The semi-final line up at the World Matchplay in Blackpool will be finalised on Friday night when the last two quarter finals take place inside the Winter Gardens. Four great players are lined up to do battle on what should be an entertaining evening.
We know that Glen Durrant and Michael Smith will battle it out in one of the semi-finals while the likes of Rob Cross and Peter Wright will be looking to secure their spot in the last four on Friday evening.
Rob Cross vs Stephen Bunting (H2H: 2-0)
The first of the second set of quarter finals sees the former world champions Rob Cross and Stephen Bunting doing battle in what is a third career meeting between the two. This is as far as both men have gone in the competition so someone will tread new territory after this match.
Their paths to this stage has been stark in contrast I think it is fair to say. Cross has cruised to this stage, dropping just eight legs in the process while twice Bunting has had to go to a tiebreak to win his two matches. While you have to applaud the Bullet for holding his nerve and running through a left open door, you also have to acknowledge that he needs to improve significantly to win this match.
On what we’ve seen so far in the tournament you would have to suggest that Cross is going to win this match but it won’t take much for Bunting to linger around the handicap line. I don’t feel comfortable on that line either way so the bet I like in this match is for Bunting to hit more than 6.5 180s. You’ve got to think we’re going to see around 25+ legs in this match so we’re only looking for a 180 every 3.5 legs from him, less if he keeps it closer. He hit six in 25 legs in the first round and nine in 26 in the second round. He’s scoring well so I expect to see seven 180s from him here.
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Daryl Gurney vs Peter Wright (H2H: 8-3-15)
The second quarter final of the night sees the two seeded men in the bottom quarter going at it when Daryl Gurney takes on Peter Wright for a place in the semi-final. This is the second time this month they meet after Wright beat Gurney in Vegas recently.
Although Gurney has a fair record against Wright, he has only won one of their last eight meetings, although three of them have been drawn and a couple of the Wright victories have been quite tight. I’m already on Wright outright which I’m happy to use as my interest in the match outcome here but given the way the pair have scored there is one bet which catches my eye here.
Gurney has hit 17 180s in his two matches in the tournament to date while Wright has slammed in 13 in two very one-sided victories so I’m expecting a lot of 180s in a match which is likely to have plenty of legs in it. 16.5 180s is the line for this match which doesn’t look nearly high enough to me. Both won 11 legs in their previous match and they combined for 15 180s. A few more legs should naturally see the two more we need.
Tips
WON – Back S.Bunting – Over 6.5 180s for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with William Hill
WON – Back D.Gurney vs P.Wright – Over 16.5 180s for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
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