PDC World Matchplay: Longer game should help Littler 180s in a 4/1 bet on finals night

---

World Matchplay Day 10 - Sunday 26 July

Click here for Luke Littler for Gerwyn Price odds
World Matchplay Final
Sunday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports

Luke Littler is on the vergy of history. After four stunning performances at the Winter Gardens he is set to smash the World Matchplay tournament average of 106.31 - set by Phil Taylor in 2010 - if effectively just turning up for tonight's final against Gerwyn Price.

In his four victories this week, Littler has recorded averages of 109.53, 113.68, 109.57 and 110.88, giving him a tournament three-dart average of 110.92. This means that all Littler has to do tonight to break Taylor's record is record an average of at least 88.

And the last time Littler failed to record an average of at least 88 he was probably still in nappies!

So Littler is going to create more history this evening, and he's very likely to do so by beating Price to retain his World Matchplay title. But at 1/101.10 in the match odds, you don't need me to tell you that. So for a bet we have to look elsewhere.

Go high on 180s again in a Littler win

Last night we came close to landing a 4/15.00 winner but Littler 'only' threw 16 maximums instead of the required 18. That was largely down to the number of legs played in the match, with Littler thrashing Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5. If the match goes another two or three legs, the bet lands.

Given the above, and the stats we have to hand, we have to go in with the same bet again, though it's at least 20 maximums in a Luke Littler win this time, at the same price of 4/15.00.

The astonishing youngster has thrown an incredible 54 maximums this week in just 80 leg played, that's a rate of one maximum every 1.48 legs of darts. That means if he is to continue at this rate, he'll need to play 29 or 30 legs tonight to throw 20 maximums.

And the good news here is that Price has performed better as the week has gone on, and he always pushes Litter a long way in the big head-to-heads. It was 10-9 to Littler in the Premier League semi-final earlier this year, 5-4 to Littler in the World Masters and 11-8 in the Players Championship semi-final at the end of last year, again to Littler.

So assuming Price can win at least 11 legs tonight, meaning the match will have at least 29 legs, then Littler with have an excellent chance of throwing 20+ maximums.

Of course, Littler can still get to 20 maximums even if he thrashes Price, he's that good, but the more legs the better would be ideal, as long as the world number one wins of course.

---

World Matchplay Day 9 - Saturday 25 July

Gerwyn Price 8/151.53 v Gian van Veen 6/42.50 (20:00)

Credit must go to Gerwyn Price who said after his second round win that he has to improve to keep going in the tournament, and he did exactly that. Price added five points on to his three-dart average, registering 102.78 in his quarter-final win over Ross Smith, while also throwing 10 maximums.

Gian van Veen has somehow made it to the semi-final despite being far from at his best. He averaged just 93.04 in his win over James Wade and threw just four maximums. It's his excellent finishing at crucial times that has got him this far in the World Matchplay.

I fancy Van Veen's luck will run out against a determined Price who is getting better as the week goes on, but rather than back him at 8/151.53 to win the match, take the 1/12.00 about him doing so while throwing the most 180s. The stats suggest it's a big runner.

Luke Littler 1/331.03 v Dirk van Duijvenbode 12/113.00 (21:30)

Even at the peak of his powers (no pun intended) 16-time world champion Phil Taylor wasn't 1/331.03 to win a single darts match. Such are the levels Luke Littler is taking the game, and the performances he's produced this week, he's impossible to oppose - and impossible to back in the match odds market - when the takes on Dirk van Duijvenbode in Saturday night's semi-final.

Littler has hit averages of 109.53, 113.68 and 109.57 in his three matches this week, has hit more maximums than any other player - by a mile - has taken out some big finishes, and has thrown a nine-darter.

That just leaves the big fish to take out on route to winning the tournament to cap a quite brilliant week.

As for tonight's game the bet that stands out given the stats is Littler to win the match and throw 18+ maximums at 4/15.00.

The world number one hit 17 maximums in his 16-7 win over Josh Rock, and with the potential to play more legs tonight (we're now best of 33) should Van Duijvenbode keep him honest, hitting just one more 180 in a victory should give us a good run for our money.

---

World Matchplay Day 7 - Friday 24 July

Ross Smith 29/202.45 v Gerwyn Price 4/71.57 (20:00)

We didn't get to see if Ross Smith could follow up his excellent first round victory over Kevin Doets - where he recorded a 100+ average and hit seven maximums - due to his second round opponent, Cameron Menzies, unfortunately having to withdraw through illness.

