The 2026 World Matchplay gets underway in Blackpool on Saturday night and our resident darts expert Keith Deller has pieced together an appetising Bet Builder which pays at over 10/1!
Defending champion Luke Littler headlines a star-studded line-up, with other players such as Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock also set to toe the oche on the opening night of action at the fabled Winter Gardens venue.
1983 champion of the world Deller has taken a closer look at all four upcoming matches and assembled a four-fold acca, which should tickle the fancy of anybody of a tungsten persuasion.
Check out his best bets and tips for night one of the World Matchplay below...
World Matchplay Tips - Saturday Night Bet Builder
Josh Rock vs Luke Woodhouse - Over 16.5 Legs
Stephen Bunting to beat Niels Zonneveld
Luke Littler - 2+ 100 checkouts against Niko Springer
Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen - Over 10.5 180s in the Match
Here we go then, the start of what is, for me, the second biggest tournament on the PDC calendar; the World Matchplay.
Make no mistake about it, this is an event every player will be desperate to win and we will see a couple of serious contenders in action on the opening night of play.
Luke Littler is the reigning titlist and will be out to defend his crown, but he will need to be wary of a potential banana-skin in the shape of Niko Springer in his opening assignment.
There's little value in backing The Nuke to win the match, so I am tipping him to land two or more 100+ checkouts across the duration of the match.
Josh Rock tackles Luke Woodhouse in the opener and whilst I do fancy the Northern Irishman to just about get the job done, I envisage this match going at least 17 legs.
Stephen Bunting enjoys the big stage and he will relish the chance to get some early momentum against the dangerous Dutchman Niels Zonneveld.
I feel that Bunting's price to win the match - 8/15 - represents good value so am including that selection as part of my Bet Builder, whilst the final leg of the acca is for 11 or more maximums to be recorded in Nathan Aspinall's tie with Joe Cullen.
This has the makings of a really intriguing clash and we know that both players are pretty adept on that treble 20 bed, so over 10.5 being registered in total looks attractive enough for me.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
