The Iconic World Matchplay Set to Commence Next Saturday
The iconic World Matchplay, the second-largest PDC title, is set to commence next Saturday at the renowned Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Defending champion Nathan Aspinall will be looking to retain his crown, having clinched the title last year with a dominant 18-6 victory over Jonny Clayton in the final. The Asp will open his 2024 campaign against Luke Woodhouse.
Littler vs. Van Gerwen: The Star Attraction
However, the first-round clash between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen is undoubtedly the star attraction of the tournament. Littler enters the event as the bookies’ favorite, having recently won the Premier League Darts and secured several World Series of Darts titles. Meanwhile, Wayne Mardle, a former World Matchplay finalist, predicts that the final will feature another two Englishmen: James Humphries and Michael Smith.
Favorable Paths to the Final
‘Bully Boy’ and ‘Cool Hand Luke’ both have favorable paths to the final. Smith, who will face his mentor Gary Anderson in the opening round, could potentially meet the winner of the Littler-Van Gerwen match in the later stages. Humphries, on the other hand, will start his journey against German competitor Ricardo Pietreczko, with a potential second-round clash against Stephen Bunting or Ryan Joyce.
Top Form and Past Successes
Both Humphries and Smith arrive at the World Matchplay in top form, having recently teamed up to win the World Cup of Darts for England. Humphries reached the semifinals in Blackpool last year, while Smith was the runner-up in 2019. The stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable tournament, with live scores available for the darts enthusiasts to follow.
“The stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable tournament, with live scores available for the darts enthusiasts to follow.”
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