If it's any guide at all, Smith was averaging over 100 for the three legs played and he had already hit three maximums before the game was halted, so the signs are the he's in great form and will relish a match against Gerwyn Price.

Price hasn't been at his best this week and has admitted he needs to improve in Friday night's quarter-final. He's averaging around 95 for the tournament and despite playing 17 more legs than Smith, he's hit just one more maximum than the Englishman (11 v 10).

Gian van Veen 3/41.75 v James Wade 11/102.11 (21:30)

Although recording an excelleng win over in-form countryman Wessel Nijman in the second round, World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen still looks below his best, and a tournament average of around 95 might not be good enough against World Matchplay stalwart James Wade.

Wade has averaged over 98 for the tournament so far and he's hit 11 maximums, which is six more than van Veen for the week despite playing six fewer legs. The Englishman just knows how to get the job done, and the stats suggest he'll do so again on Friday night.

---

World Matchplay Day 6 - Thursday 23 July

Dirk van Duijvenbode 9/52.80 v Gary Anderson 4/91.44 (20:00)

Gary Anderson recorded a second round three-dart average of some 10 points lower than he recorded in his first round win, but he was still way too good for Jonny Clayton, running out an 11-7 winner. He's won his last three matches against Dirk van Duijvenbode, and he's won by four clear legs (10-6) and five clear legs (7-2) in the last two of those three meetings.

However, it's Van Duijvenbode who has hit more maximums and 140+ scores during this tournament, so while we can be confident about a win for the Flying Scotsman, we're not convinced he'll hit the most 180s. The thinking is that Anderson is most likely to win the match, but he may not hit the most maximums.

We can back that scenario at 10/111.91 in the Winner and Most 180s market courtesy of the 'Neither' option. The bet will be a winner whoever wins the match as long as that same person doesn't hit the most 180s.

Luke Littler 1/121.08 v Josh Rock 7/18.00 (21:30)

Luke Littler has been simply sensational in this tournament so far, recording the 10th highest three-dart average in th history of the World Matchplay in his first round win, before going even better in his second round, recording an average of 113.68, the second highest in the tournament's history.

He also hit a magical nine-darter in that remarkable performance against Nathan Aspinall, came within a whisker of hitting a second, fired in 14 maximums and came extremely close to reeling in the big fish.

---

World Matchplay Day 5 - Wednesday 22 July

Cameron Menzies 6/42.50 v Ross Smith 11/201.55 (19:00)

Ross Smith has won his last three meetings with Cameron Menzies including a 7-0 win at the International Darts Open in May. He was excellent in his first round victory, recording a 100+ average, hitting a 160 finish and firing in seven maximums. Menzies pulled off one of the shocks of tournament when beating Luke Humphries, but he'll do well to contain an in-form Smith on Wednesday night.

Gian van Veen 29/202.45 v Wessel Nijman 4/71.57 (20:00)

While Wessel Nijman is the upcoming Dutch star, he was no more impressive in his first round win over Dave Chisnall than World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen was in beating Krzysztof Ratajski. Van Veen has won four of his last five meetings with his Dutch counterpart and he should give punters a great run for their money here as the outsider.

Gerwyn Price 8/131.61 v Rob Cross 27/202.35 (21:00)

Despite being far from at his best Gerwyn Price still hit four maximums in his first round win, while Cross hit three in 13 legs in his first round victory. Those numbers are well below what they can produce at their best, and these two players have had some fantastic battles in recent years. Now first to 11 legs, and in the hope that this match goes a long way, backing Over 10.5 180s looks well worth a wager.

James Wade 5/61.84 v Ryan Searle 1/12.00 (22:00)

As the odds suggest this could be a very close game and don't be surprised if we see at least 21 legs, which is good news if you're backing a high number of maximums. James Wade hit seven maximums in 17 legs in his first round win over Jermain Wattimena as well as one 100+ finish, so backing him to hit just six 180s here, along with two 100+ finishes, looks a decent price.

