Monday evening promises a thrilling spectacle as the World Matchplay Darts tournament unfolds at the Winter Gardens, with four intense first-round matches on the schedule. Among these encounters, the face-off between Gary Anderson and Michael Smith, alongside the duel between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler, are expected to be the evening’s highlights.
Read on to find match-by-match preview and analysis for the World Matchplay Darts 2024 Day 3, culminating in the best bet of the day and an ambitious accumulator to make the most of the night.
World Matchplay Darts Day three 2024 Tips
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Anticipation Builds for Day Three of World Matchplay Darts 2024
Key Stats
– Damon Heta averaged 100.27 in his recent victory over Ryan Searle, who averaged 97.21.
– Gary Anderson boasts a first-nine average of 111.19 in floor events this season.
– Luke Littler has hit a staggering 697 maximums over the past year, second only to Luke Humphries.
Match-by-Match Breakdown and Analysis
Damon Heta vs Ryan Searle
Damon Heta and Ryan Searle, both featuring in the top ten Pro Tour averages this season, are set to provide a captivating contest. Historical data between these two competitors indicates a closely fought match. Their recent encounter in April saw Heta narrowly triumph with an average of 100.27 against Searle’s 97.21, ending in a 6-5 victory for the Australian.
The fact that two of their last four clashes have gone to a deciding leg suggests another nail-biting finish is on the cards.
Gary Anderson vs Michael Smith
Gary Anderson, the 2018 World Matchplay champion, is playing some of his best darts at 53 years old. This season, he boasts a phenomenal first-nine average of 111.19 in floor events, demonstrating his form and consistency.
Despite Michael Smith’s formidable reputation and skills, Anderson’s recent performances make him a strong contender. With Anderson’s high averages and Smith’s known prowess, betting on the number of 180s may offer significant value.
Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Littler
The encounter between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler is another highly anticipated match. Littler, at just 17 years old, has already won multiple prestigious titles, including the Premier League, European Tour, and Players Championship events. Despite Van Gerwen’s historic dominance in darts, his recent form suggests he might struggle to match Littler’s current peak.
Given Littler’s impressive performances over the past year, backing him to cover the 1.5 handicap in 180s looks promising. Littler’s capability to deliver a high number of maximums could be decisive in this match.
Chris Dobey vs Ritchie Edhouse
Chris Dobey, known as ‘Hollywood’, is a player with potential to excel in Blackpool. Dobey has the second-highest Pro Tour average this season, only behind Gary Anderson.
Despite Ritchie Edhouse’s improved form and his first appearance at the Winter Gardens, Dobey’s superior statistics suggest he will dominate this matchup. Edhouse, with an average under 91.5, is likely to struggle against Dobey’s high-scoring prowess. This disparity makes Dobey a strong favourite to win comfortably.
Prediction for World Matchplay Darts Day three
Best Bet of the Day
Chris Dobey vs Ritchie Edhouse – Dobey -2.5 Legs Handicap to Win
Chris Dobey, known as ‘Hollywood’, is poised to make a deep run in this tournament, given his impressive performances this season. Dobey has the second-highest Pro Tour average, only behind Gary Anderson, which showcases his consistent high-level play. His recent success, including a deep run to the quarter-final stages of the World Darts Championship, adds to his credentials.
Ritchie Edhouse, while having improved significantly, faces a daunting task against Dobey. Edhouse’s historical averages in major tournaments have shown a tendency to struggle under pressure, which could be a critical factor in this matchup. Dobey’s superior scoring ability and recent form make him the strong favourite to win comfortably. This prediction is grounded in Dobey’s consistent high performance and Edhouse’s challenges in replicating his usual level in big competitions.
Additional Bets for the Accumulator
Damon Heta vs Ryan Searle – Over 16.5 Legs
Damon Heta and Ryan Searle, both seasoned competitors, have consistently produced tightly contested matches. The fact that two of their last four encounters have gone to a deciding leg highlights the evenly matched nature of these two players. In their most recent clash in April, Heta emerged victorious with a narrow 6-5 win, where he averaged an impressive 100.27 compared to Searle’s 97.21.
This close competition is further emphasised by their standings in the top ten of the Pro Tour averages this season. Heta’s big-stage experience and Searle’s tenacity suggest another extended battle is on the horizon. The prediction for over 16.5 legs stems from their history of close finishes and their ability to maintain high performance under pressure. Given their current form, a lengthy match is highly probable, making this a sensible bet.
Gary Anderson vs Michael Smith – Under 11.5 Total 180s
The clash between Gary Anderson and Michael Smith is set to be one of the evening’s highlights. Anderson, a former World Matchplay champion, is playing some of his best darts, despite his age. His first-nine average of 111.19 in floor events this season is extraordinary, showcasing his ability to score heavily early in legs. However, this scoring does not necessarily translate to a high number of 180s.
Smith, known for his scoring prowess, has also shown a dip in his 180s recently. The under 11.5 total 180s prediction is based on Anderson’s reduced maximum hitting due to his strategic scoring approach and Smith’s similar trend. This bet offers value as both players might focus on consistent scoring rather than aiming for maximums, especially in a high-stakes match like this.
Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Littler – Littler to Win 180s Match
Luke Littler’s rise in the darts world has been nothing short of spectacular. At just 17 years old, he has already claimed multiple major titles, including the Premier League, European Tour, and Players Championship events this season. Littler’s ability to hit 180s has been a significant factor in his success, with only Luke Humphries surpassing his 697 maximums in the past year.
On the other hand, Michael van Gerwen, despite his illustrious career, has shown inconsistencies in recent times. His tendency to switch to treble 19 instead of going for the 180s makes him less likely to match Littler in this department. Backing Littler to get most 180s is a strategic choice, considering his proven track record of delivering high numbers of maximums and Van Gerwen’s current form.
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