World Matchplay day five predictions: 11/10 shot Dobey to head acca joy![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
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![Chris Dobey could get the better of Bully Boy Michael Smith once again.](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/31122023/cb435d2d-fbf4-4021-89a5-cd12b6867df5.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
- Wednesday's World Matchplay acca: Pays out 10/1
- Chris Dobey to beat Michael Smith
- Michael van Gerwen -2.5 v Joe Cullen
- Andrew Gilding Over 91.5 average v Krzysztof Ratajski
- Rob Cross v Ryan Searle Over 18.5 legs
Michael van Gerwen returns to the Winter Gardens stage 48 hours after dumping Luke Littler out of the World Matchplay - but it doesn't get any easier for the Green Machine.
Three-time champion Van Gerwen defied the odds to beat man of the moment Littler but is the clear favourite to see off Joe Cullen in round two.
It should be a cracker with this meeting one of four Wednesday night thrillers, with places in the quarter-finals up for grabs. All matches are best-of-21 legs.
Bet 1: Chris Dobey to beat Michael Smith
Michael Smith is out for revenge against his nemesis Chris Dobey, but it's Hollywood who can defy the odds to send Bully Boy packing in round two.
This is their first stage meeting since Dobey thrashed Smith 4-0 in round four of the World Championship in December and also a repeat of last year's second-round Matchplay tie which the gritty Geordie won 11-7.
He's got the measure of Smith, who saw off an out-of-form Gary Anderson in round one but missed a stack of doubles himself. Dobey is playing well - he has reached two Pro Tour finals this year - and can land the odds.
![Michael van Gerwen looks a force to be reckoned with in Blackpool.](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/75/ab/2_72353664.jpg?t=1461560553&operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Bet 2: Michael van Gerwen -2.5 v Joe Cullen
Van Gerwen might have been feeling sorry for himself after a poor season so far but the switch was flicked on Monday night when he saw off boy wonder Littler.
The self-belief came flooding back and even not at his astounding best - though a 101.9 average is none too shabby - he looked like a force once again.
He really ought to be way too strong for Cullen, who made light work of beating Brendan Dolan 10-4 in his opener but wasn't pushed. Rock Star had gone to Blackpool on the back of six straight first-round losses in Players Championship events with double trouble, a scourge of his early career, rearing its head again.
He was better on the outer ring against Dolan but there is a sense a revived Van Gerwen can see the Yorkshireman off routinely, by at least three legs.
Bet 3: Andrew Gilding Over 91.5 average v Krzysztof Ratajski
As a former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding knows he belongs on the big stage so don't expect Goldfinger to go down meekly against Krzysztof Ratajski - indeed he may not go down at all.
These two met two weeks ago in a Pro Tour event - away from the cameras, admittedly - and Gilding won 6-4, rattling in four maximums and a 94 average.
He also averaged 94.35 beating Peter Wright in round one so there is every reason to think he can average over 91.5 against the Pole.
Bet 4: Rob Cross v Ryan Searle Over 18.5 legs
Rob Cross was involved in a first-round epic against Gian van Veen, a match which went the distance with Voltage sneaking home 13-12.
It doesn't get any easier for Cross with Ryan Searle joining him on stage after sweeping aside Damon Heta 10-4 with a display of high-class finishing.
Cross is the seed but there doesn't look a lot between these two and this could well go long-range.