It is semi-final Saturday at the World Matchplay with both matches being played in what should be an outstanding session of darts inside the Winter Gardens in Blackpool as we find out who will compete for the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday.
We have the leading three players in the world rankings through to the semi-finals and a dangerous former champion of this tournament so the cast list for Saturday evening could barely be stronger, which should make for a good night of arrers.
Luke Humphries vs James Wade
We begin the night with the world number one and world champion Luke Humphries going up against the former winner of the Matchplay in James Wade in a best of 33 leg match which should provide some excellent darts.
Excellent darts has been the modus operandi for the world champion so far this week and Humphries will be looking for more of the same as he looks to reach the World Matchplay final for the first time. Reaching the final of the Matchplay is nothing new for Wade. He has already done it six times and will be looking to reach the title clash for a first time since 2015. Statistically over the tournament Wade has a bit to find in this match but the numbers from his quarter final win over Ross Smith would have him competitive here if he can replicate that, particularly the 180 hitting which he is going to need to have any chance in this one. We know that Wade plays up to the opponent so that gives him a chance. Even then though, you would have to think that Humphries will need to be slightly off and will need to miss some doubles for Wade to go with him over this distance. I was guilty of writing Wade off in the previous round and I’m a little once bitten twice shy in that regard so I’ll sit and watch the opening semi-final without the need for a bet on it.
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Michael van Gerwen vs Michael Smith
The second semi-final is a repeat of the 2023 World Championship final as Michael van Gerwen, the loser on that occasion, faces the man who beat him on the January night at Alexandra Palace in the shape of Michael Smith.
Van Gerwen has won this tournament in the past which is more than we can say for Smith but the latter will be looking to set up a chance to get his hands on this title with a win here. Smith has played well this week and in Gary Anderson, Chris Dobey and Rob Cross he has already seen off three potential winners of the tournament and he is likely to have to go through the top two if he wants to win the tournament. Van Gerwen started out on this campaign in excellent form although he knew he has to do that because he was up against Luke Littler who would have gladly taken him out if he wasn’t bang on it. Since then though he has gradually got worse and his doubling in the quarter final in particular was a huge concern. 16/54 on the doubles isn’t going to get it done very often at this level and while he was able to outscore Andrew Gilding enough in the quarter final he isn’t going to outscore Smith by as much here so there needs to be a huge improvement in the MVG doubling else he is going home here. I don’t think there is a whole lot between these two and the odd missed dart at a double here or there could be the difference in this one. In a game that close the 6/5 on Smith to win feels value.
Tips
Back M.Smith to beat M.van Gerwen for a 3/10 stake at 2.20 with Spreadex
