World Matchplay 2025 betting preview: Price is right for Gerwyn to end major hoodoo

The World Matchplay is arguably the second biggest event in darts outside of the World Championship.

Indeed, the £200k prize money for the winner is the second highest cheque across the PDC, while the prestige of winning the tournament is second only to becoming world champion.

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All the greats have won it. Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries to name but a few. This year certainly feels wide open, however, as several players could lay claim to being title contenders.

Held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool since1994, this year will mark the 32nd year of the event.

The first round has thrown up some exciting ties. Number one seed Humphries takes on rising Dutch star Gian van Veen. 

Elsewhere, Van Gerwen faces Raymond van Barneveld while Gerwyn Price takes on Daryl Gurney in what is a repeat of the epic clash between Wales and Northern Ireland at the World Cup.

We here at FIRST delve into the betting markets to find some value ahead of the arrows this weekend. 

The favourites

As ever, Humphries and Luke Littler lead the betting market and for good reason. Since the older Luke won his first PDC major at the 2023 World Grand Price, the pair have claimed 13 major titles between them.

The pair are the top two seeds, so wont face each other until the final providing both make it that far.

In their last major final, Littler lost to Humphries in the Premier League and his last title anywhere came at the UK Open in March. He is 7/4 favourite with BetMGM.

Humphries, on the other hand, can be backed at 7/2 to defend his title this year. Given the Matchplay throws up plenty of surprises, these odds are rather short.

Rather, Price is a far more enticing option, especially considering his recent form. Just last week, the Welshman won the Baltic Sea Darts Open, thrashing Gary Anderson 8-3 in the final.

This came a few weeks after winning the Poland Darts Masters and what better place to end his major hoodoo than at the World Matchplay?

Indeed, since his 2022 World Series Finals victory, Price has lost two major finals, while he has finished runner-up at this event three years ago.

Should he carry his recent form into Blackpool, Price is the man to beat.

FIRST’s top tip for 2025 World Matchplay

Pick: Gerwyn Price to win the World Matchplay – 9/1 with BetMGM

Extra tips

Gary Anderson enjoyed an excellent run to the final of the Baltic Sea Darts Open, beating Jonny Clayton and James Wade in the process.

The Scot may not have won a major title since 2018, but he does have an excellent record at the Winter Gardens. Along with victory in 2018, he reached the final in 2020 while also reaching the semi-finals in 2014 and 2016.

He has a decent draw and at 20/1 with BetMGM, there is plenty of value there for a potential each-way bet on the two-time major champion.

Another player with a draw that opens up quite nicely is Clayton. He faces Martin Schindler in the first round, before a clash against either Dave Chisnall or Mike de Decker awaits in the second round.

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He finished runner-up to Nathan Aspinall two years ago and the Welshman has reached the semi-finals or better in three of his four major appearances in 2025

As such, odds of 33/1 with BetMGM are very tempting indeed.

Aspinall has impressed me this season as he aims to claim another major title. He is 20/1 with BetMGM to claim a second World Matchplay, but he is in the same half of the draw as Humphries, who he could face in the quarter-finals. 

Since the start of 2024, Aspinall has won just five of 17 matches against the 2024 world champion, hence my hesitation to back him. The odds are generous, however, especially considering he is a previous champion of the event.

Pick: Gary Anderson to win the World Matchplay - 20/1 e/w (BetMGM)

Pick: Nathan Aspinall to win the World Matchplay - 33/1 (BetMGM)

The value picks

Such is the nature of the tournament, there can be plenty of shocks and surprises along the way.

Damon Heta has showcased recently why he deserves to play in these high quality events. The Australian reached the quarter-finals of the World Masters, along with reaching the final of the European Darts Open earlier this year.

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With two Players Championship victories in 2025, Heta has the game to take down anyone in the world when at his best. The 37-year-old can be backed as high as 50/1 via BetMGM ahead of the event.

Daryl Gurney is someone I quite like the look of, despite the fact he faces Price in his opening round. His performance for Northern Ireland at the World Cup may well have given him a massive boost heading into the second half of the season. 

Odds of 125/1 with BetMGM signify he is a long shot, but should the Irishman get over the line against Price, there is no reason why he cannot go far in this tournament.

FIRST’s value pick for the 2025 World Matchplay

James Wade knows what it's like to win the World Matchplay, claiming victory in 2007. The Englishman has reached a further five finals at the event, while he enjoyed a superb run to the semi-finals last year.

His form in 2025 has been solid. Another UK Open final appearance earlier this year, along with winning a Players Championship event recently. Just last week, he reached the semi-finals of the Baltic Sea Darts Open.

A second round clash against Aspinall potentially awaits, but at this stage of his career, nothing should faze Wade.

Pick: James Wade to win the World Matchplay – 50/1 with BetMGM

FIRST's recommended sports betting sites for the World Matchplay

Our experts have put their heads together to come up with some of the best UK bookmaker sites to make your most informed and best value plays.

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Odds correct at the time of writing.