World Matchplay Day 4 predictions: Four selections for Tuesday's acca
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- Day 4 World Matchplay acca: Pays out at 9/1
- James Wade to beat Nathan Aspinall
- Jonny Clayton to beat Dimitri van den Bergh
- Luke Humphries vs Stephen Bunting over 17.5 legs
- Gerwyn Price vs Ross Smith both players over 5.5 180s
Last year's finalists Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton are among the star turns on night four of the World Matchplay in Blackpool, which features the first four of eight second-round ties.
Reigning champion Aspinall takes on 2007 winner James Wade while last year's runner-up Clayton also takes on a former victor in Belgium's Dimitri van den Bergh.
The other two matches see world number one Luke Humphries tackle Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price take on Ross Smith. All matches are best-of-21 legs.
Tuesday, 7.15pm
Bet 1: James Wade to beat Nathan Aspinall
Six-time World Matchplay finalist Wade has not reached the quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens since 2019 but he has a golden opportunity to end that sorry run.
Impressive in beating No.12 seed Danny Noppert 10-5 in his opener, he now takes on reigning champion Aspinall in the last 16.
Aspinall struggled to get over the line against Luke Woodhouse in his opener, eventually winning 10-8, and is clearly troubled by an elbow injury which he will look to get fixed in the next couple of weeks. The longer format may prove even more painful for The Asp, and former champion Wade can put him in his place.
Tuesday, 7.15pm
Bet 2: Jonny Clayton to beat Dimitri van den Bergh
Clayton is almost back to the form which saw him land Premier League and Grand Prix glory in 2021, and he can take care of former winner Van den Bergh in what should be a high-quality affair.
Van den Bergh hit a nine-darter when seeing off Martin Schindler in round one and the 2020 champion is also in flying form.
But the Welshman has rediscovered his class after struggles on and off the oche and good memories of last year's 11-6 defeat of Van den Bergh at this very same stage can help him over the line.
Tuesday, 7.15pm
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Bet 3: Luke Humphries vs Stephen Bunting Over 18.5 legs
Humphries delivered a classy performance in crushing Ricardo Pietrezcko 10-4 — Cool Hand chucked in a 108 average — but he will do well to put that amount of daylight between himself and Bunting.
Bunting showed all his trademark battling spirit when he got embroiled in a slog with Ryan Joyce, winning 12-10.
Bunting will not go down quietly and it is highly likely he can take this to 18 legs at the very least.
Tuesday, 7.15pm
Bet 4: Gerwyn Price vs Ross Smith both players over 5.5 180s
Expect an explosive contest between Price and Smith who can rack up the 180s.
Maximum specialist Smith only managed three in his first-round duel with Josh Rock, but the match only went 14 legs. Price and Daryl Gurney were also on stage for just 14 legs, the Welshman hitting five maxes.
Expect this to go long-range and a barrage of 180s from two big-hitters.
