2025 Betfred World Matchplay: Day 1 Betting Tips

• Under 16.5 Legs: 1/1 at Paddy Power

James Wade starts his 20th World Matchplay campaign this evening and comes to Blackpool in fine form. The Machine won his first PDC title since November 2022 at Players Championship 19 when he defeated Scott Williams 8-3 in the final.

Wade previously won this event in 2007 and has five runner-up finishes in 19 appearances, so he clearly loves playing at the Winter Gardens.

Joe Cullen is tough to predict at the moment, and his form has remained inconsistent after showing a brief glimpse of his class at the start of the year when winning a Players Championship title. He's arguably quite fortunate to have qualified here, but he does tend to be a much better player on the big stage.

For me, Wade's consistency will grind Cullen down, and I expect The Machine to come through this contest relatively comfortably.

• Luke Humphries Most 180s: 1/1 at Ladbrokes

Luke Humphries is in red-hot form and looks set to challenge again this year as he hunts down back-to-back World Matchplay titles. The Englishman has won the Premier League and the US Darts Masters over the last few months, so he should come to Blackpool full of confidence.

Gian van Veen is arguably the most exciting young talent in darts right now, but he needs to start getting results on TV. His major form has been inconsistent, although he did have a run to the quarter-final of the UK Open earlier this year.

This looks set to be the tie of the night on Day 1, and the world number 1 wouldn't have enjoyed being handed this first-round draw. The Dutchman could cause an upset tonight if he's on his A game, but he will need Humphries to be slightly off for him to do so.

I'm targeting the 180 market again in this match because I'm shocked to see Luke Humphries at such a big price, even against one of the biggest maximum scorers on tour. Cool Hand can live with the best of them in that department, so 1/1 looks far too big to ignore here.

• Wessel Nijman To Win: 13/10 at William Hill

Nathan Aspinall has done fantastically well to steady the ship and rejuvenate his career over the last 6 months. After suffering with dartitis and injuries, he has managed to get himself back up to World Number 7.

The Asp made the Playoffs of the Premier League, won European Tour 8, and lost in the final of the US Darts Masters, all over the last two months, which highlights his return to the sports elite.

Its no surprise to see Wessel Nijman qualify for the World Matchplay this year, and he's one to watch out for on debut. The young Dutchman has set a light the world of Darts at times since his comeback, and he looks set to conquer the top 32 in the world by the end of 2025.

Wessel Nijman has such a high ceiling, and when he's on it, he can live with the best players in the world. For this reason, I think his price is too big, even with Aspinall in such good form.

I still think The Asp can look a little vulnerable at times and he may get caught out this evening against the impressive Dutchman.

• Cullen Most 180s
• Over 16.5 legs
• Over 16.5 legs
• Asp over 5.5 180s

4 Fold: 9.21/1