Maximums may come at a premium in semi-final tussle

World Matchplay
Sky Sports Action & Main Event, 7pm Saturday

Peter Wright claims Daryl Gurney “owns the stage” at the Winter Gardens at the moment, but the Northern Irishman faces eviction when the pair clash in the first semi-final of the World Matchplay.

Gurney has looked totally at home in Blackpool where he has seen off three seeds, including world number two Gary Anderson, to get to his second Major semi-final.

But his first semi-final – at the Coral UK Open in March – ended in defeat at the hands of Wright and the same outcome is anticipated this time.

It’s not a total surprise that Gurney has reached the last four. He is unseeded but he is provisionally inside the world’s top 16 after his run in Blackpool and earlier this month he reached the final of the US Masters where he gave Michael van Gerwen a game.

That was Superchin’s fifth final of the year and the mettle he showed in fending off Mensur Suljovic in the last eight was probably more revelatory than when he overcome a flaky Anderson a round earlier.

But the 31-year-old former plumber knows he’ll get few free darts out of Wright, who has grown into the tournament.

Shaky against James Wilson in his opener, the Scot has powered back with a devastating demolition of Cristo Reyes followed by a solid effort against in-form Darren Webster. He registered ton-plus averages in both those matches.

Chasing a tenth title of a magnificent 2017, Wright had beaten Gurney seven times in a row (four of those this year) before the Northern Ireland ace got his own back in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Gurney won that 8-7, taking advantage of the fact that Wright missed twice as many doubles – 16-8 – as his opponent. That won’t happen very often with the world number three.

The odds look spot on with Wright’s pedigree and winning habit making him a slight favourite.

A bet to consider is under 19.5 180s at evens.

Only once since the semi-finals went to a best-of-33 format in 1999 has there been a semi-final which has produced more than 19 maximums.

Both men’s quarter-finals went long-range – Gurney won 16-13 and Wright 16-12 – yet between them they amassed 18 maximums. It’s quite possible that at some point the magnitude of what Gurney has achieved will catch up with him and his scoring, under pressure, could suffer.

Recommendation
Under 19.5 180s in D Gurney v P Wright
2pts Evens Betfair, Paddy Power