2024 Betfred World Matchplay Day Five Preview

Four players booked their spot in the Quarter Finals yesterday including World Champion Luke Humphries, and tonight will see eight more fighting for a spot including the two Michael’s – Van Gerwen & Smith.

Van Gerwen Faces Cullen

Michael van Gerwen will be looking to continue the form that saw him defeat Luke Littler in round one when he takes on stable mate Joe Cullen.

He averaged almost 102 despite an edgy start and after coming through such a nightmare first-round draw, he’ll be extra focused to make it count and go on another lengthy Blackpool run.

MVG will be expected to make relatively short work of Joe Cullen, who has struggled for much of the season, but the Rockstar looked more like his old self with a 100 average in a 10-4 win over Brendan Dolan, in which he also fired in six 180s.

Although his 180s per leg rate is very mediocre by his usual levels in 2024, we should be encouraged by him finding his range on the big stage and he could well find more than MVG tonight even in defeat.

Voltage Faces Heavy Metal

Rob Cross will still be thanking his lucky stars that he’s still in the World Matchplay having survived six match darts against Gian van Veen before seeing the youngster off in a sudden death leg.

Both players averaged over 100 in a thrilling contest and it won’t get any easier for Voltage as he prepares to face Ryan Searle, who produced a stunning performance to thrash Damon Heta 10-4.

Heavy Metal averaged over 101, hit three 100+ checkouts and pinned 56% of his doubles in a ruthless display of finishing so this really feels like a tie that could go either way.

Also on Night Five

Andrew Gilding faces Krzysztof in the second round. Not exactly a tie to get the crowd’s pulses racing at the start of the evening but neither player will care about that as they sense a huge chance to reach the World Matchplay quarter-finals.

The final game of round two will see Michael Smith the newly crowned World Cup winner take on Chris Dobey.

Each day we will be providing you recommend bets in partnership with Betfred.

You can also watch the team straight after the session finishes on our YouTube Channel, when we will bring you The Fallout Bar, plus interviews from every winner. 

Wednesday July 17 (1900 BST)

Second Round x4

Krzysztof Ratajski v Andrew Gilding

Rob Cross v Ryan Searle

Michael Van Gerwen v Joe Cullen

Michael Smith v Chris Dobey