World Matchplay darts: Saturday match-betting preview, free tips & TV details

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The last time Gary Anderson and Danny Noppert met on stage they produced an absolute epic and lightning may well strike twice when they meet again in Blackpool on Saturday night.

It was almost three years ago when Anderson and Noppert clashed in the first knockout round of the Grand Slam, a titanic tussle which went to a deciding leg with the Scot edging the game 10-9.

Not many people knew much about the Dutchman then but just a couple of months later he reached the BDO world final and now he’s a genuine danger to all the big boys on the PDC Tour.

Noppert might not be the worst bet of the opening night of the Betfred World Matchplay at 11-4 and at the very least he can run the defending champion close.

Anderson goes to post slightly undercooked having taken a few months off with a back injury and he admits that because he’s cut down his practice and match schedule he is lacking consistency.

That has to be music to the ears of Noppert, who will have seen Anderson suffer a number of dismal defeats since declaring himself fully fit, none worse than last week’s 6-4 first-round loss to Nico Kurz in the German Masters.

Nathan Aspinall makes his Matchplay debut and is in a rich vein of form but he’ll need to be at his best to battle his way past nuggety veteran Mervyn King.

Twelve years have passed since King made his Matchplay debut, ten since he reached the semis, and he’s definitely on the decline.

The fact, however, that he can still beat Michael van Gerwen, as he did in the UK Open in March, and qualify for majors shows he’s got a game. King will be presented with a fair few big outshots by The Asp and may well have to take one or two.

Back him to hit the first ton-plus checkout at 11-10 with the sponsors with money back if neither man pockets one.

Recommendations
D Noppert +2.5
1pt 11-10 BoyleSports
M King first ton-plus checkout
1pt 11-10 Betfred

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