The opening match of the 2025 World Matchplay will see James Wade go up against Joe Cullen on Saturday night. Wade is worthy of pre-match favouritism, however, I’m keen to back Cullen to come out on top in the 180 battle. 

Experienced campaigner Wade has long had a reputation as a tough nut to crack, but he is not renowned for being a heavy 180-hitter, typically opting for a more methodical approach. That was evident at last weekend’s Baltic Sea Darts Open, with Wade losing the 180 count in three of his four outings, failing to muster up a single maximum in two of those tussles. It’s also worth noting that ‘The Machine’ hit fewer 180s than his opponent in three of his four matches at last year's World Matchplay.

Cullen, on the other hand, can at times be the epitome of a first dart merchant - if he lands a treble 20 with his first throw, the next two can often follow suit. ‘The Rockstar’ crashed in six 180s in his opening victory over Brendan Dolan last year, not to mention he also outmaxed Wessel Nijman 8-5 in his first assignment at the 2025 World Darts Championships.

• James Wade lost the 180 battle in three of his four outings at the Baltic Sea Darts Open last weekend.

• James Wade failed to hit a 180 in two of his four outings at the Baltic Sea Darts Open last weekend.

• James Wade lost the 180 battle in three of his four outings at last year’s World Matchplay.

While it is not the most attractive of odds, I was expecting to see Luke Humphries priced up a little  shorter than 1.44 in his first round clash with Gian van Veen. Thus, I’m more than happy to back ‘Cool Hand’ to get his title defence up and running with a victory on Saturday night. 

The Newbury ace went all the way last year, and he looks more than capable of repeating the feat this summer. While there is no denying that World Youth Champion van Veen is a dangerous first round opponent, Humphries' superior class should see him over the line. The newly-crowned Premier League and US Darts Masters champion could also hold the psychological edge in this clash, having triumphed in four of the overall five meetings between the pair. 

Rising star van Veen was edged out of the Baltic Darts Sea Open by Jonny Clayton last weekend, and world number one Humphries should also prove too streetwise for the young Dutchman on Saturday night.

• Luke Humphries recently won both the Premier League and US Darts Masters.

• Luke Humphries has won four of his previous five meetings with Gian van Veen.

• Gian van Veen suffered an early exit at the Baltic Sea Darts Open last weekend, losing 6-4 to Jonny Clayton.

Nathan Aspinall is a player who I would include in any conversation regarding potential winners of this year’s World Matchplay. The Stockport star has been in tremendous form across the first half of 2025 and he will be quietly confident about his chances of lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy for the second time in the space of two years.

‘The Asp’ entered uncharted territory in this year's Premier League, reaching the play-offs after finishing 3rd in the table behind Luke Littler and Luke Humphries during the regular season. Aspinall has also claimed a couple of European titles this year, not to mention he has also enjoyed multiple deep runs on the World Series of Darts, picking up a pair of wins over Luke Littler along the way.  

Admittedly, Wessel Nijman represents an awkward first round opponent for Aspinall, though the latter did win the pair’s only previous meeting on the Euro Tour at the start of June. While I don’t envisage a landslide victory for Aspinall on Saturday night, he should have enough in the tank to overcome the Dutchman, especially with the backing of the Winter Gardens crowd.

• Nathan Aspinall finished 3rd in this year's Premier League table.

• Nathan Aspinall reached the final of the US Darts Masters last month.

• Nathan Aspinall defeated Wessel Nijman on the Euro Tour at the start of June.