- Michael van Gerwen is the defending champion chasing a fourth Matchplay title
- Five other former winners – James Wade, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Dimitri van den Bergh and Rob Cross – are in the field
- Englishmen have won 22 of the previous 29 Matchplay crowns

- Recommended bets
- Luke Humphries to win and each-way
- Gary Anderson to win and each-way
- James Wade to win first quarter

High summer in the darts world means only one thing – the World Matchplay at Blackpool's famous Winter Gardens.

Last year's finalists and this year's favourites, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, are among the superstars toeing the oche hoping to get their hands on a £200,000 winner's cheque and the Phil Taylor Trophy.

Cool Hand can thrive in Blackpool heat

Luke Humphries is a major winner-in-waiting and his form suggests he has a great chance of finally getting that first major trophy this week.

Cool Hand has bulldozed his way into the world's top eight and stung by a Premier League snub earlier this year continues to impress.

Only this week he won a Players Championship event, not long after he prevailed at the European Matchplay in Germany, his fifth final in a European Tour event this year.

He should make light work of an out-of-form Jose de Sousa in round one which will set him up nicely for a deep run.

Back Luke Humphries each-way @ 12/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Anderson capable of turning back the clock

While Humphries arrives in Blackpool looking for his first major, 52-year-old Gary Anderson heads for the seaside going in search of a 10th – and he is in the form to suggest he can deliver.

He is unseeded but that is largely down to his frugal workload. He is no longer crossing borders in search of ranking points and he will certainly toe the oche well rested having also been spared the springtime ordeal of the Premier League this year.

The Scot won this title five years ago and was runner-up two years later and has a real soft spot for the venue and the format.

And his form stats compare to anyone in the field. He is one of a handful of players averaging over 98 on the Pro Tour and has reached three finals in 2023, winning one. More than that he is a big-occasion player with a throw that will not let him down, even when the games get tight.

Back Gary Anderson each-way at 22/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Wade's Winter Gardens love affair set to continue

Anderson is not the only golden oldie hoping to steal the show at Winter Gardens with James Wade, another former winner, also showing signs of his old self.

Wade, the winner in 2007 and a five-time runner-up, is actually only 40 but just seems to have been around forever.

That longevity keeps him competitive and his love affair with Blackpool cannot be overlooked.

In the recent European Matchplay he beat Jonny Clayton and Rob Cross and averaged 109 in semi-final defeat to Humphries.

He still has the game, we know he loves the tournament and he looks great value to win a quarter where Michael Smith, bedding in new equipment, is the top seed and maybe worth opposing.

Back James Wade to win first quarter at 10/1 with LiveScore Bet.