---

World Matchplay Day 4 - Tuesday 21 July

Johnny Clayton 11/102.11 v Gary Anderson 3/41.75 (19:00)

Gary Anderson was in stunning form during his first round win over Ryan Joyce, recording the eighth highest average (109.96) in the tournament's 32-year history. He recorded five maximums during the match (only 12 legs played) and hit back-to-back 180s to commence his first leg. He's 15/82.88 to hit a maximum in the first leg but if you want a bet to keep you interested throughout the match then the 9/43.25 about him commencing any leg with six perfect darts appeals.

Michael van Gerwen 11/201.55 v Dirk van Duijvenbode 6/42.50 (20:00)

Dirk van Dujivenbode's last three defeats to Michael van Gerwen will have all been painful given that one was in the World Championship, one in the Dutch Masters (the nationality of both players), and the other in a Players Championship final. He was beaten convincingly on all three occasions so Van Gerwen will be confident of getting the job done with room to spare.

Luke Littler 1/51.20 v Nathan Aspinall 15/44.75 (21:00)

Like Anderson, Luke Littler also put in a brilliant performance during his first round win over Niko Springer, averaging 109.53, the 10th highest three dart average in World Matchplay history. He hit seven maximums (15 legs) in that game, but Tuesday night's opponent Nathan Aspinall hit nine maximum (also 15 legs) in his first round while while having a very healthy average of his own (105.32). This could be a belter of a second round game.

Josh Rock 21/202.05 v Stephen Bunting 4/51.80 (22:00)

Stephen Bunting was involved in a thriller during his first round match, being taken all the way before beating Neils Zonneveld 13-12. His average of 94.49 was a few points down on his 2026 three dart average and he hit just five 180s during those 25 legs. Josh Rock averaged just 90.42 in his first round win and hit just two maximums, so while this game has the potential to go the distance, the 180s line at Under/Over 11.5 presents an excellent opportunity for a wager.

---

World Matchplay Day 3 - Monday 20 July

Ross Smith 1/12.00 v Kevin Doets 5/61.84 (19:00)

Kevin Doets has lost three of his last four matches against Monday's opponent Ross Smith, though this will be the first meeting in a televised stage tournament. An interesting stat is that Doets is averaging 94.12 this year given that the line here is Over/Under 95.5.

Gerwyn Price 5/181.28 v Martin Schindler 14/53.80 (20:00)

From late February to early June this year Gerwyn Price went on a run of 18 consecutive tournaments where he reached at least the quarter-finals, winning three of those events. Martin Schindler hasn't gone beyond the last 32 in his last nine tournaments and has lost the last four meetings with Price, and by at least four legs in the longer format matches (first to 10 legs or more).

Luke Humphries 1/71.14 v Cameron Menzies 19/45.75 (21:00)

Luke Humphries has reached the final in all of his last eight tournaments, winning three of them including the prestigious PDC Premier League. He leads the head-to-head record against Cameron Menzies 6-2 but seven of those eight matches have resulted in either player winning by no more than two legs, including five that went to a final leg decider.

Danny Noppert 13/102.30 v Rob Cross 5/81.62 (22:00)

Two of the last three meetings between Danny Noppert and Rob Cross have gone to a last leg decider (10-9 and 6-5 to Cross) while the other game was a 6-4 win for Noppert. So in the hope that this is another game that goes the distance between two heavy 180 hitters there will be plenty of chances for either player to start a leg with six perfect darts.

---

World Matchplay Day 2 - Sunday 19 July

Ryan Searle 4/71.57 v Willie O'Connor 11/82.38 (19:00)

Ryan Searle has reached the last 16 in all of his last six tournaments and has a 7-2 head-to-head record against Willie O'Connor, with six of those seven victories won by at least three clear legs.

James Wade 4/71.57 v Jermaine Wattimena 11/82.38 (20:00)

Jermaine Wattimena is averaging 94.54 for all tournament played in 2026 and he has won his last four matches against his first round opponent James Wade.

Gian van Veen 4/61.67 v Krzysztof Ratajski 6/52.20 (21:00)

Gian van Veen has failed to win any of the 47 tournaments he's played in since winning the World Youth Championship in 2025, and he lost to Krzysztof Ratajski just last month when the Polish Eagle went on to win the European Darts Open.

Wessel Nijman 1/61.17 v Dave Chisnall 4/15.00 (22:00)

A winner of eight tournaments already this year (floor and stage) Wessel Nijman has never lost o Dave Chisnall and this season has a much higher average than the Englishman as well as hitting more 180s per leg on average.

---

Bookmark our Horse Racing page for daily racing tips.

---