2016 World Matchplay quarters: MvG and Jackpot to pip Chizzy and Snakebite to semis
Published:
Holly Thackeray | July 20, 2016
2016 World Matchplay
- Quarter-finals
- Thursday, July 21st
- Session from: 19:15 BST
- Winter Gardens, Blackpool
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Van Gerwen defiant in title defence as Dutchman eyes final four
The 2016 World Matchplay has more than lived up to its dazzling reputation among darts fans as a must-see competition so far, with several seeded PDC stars such as former finalist Raymond van Barneveld and previous winner James Wade ousted from the first round.
Already, the last eight have been decided and the first quarter-final clashes will takes place on Thursday evening in the grand setting of the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
The ambitious quartet of title holder Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright all navigated their second round rumbles with ease, and now compete for a spot in the semis.
Warning message sent to @chizzychisnall from @mvg180 ahead of their quarter-final match up at the #BVDartshttps://t.co/C9PDFBu9Fi
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 19, 2016
Only two can emerge triumphant as bulldozing dartsman MvG meets in-form Chizzy and Jackpot jostles for prominence in what should be a close wrangle with Snakebite.
Read on for our round up of the best bets, and while you’re at read our preview for Friday’s quarters contests too, which feature Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor among others.
Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis
Good runs in Majors need to be turned into trophies, so back this contest to be the closest of the round, and 7/4 to be the match with most maximums on the night with so much at stake and players so similar in ability.
Punters can also opt for a nine-darter to occur on the evening in either match at 8/1, but it was Lewis who lit up the Premier League with his previous perfect leg a few months back and he’ll be itching to do the same in the Empress Ballroom.
Jackpot is the slight odds-on 4/5 favourite with Coral for the spoils in this scuffle, and with good reason. The potent Potter has won double the amount of darting duels with Snakebite, silencing the serpent 16 times to eight.
This pair have never faced off in the World Matchplay before but have encountered each other six times on the oche already this calendar year, with Lewis winning four of those and drawing once.
Congratulations to #SCFC supporter @jackpot180 on his last 16 victory at the World Matchplay in Blackpool this evening. #potternation
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 19, 2016
Their last joust in Japan, at the Tokyo Masters quarters, ended 6-8 to the Englishman and another narrow victory, this time by a 16-14 scoreline, on home soil is a 10/1 shout. Though, if you fancy Wright to overcome his long-time foe, the Scot is available at even-money for match success.
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
With that in mind, MvG is tempting at both 2/1 and 15/8 for individual highest checkout and most player maximums on Thursday night.
After averages of 105.85 and 102.97 in the Dutchman’s dominant opening performances, it is tough to give opponent Chisnall (5/1 for the match) a chance against a man who has proven his nemesis of late.
The Green Machine of darts’ odds of arrow success at 1/8 are more than justified after 29 triumphs over his tungsten challenger, compared to Chizzy’s nine blows back.
After seven successive wins against the English arrowsmith, including in three of the four recent 2016 World Series events, Chisnall is up against it. So, best value could be had at 11/1 for an MvG victory by 16-12, a repeat of the result last time these two tussled at this stage of the World Matchplay in 2014.
Very happy with another good win and my performances so far. It’s going pretty well but still plenty of work to do. Thanks for support 🙂
— Michael Van Gerwen (@MvG180) July 19, 2016
As he continues his charge, revived Van Gerwen is now 5/6 to retain his title – can anyone halt him?
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