Friday’s darts tips
8.15pm: Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
Gilding +5.5 leg handicap
Gilding to win
9.45pm: Michael Smith v Rob Cross
Cross -1.5 leg handicap
Cross to Win Match, Most 180s & Highest Checkout
8pm Friday: World Matchplay Darts 2024
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
TV: Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event
8.15pm: Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
Gilding +5.5 leg handicap
Michael van Gerwen edged past Joe Cullen in the last 16, but against a better player, he might have come unstuck. The Dutchman raced into a 9-5 lead but allowed Cullen back into the contest as his scoring deserted him and he began to look agitated.
The Rockstar rallied but then himself crumbled in the last few legs as Mighty Mike limped over the line. It was typical of the van Gerwen we have seen in 2024. Just when you think he is set to follow up an excellent victory with another dominant triumph, his level drops and it all becomes a bit of a struggle.
The Green Machine has been somewhat fortunate with how the draw has opened up, and he starts as a huge favourite against Andrew Gilding, but I have my doubts about van Gerwen’s ability to win at a canter at the moment. On that basis, I’m happy to side with the underdog on the leg handicap.
Gilding to win
Not only do I like Gilding with the sizeable head start, but I’m also open to the idea that he could cause a shock and come out on top. Deep runs for Goldfinger at major tournaments are few and far between but after a superb display versus Krzysztof Ratajski, this may be one of those weeks where he consistently brings his best to the big stage.
The last time he played this well in a televised event was at last year’s UK Open. On that occasion, he beat van Gerwen 11-10 in the final. And that was a far superior version of Mighty Mike than the current one.
There is a vulnerability about van Gerwen that can be exploited here. The Dutchman seems to be overthinking things on the oche and in the same way that Scott Williams upset the odds to defeat him at the Alexandra Palace in January, Gilding can progress on Friday night if he shows up.
9.45pm: Michael Smith v Rob Cross
Cross -1.5 leg handicap
Rob Cross is playing so well that I think he should be a big favourite to see off anyone besides Luke Humphries or Luke Littler over 31 legs. Michael Smith played beautifully in his round of 32 victory over Gary Anderson but was relatively flat in a nervy win against Chris Dobey on Wednesday.
The third seed admitted that his friendship with Dobey may have affected his performance but it’s hard to ignore the difference between what we saw from Bully Boy and what Cross produced in his triumph over Ryan Searle. Bully Boy’s ‘A’ game would possibly be enough to run Cross close but Voltage doesn’t look like a man that’s ready to be sent packing.
The 33-year-old laid down a marker with his 106.99 average versus Searle, and it would be a surprise if he dropped off now – especially considering his World Series form coming into the Matchplay. Voltage’s game peaked at the perfect time for him to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy in 2019 – beating Smith in the final – and he will take some stopping from here.
Cross to Win Match, Most 180s & Highest Checkout
Exemplary finishing and improved 180 hitting have been features of Cross’ summer. Over the last two months, Voltage has hit more 180s per leg than Smith, and his checkout statistics are much better than Bully Boy’s.
The margins are particularly wide over their first two matches at the Winter Gardens. Cross has hit 0.36 180s per leg compared with Smith’s 0.23, and Voltage’s checkout rate on three-dart combinations is 15.79 percent, while Smith is at 7.14 percent.
I’m willing to ride that wave and double down on the Cross position by having a play on the Voltage match treble.
Friday’s darts tips
8.15pm: Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
Gilding +5.5 leg handicap
Gilding to win
9.45pm: Michael Smith v Rob Cross
Cross -1.5 leg handicap
Cross to Win Match, Most 180s & Highest Checkout
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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