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World Matchplay darts 2024: Day four predictions, betting tips, acca, order of play and TV time

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Tue July 16, 2024 · 4M ago

The 2024 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the Winter Gardens on Tuesday night so check out Chris Hammer's match-by-match predictions, best bets and a suggested acca.

Darts betting tips: World Matchplay day four

1pt Price and Smith to hit six or more 180s each at 6/5 (Paddy Power)

1pt Wade to win and Aspinall to hit most 180s at 2/1 (Sky Bet)

SL Acca: 1pt Smith (+2.5), Wade & Van den Bergh all to win at 11/2 with Sky Bet

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

Evening Session (1900 BST)

TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Format: Second round, best of 21 legs

Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith

Three-Dart Average (2024): 98.24 - 95.79
180s per leg (2024): 0.32 - 0.38
Checkout % (2024): 40.78% - 38.47%

Gerwyn Price opened this year's World Matchplay with an extremely solid 10-4 victory over Daryl Gurney in which he averaged just shy of 100 but I'd expect him to get a much tougher examination against Ross Smith.

In fact Smith was my pre-tournament tip to win this quarter of the draw and based on the performance he put in during his thrashing of Josh Rock by the same scoreline, I'm still pretty confident about his chances.

The Englishman averaged 99 despite 'only' managing three 180s which is well below his usual rate of maximums and if he can unleash a barrage of those on this occasion, the crowd could become a notable factor in his favour.

Price is certainly no slouch when it comes to 180s and hit five of them in 14 legs last time out so if we see plenty of legs in this one, then they should be able to achieve at least six apiece fairly comfortably.

Verdict: 9-11

CLICK HERE to bet on Price v Smith with Sky Bet

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Nathan Aspinall v James Wade

Three-Dart Average (2024): 94.47 - 93.75
180s per leg (2024): 0.26 - 0.20
Checkout % (2024): 36.47% - 40.77%

James Wade always seems to take great delight at being underestimated - or even written off - and he used that to fuel him to a surprisingly comfortable win over a lacklustre Danny Noppert on Sunday.

The Machine only needed a steady 96 average to mark his 19th successive appearance here with a 10-5 victory and that could be plenty good enough tonight as well when he faces Nathan Aspinall.

The defending champion admitted 'I shouldn't be playing' due to injury problems that will force him to take a break from the game after Blackpool so he did remarkably well to battle through 18 legs to beat Luke Woodhouse on opening night.

That sums up Aspinall's fighting spirit but it's hard to see him coming through another lengthy clash against Wade, who will be keen to mercilessly capitalise on any chance he gets.

Nevertheless, the Asp still managed five 180s against Woodhouse and is generally more prolific on maximums than Wade so I've factored that into my match double.

Verdict: 5-11

CLICK HERE to bet on Aspinall v Wade with Sky Bet

Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting

Three-Dart Average (2024): 99.41 - 96.37
180s per leg (2024): 0.34 - 0.32
Checkout % (2024): 42.9% - 40.17%

The Winter Gardens crowd will be expecting this match between the world number one and the Masters champion to be an absolute belter and it's easy to see why.

Luke Humphries has carried his status of world champion extremely well this season despite probably not winning as many titles as he'd have hoped while Stephen Bunting has continued to produce stellar performances since winning his maiden major - not least a 117.12 average on the European Tour.

Bunting beat Humphries en route to Masters glory before Cool Hand gained emphatic revenge at the UK Open and since then they've traded one victory against each other apiece on the European Tour action.

Ultimately, however, I am backing Humphries to lift this trophy on Sunday night so I feel he'll have just about too much for the Bullet tonight.

Verdict: 11-8

CLICK HERE to bet on Humphries v Bunting with Sky Bet

Jonny Clayton v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Three-Dart Average (2024): 93.88 - 93.93
180s per leg (2024): 0.20 - 0.29
Checkout % (2024): 40.51% - 35.84%

Jonny Clayton's seasonal average of 93.88 may not look too impressive but since the start of July he's managed 99.86 across his 13 games so it was little surprise to reach three figures in his opening-round victory over Raymond van Barneveld.

It was the Ferret's seven 100+ average in this recent return to form and he'll need to maintain it when he faces Dimitri Van den Bergh, who has already lit up this year's World Matchplay with a nine-dart finish.

The Belgian also averaged 99 in an impressively clinical 10-6 victory over an in-form Martin Schindler which will further fuel his belief that he can seriously challenge for a second major of the season having already claimed the UK Open back in March.

Van den Bergh also won a Players Championship title last month and while his very recent form isn't as hot as Clayton's, he's still managed a couple of averages in excess of 107 in recent weeks so I'm including him in my acca at odds-against.

Verdict: 8-11