By:
Conor Martin
The quarter-finals of the World Matchplay Darts continue on Friday night at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool with two more mouth-watering clashes.
PDC World Darts Championship winner Luke Littler takes on Andrew Gilding in the first of the quarter-finals at 8:10pm. That clash is followed up by Josh Rock taking on Gerwyn Price in the second quarter-final of the night at 9:40pm.
High-scoring Gilding will target 180’s
World champion Littler, on paper, should have no problem progressing from the last eight on Friday evening with Gilding.
However, Gilding has pushed Littler all the way in games; the pair have met a handful of times in the last 18 months.
Littler secured his quarter-final spot with a dramatic comeback against Jermaine Wattimena. The northerner found himself in big trouble trailing 7-2 but composed himself to prevail 13-1.
Looking ahead to Friday night’s match with Gilding, who has a completely different style of play compared to Littler’s fast-paced style, the northerner said, “You’ve just got to look at what’s in front of you. Andrew Gilding, I’ve played him once before, and you’ve just got to, for myself, find the routine because he’s not the quickest.
“It certainly is going to be a challenge. Obviously, the pace isn’t there for myself, and, like I did at my first Worlds, you’ve just got to find some sort of routine that you can get into, and I’m sure it’ll be a good game.”
Littler’s opponent, Gilding, is playing the darts of his life. Scoring ton-plus averages, beating Damon Heta and Dirk van Duijvenbode.
His scoring has been very impressive with ten and six 180s in his first two games, and now, over the best-of-31, don’t be surprised if he picks up seven on Friday.
You can check out different markets on Friday’s quarter-final with Irish bookmakers.
Luke Littler vs Andrew Gilding tip: Gilding to score over 6.5 180s @11/10
Gerwyn looking to make sure the price is right
Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock is in excellent form and playing some excellent darts. He’s also hungry for more success after winning the World Cup of Darts with his country.
He’s now at a level where he can challenge for titles against the very best, but could come unstuck against the in-form Price.
The Welshman is equally in good form and looks like a man on a mission to win the competition; his celebrations against Daryl Gurney tell you that.
Price looks in control and confident with darts in hand and should have enough to beat the improving Rock in what should be a tense and tight affair.
Josh Rock vs Gerwyn Price tip: Price to win @ 4/5
World Matchplay Quarter-Finals Darts Tips
- Luke Littler to win and most 180s @ 1/4
- Josh Rock to win and most 180s @ 9/4
World Matchplay Darts Odds
Luke Littler vs Andrew Gilding
- Winner: Littler 1/8 | Gilding 15/2
- Handicap: Littler -2.5 2/7 | Gilding +2.5 16/5
- Most 180s: Littler 2/9 | Draw 13/1 | Gilding 17/2
- Highest checkout: Littler 8/15 | Draw 20/1 | Gilding 28/13
Josh Rock vs Gerwyn Price
- Winner: Rock 6/5 | Price 4/5
- Handicap: Rock -1.5 6/5 | Price +1.5 7/10
- Most 180s: Rock 8/13 | Draw 10/1 | Price 2/1
- Highest checkout: Rock 11/10| Draw 20/1 | Price 10/11
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