that department, but it will be interesting to see if that holds up if he is under pressure.
Tough To Call
This is not an easy match to call. There is not enough recent form on MVG’s side to be sure of where his game is. He deserves to be favourite given their H2H form and on his past form in this event. He has also won six titles in 2022 so while his win rate is well shy of his peak, he is back to feeling comfortable winning again. Aspinall is in good consistent form, right up for it and unlikely to roll over in the way Cullen did.
MVG is the 1.58 favourite, Aspinall 2.50 and those odds are hard to argue with. It is hard to see any edge in this match. Total legs at around 27.5 and the odds look about right. Most 180s has Aspinall the 1.83 favourite. They are very close so far which makes MVG’s 2.63 tempting, but in their last five, Aspinall won that 4-1.
It is a no bet match for me.
