World Matchplay semi-final predictions and darts betting tips: Wade to keep rolling back the years

Where to watch the PDC World Matchplay

Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Action from 8pm Saturday.

Best bets

James Wade to beat Jonny Clayton
2pts 5-4 Coral

Josh Rock +3.5 legs vs Luke Littler
1pt 5-6 BoyleSports

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PDC World Matchplay predictions

James Wade spent the aftermath of his World Matchplay quarter-final win over Gian Van Veen arguing that he is often overlooked by the darting world, who prefer to focus on the new kid on the block.

The Machine is right that he is often disregarded by the odds-compilers, and he went off at 80-1 for this tournament, but he has made light work of a number of whippersnappers in his run to the last four.

After a dominant victory over Joe Cullen in which Wade averaged 104, he beat youngsters Wessel Nijman and Van Veen in quick succession, proving the value of experience on the Blackpool stage.

The 42-year-old is a ten-time semi-finalist and won this event in 2007 so will be hoping to roll back the years as he takes on Jonny Clayton in this last-four clash.

Jonny Clayton is a two-time World Matchplay semi-finalistCredit: Mike Owen

The Ferret has been in solid form himself, beating Martin Schindler, Mike De Decker and Stephen Bunting on his way to the semis.

One concern for the world number five will be that only Schindler has really been at his best out of the three opponents the Welshman has beaten.

De Decker averaged just 92 in their round-of-16 tie while Bunting made such a slow start to their quarter-final that the game was effectively over when Clayton made it 5-0.

In his current form, Wade will not let the Ferret off the hook so easily and he looks a decent price to continue to upset the apple cart in Blackpool and reach the final.   

Luke Littler is a warm order to progress to the finalCredit: Getty Images

Luke Littler has survived two big scares to reach the World Matchplay semi-finals as he aims to become the youngest winner of this tournament.

The Nuke blew away Ryan Searle in his opener, averaging 108 in a 10-2 win, but he was made to dig deep to secure a tie-break victory over Jermaine Wattimena in the round of 16 and was pushed all the way by Andrew Gilding last night before edging a 16-14 win.

The world champion faces another tough examination in the last four as he takes on Josh Rock, who has already dumped some big names out of this tournament.

The Northern Irishman was considered darts’ next big thing before Littler came along and after years of struggling to fulfil that potential, Rock seems to finally be managing it.

Josh Rock has been in fine form in BlackpoolCredit: BSR Agency

Rocky reached the semi-finals of this year’s UK Open and alongside Daryl Gurney led Northern Ireland to a first World Cup victory last month.

Rock’s strong performances have continued into the World Matchplay, beating Ross Smith in the first round before taking two big scalps in his next two games, seeing off Michael van Gerwen 13-11 before toppling Gerwyn Price 16-11 in the quarters.

The 24-year-old is in the form of his life and could push Littler all the way in this one. Strangely, this pair have never played each other before but expect their first meeting to be a cracker, and Rock is fancied with a 3.5-leg headstart on the handicap.

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