Betfred World Matchplay first-round predictions and darts betting tips

PDC darts tips, best bets and player analysis for the 2022 Betfred World Matchplay at Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Action, from 7pm Saturday

Best bets

Peter Wright -3.5 v Madars Razma
2pts Evs Betfair, Paddy Power

C Rydz to hit most 180s v D Van den Bergh
1pts 13-5 Betfair, Betfred, Paddy Power

Betfred World Matchplay preview

Peter Wright, rested and refreshed, can use good memories of the Winter Gardens to lay down a marker by seeing off Madars Razma in style on the opening night of the Betfred World Matchplay.

Snakey insists he's in the right frame of mind to successfully defend his title, a title he won emphatically 12 months ago.

Wright crushed Danny Noppert 10-2 in his opener last year, won each of his subsequent matches by at least six legs, and anything like a repeat of that should see him cover a 3.5-leg spread on the handicap.

This is Razma's debut and his big-stage record doesn't invite a ton of confidence.

Callan Rydz is a massive price at 13-5 to out-max Dimitri van den Bergh in their best-of-19 leg showdown.

The Belgian averages a 180 every 3.17 legs on the Pro Tour this season, Rydz one every 3.41, which is nowhere near enough of a gulf to suggest the Geordie prospect should be such a big-priced outsider.

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