World Matchplay Darts 2023: Clayton Aiming to Topple the Big Guns

By:

07/12/2023

All roads lead to Blackpool next week as the prestigious 2023 World Matchplay Darts takes place at the iconic Winter Gardens.

A top-class field of 32 players will participate in a tournament that is guaranteed to generate a ton of interest on UK betting sites.

There is little to choose between leading contenders in the outright market for the Matchplay, which makes picking a winner a tough task.

Read on as we take a look at some of the key betting angles to consider for a tournament that always delivers plenty of memorable moments.

Highlights

Van Gerwen a risky betting proposition.
Clayton could be a good each-way shout.
Van den Bergh a potential dark horse.

Reigning Champion May Find it Tough to Defend the Title

Third seed Michael van Gerwen is the 4/1 joint-favourite with Rhino Bet to win the Matchplay for the fourth time in his illustrious career.

The Dutchman defeated Gerwyn Price 18-14 in last year’s final and will fancy his chances of repeating the trick this time around.

Van Gerwen looked in good form at the recent Poland Darts Masters, posting a 113.22 average to defeat Dmitri van den Bergh in the final.

However, having recently undergone dental surgery, the longer format in Blackpool undoubtedly makes Van Gerwen a risky darts betting proposition.

World Cup Winner an Interesting Each-Way Prospect

Jonny Clayton was the star of the show at the recent World Cup of Darts, carrying Welsh teammate Price as they trounced Scotland in the final.

Clayton could be a good each-way bet at a best-priced 20/1 on several new betting sites given the form he showed in that tournament.

He has landed in the same quarter of the draw as number two seed Peter Wright – a player who has struggled to produce his best form since winning the 2022 World Championship.

While the rest of the players in Clayton’s section are all talented, he undoubtedly has the ability to progress to the Matchplay final.

Bookmakers May Have Underestimated Van Den Bergh

Several UK betting sites rate Dimitri van Den Bergh as a 28/1 shot to win the Matchplay and he could make a mockery of those odds next week.

Van den Bergh won the tournament in 2020 and was runner-up the following year – results which demonstrate the Matchplay format suits his game.

He is bracketed to meet Clayton in the second round and would see his odds to win the tournament slashed if he makes it to the last eight.

With Wright out of form and fitness doubts about potential semi-final opponent Van Gerwen, the Belgian’s chances may have been underestimated by the bookmakers.