2025 Betfred World Matchplay: Day 3 Betting Tips

• Chris Dobey Over 6.5 180s: 6/5 at Bet365

Chris Dobey has found some form lately after a difficult Premier League campaign, in which he finished sixth. A quarter-final and a semi-final run in the two recent European Tour events will give him confidence coming into Blackpool. He hasn't got the best record here, though, and has fallen at the first hurdle three times in five appearances.

Ricardo Pietreczko lost in the first round on debut last year against Luke Humphries, but the German did average over a 100 in defeat. Just two quarter-finals all year won't do much for his confidence, but he did play well at the World Cup, where he and Martin Schindler had a good run to the semi-finals.

Chris Dobey should come through this match relatively comfortably, so there isn't a lot of value in the result. Hollywood is, however, one of the biggest power scorers on the PDC Tour, so I expect him to fire in plenty again tonight.

• Gerwyn Price Most 180s & Win: 1/1 at Paddy Power

Gerwyn Price is the in-form player in world darts at the moment after winning 22 of his last 25 matches in all competitions. In the last few weeks, he's gotten to the final of the World Cup, won on the European Tour, and in the World Series. When the Welshman is in the kind of mood, he's a danger to anyone, and he'll be licking his lips now Humphries is out of the tournament.

Fresh off a historic World Cup win for Northern Ireland alongside Josh Rock, Daryl Gurney comes into Blackpool this year full of confidence. Superchin has been inconsistent aside from the win, though, and has only reached two quarter-finals all year on tour.

For me, Gerwyn Price looks far too strong, especially when he's in this bullish mood. The sport is in a much better place when he's on song, and I expect him to come through tonight without any problems.

• Michael van Gerwen Most 180s: 5/6 at Ladbrokes

Michael van Gerwen returns to Blackpool this year for his 17th appearance in the World Matchplay. He made it to the final last year, narrowly losing 18-15 to Luke Humphries. This stage has been a happy hunting ground for the Dutchman over the years, and after recent personal problems, this tournament may be a welcome distraction for him.

Five-time World Champion, Raymond van Barneveld, graces the Winter Gardens stage once again tonight, and he'll no doubt be bang up for this one. He may be in the twilight of his career now, but you can never rule out Barney on big occasions like this. He'll be out to prove a point tonight, and I wouldn't put it past the great Dutchman to battle his way to victory tonight.

Barney does, however, have a dreadful record in the Matchplay and has failed to progress past the second round since 2011.

I'm really surprised to see MVG's price to hit the most 180s in this contest, so that's going to be my pick here. Barney hasn't always been the biggest maximum hitter in the world, especially over the last decade, so even if MVG isn't quite on song, he should comfortably outscore his Dutch rival.

• Ross Smith To Win: 11/8 at BetMGM

In a repeat of last year's first-round draw here, Ross Smith will hope for the same in 2025 after beating Rock 10-4 this time last season. Smith has been in blistering form at times this year, and at times has been unplayable. A big run here will see his name well and truly in the mix for the Premier League next year, something which I think he deserves.

Josh Rock was brilliant en route to winning the World Cup alongside Daryl Gurney, and it's clear he has now worked out his game on the big stage. Rock is a danger to anyone in the sport when he's on it, and he's on it far more often than not nowadays.

This is without doubt one of the ties of the first round at this year's World Matchplay, and I can see this being a maximum-fest. Both are a joy to watch when in full flow, but Ross Smith's price here seems far too big for me, so I'd suggest backing him to repeat the result from last year.

• Under 16.5 Legs at 13/8
• Price Over 5.5 180s at 11/10
• MVG To Win at 7/17
• Over 11.5 180s at 2/5

4 Fold: 6.13/1