Betfred World Matchplay Betting Tips

Where else do we start other than the phenomenon that is Luke Littler? At just 17 years old, he will be making his debut in this year's World Matchplay and is quite rightly made one of the bookies' favourites to win the Phil Taylor trophy.

Since bursting onto the scene with an incredible run to the World Championship final at Ally Pally, he's certainly not slowed down. This season, he’s already won the Premier League, he's won a Players Championship floor event, he's won on the European Tour, and he's won on the World Series.

However, the draw on everyone's lips this year has certainly not been kind to ‘The Nuke’ as he has one of the biggest tests in world darts in Michael van Gerwen in Round One. ‘Mighty Mike’ has found it difficult to dominate like he previously has done, and although struggling for form again right now, he has won this title on three previous occasions so I expect him to be bang up for this game.

As I said before, though, this is Littler's debut, but on debut, in previous tournaments or majors, he's certainly not shied away from the task, and I expect him to be dominant once again and come through this tie unscathed.

He's also been drawn into the favourable quarter, in my opinion, with Joe Cullen, Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall all seemingly out of consistent form. If he can navigate his way through MVG in his opening round, I think that will completely settle him down to the famous heat and the noise of the Winter Gardens, and I fully expect him to go close once again in a PDC Major Tournament.

Although not an obvious pick to win the World Matchplay for most, World Number 8, Jonny Clayton, is without doubt one of the most in-form players in the World of Darts coming into Blackpool.

He was starting to show signs this season of a renaissance, and after a tough few years, recently, he's done just that. In the previous 4 events he's played, ‘The Ferret’ has a final on the European tour, a quarter-final in Players Championship 13 and then backed that up with a win in Players Championship 14.

Winning creates confidence, and that's exactly what I think we will now start to see from Clayton. Of course, playing on TV in Majors is different from winning floor tournaments, but he is a previous major winner and will certainly want to stop the rot and put another Major Tournament on his resume.

Clayton will play Raymond van Barneveld in the first round, another tough draw. However, the Dutchman has struggled in majors since his return from retirement, so I expect Clayton to navigate his way through, hopefully with another solid performance to carry on his super form.

He has also been drawn in a tough quarter with World Number 1 Luke Humphries lurking at the top, but by the time Clayton gets to that point, he will have a few games under his belt. In the World Matchplay, you never get an easy ride, so I wouldn't think he’ll worry too much.