Luke Littler is the defending champion
Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson among other players competing
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Defending World Matchplay king Luke Littler has his eyes on another Blackpool trophy and the world champion is 49/50 to take the Winter Gardens prize over the next week.
Littler currently holds just about every major trophy in darts, but odds-on in a stacked field may be a little too short and there is room for some each-way plays against the Nuke.
Iceman can tower over Blackpool rivals
Gerwyn Price has been an infrequent visitor to Players Championship and European Tour events this season, but when the Iceman has made an appearance he has been in excellent form.
The Welshman collected the European Darts Grand Prix crown in April and that followed a Players Championship success in February.
The Markham man is putting up an average of 101.22 across 28 matches on the Pro Tour this term, numbers equalled by only Luke Humphries, and Price is a multiple major winner.
The Iceman has been handed a nice first-round tie against Martin Schindler in Blackpool, a mini section containing Danny Noppert and Rob Cross does not look too taxing, and Price is housed in the opposite half of the draw to defending champion Littler.
There is a lot to like about Price’s chances in Blackpool and the 14/1 on offer makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Back Gerwyn Price each-way at 14/1 with LiveScore Bet.
Flying Scotsman can steam to success
Gary Anderson lifted the World Matchplay trophy in 2018 and the Flying Scotsman retains a peak game to outrun odds of 40/1 in Blackpool.
The two-time world champion is averaging 97.99 on the Pro Tour this season, displaying consistent brilliance.
A run to the semi-finals of last term’s World Championship indicates that the 55-year-old can still mix it with the sport’s top performers and there are few arrowsmiths outperforming the Flying Scotsman on the Pro Tour at the moment.
Anderson can find a way past Ryan Joyce in round one and Michael van Gerwen is the highest-ranked player the Scot can face prior to the semi-finals.
There is little to fear from that draw so, at 40/1, Anderson is a tempting price.
Back Gary Anderson each-way at 40/1 with LiveScore Bet.
Hollywood can be the star of the show
Van Gerwen is the big-hitter in the second quarter of the World Matchplay draw, but MVG is hugely vulnerable and the Dutchman’s early departure could open up the section.
Chris Dobey is in the top-four on the Pro Tour averages this season and the scoring power of Hollywood is a potent weapon.
The Bedlington boy has been threatening a major tournament success for some time and his chances look underrated by quotes of 50/1.
Hollywood is on course for a quarter-final showdown with Anderson, but that would guarantee punters a semi-finalist, should they reach the last eight, and there is enough juice in the prices to play a two-pronged Blackpool attack.
Back Chris Dobey each-way at 50/1 with LiveScore Bet.
