The World Matchplay is arguably the second most important tournament of the year after the World Championships and it is a major title that every dart player would love to win, however, this has proved difficult for anyone who isn't Phil Taylor. The Power has been Matchplay Champion 15 times since its first edition in 1994 and he has won the last 7 in a row, so only 5 other players have ever lifted the trophy (Larry Butler, Peter Luison, Rod Harrington, Colin Lloyd and James Wade).
It wouldn't be surprising if we see a new champion this year, especially with World Number 1 Michael van Gerwen in pursuit of his first Matchplay title, he is an obvious choice to win in Blackpool, but he has had a slight dip in form recently including losing to Kim Huybrechts in last weekends European Tour in Düsseldorf although you can never rule the Dutchman out.
The first round draw is as follows:
(Best of 19 Legs)
Michael van Gerwen v Benito van de Pas
Justin Pipe v Jamie Lewis
Simon Whitlock v Jelle Klaasen
Ian White v Stephen Bunting
Peter Wright v Kim Huybrechts
Mervyn King v Andrew Gilding
Adrian Lewis v Joe Murnan
Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price
Phil Taylor v John Henderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton
Dave Chisnall v Jamie Caven
Robert Thornton v Keegan Brown
James Wade v Kyle Anderson
Brendan Dolan v Vincent van der Voort
Gary Anderson v Steve Beaton
Terry Jenkins v Mensur Suljovic
Below I will make a case for some outsiders who I think will have a good run in Blackpool.
Jelle Klaasen
Klaasen is a player who is undoubtedly very talented but until this year he hasn't lived up to his full potential. His throw would be one that I describe as fast, unorthodox and effective. When he is playing at his best he is, in my opinion, one of the most entertaining dart players to watch. His checkout methods can be strange at times but he usually takes them out with good effect, he is especially good at double 18, double 9 and double 6.
He was desperately unlucky in the World Championships not knock out eventual winner Gary Anderson in the last 32. Klaasen found himself 3-1 up, but couldn't cross the finishing line and the Flying Scotsman pulled off a remarkable comeback to win 4-3 with some incredible darts, from that point on Jelle has been improving steadily throughout the first half of 2015. The highlight of this year was when he won a Players Championship event in Wigan on 5th July beating Chirstian Kist, Mark Dudbridge, Gerwyn Price, Adrian Lewis, Daryl Gurney, Rowby-John Rodriguez and Ian White to claim his first PDC trophy.
Just last weekend he had a fantastic Euro Tour event in Dusseldorf where he only dropped 8 legs on his way to the Quarter Final only to lose to eventual winner Robert Thornton 6-4, the most impressive win during that run was a 6-1 demoiltion of Premier League Semi-Finalist Dave Chisnall clocking a 104 average in the process.
The Cobra meets Australian Simon Whitlock in the first round, a very winnable match due to Whitlock's poor form over the last year and I expect to see Klaasen progress to at least the Quarter Final stage where he could potentially meet World Number 1 Michael van Gerwen. That may prove too much to ask from Klaasen, but the sour history between the pair could set up an epic encounter fuelled by emotion.
The legs format that is used in the World Matchplay should suit Klaasen as he is able to keep concentration for a long period of time, he usually comes out of the blocks quickly and he tends to finish matches the same as he started. He is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Recommended Bets: Small bet on Klaasen each way 150/1
Klaasen to win his quarter 18/1
Kim Huybrechts
The Belgian shot to stardom in last years Grand Slam of Darts when he defeated the favourite Michael van Gerwen and hit a 9 dart finish in the same match. This, along with other good performances, earned him a place in the 2015 Premier League where he fell at the first hurdle and was eliminated on Judgement Night, but he wasn't disgraced. He gave the top 9 players in the world a good run and he has every right to be proud of his performances.
In July alone, Kim has reached 2 finals, the first was in a Players Championship event in Wigan where he beat the likes of Steve Beaton, Kyle Anderson and Andrew Gilding but he eventually lost to James Wade in a last leg decider. He then reached the final of a European Tour event in Düsseldorf last weekend where he once again caused an upset by beating MvG in the Semi Final, he also got the better of Jyhan Artut, Brendan Dolan and Michael Smith on route to the Final where he lost to an inspired Robert Thornton. Going by this, I would say that 'The Hurricane' has peaked his form at just the right time.
He has drawn Peter Wright in the first round of the World Matchplay which is a tough match, both players are in good form, but I fancy Kim to get the better of Snakebite to progress into the 2nd round. He is drawn in the 2nd quarter of the draw, which I think is the 'easiest' of the 4 quarters, not saying that it's easy, but there aren't as many in-form players in that section than the other 3. If Kim wins his first round match then he will face either Mervyn King or Andrew Gilding, definitely a match that the Belgian can win.
During that run in the Grand Slam of Darts last year, Huybrechts showed that the legs format is not a problem, he is a consistent player that can keep his best darts going right through a long match, something that is key if you are going to have a good run in Blackpool.
Recommended Bets: Kim Huybrechts each way 66/1
Kim Huybrechts to win his quarter 7/1
Kyle Anderson
Anderson had to dig in deep to secure his place in the Blackpool, but there is no denying that he has the talent to give any player a tough match. The Australian has been creeping up the rankings since he decided to move to the UK last year and is capable of beating any of the top players. People started taking notice of 'The Original' when he hit a 9 darter during the 2014 World Championships which not many players have been able to do and since that he recorded the world record average during a match against Terry Jenkins where he won 6-1 and averaged 134.84 in the process, mind bloggling numbers.
Recently he has been in decent form and deserves some respect from his opponents. I have decided to include Anderson in my predictions due to the draw. I think it has been relatively kind to him as he has drawn James Wade in the first round, it will not be easy to beat the former Matchplay Champion but Anderson leads the head to head stats 2-1 and is capable of extending his lead in those stats. If he were to win then he would meet either Vincent van der Voort or Brendan Dolan in the 2nd round, also a match he is capable of winning in my eyes.
Not saying that Kyle is a certainty to win the event or even go past the first round, but at 300/1 it is worth £1 of my money.
Recommended Bets: Tiny bet Kyle Anderson each way 300/1
Kyle Anderson to win his quarter 25/1
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