I fancy Gian van Veen and James Wades’ match to go at least 28 legs on Thursday night. This will be the first of this week’s four quarter-final ties, which means that the format will now shoot up to a race to 16. While both players won comfortably in round two, I am expecting the duo to push each other to their limits on Thursday night.

The over 27.5 legs line would require each arrowsmith to win at least 12 legs each, which looks well within the realms of possibility. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this showdown produced 30+ legs or for it to be forced into extra time. Both van Veen and Wade have been hitting 140s for fun across the opening two rounds, so I don’t see either player running away with this one comfortably.

It’s also worth noting that the pair’s one and only previous meeting on a big TV stage to date was at the European Championships in 2023, with Wade winning that contest 11-9. I’m anticipating another tight tungsten tussle this time around, especially given the magnitude of the match.

I expect to see plenty of 180s when Stephen Bunting faces Jonny Clayton on Thursday night. Both players have been frequently filling up the treble 20 bed throughout 2025, and they have continued in that vein at the Winter Gardens. 

Bunting crashed in 10 maximums in his round one win over Ryan Joyce and he has since racked up eight in his round two thriller with Gary Anderson. As for Clayton, he has totted up a combined total of 17 180s across the first two rounds, landing eight against Martin Schindler, and then nine when defeating Mike De Decker. 

What’s more, Bunting’s first two assignments generated 14 and 15 match 180s respectively, while each of Clayton’s opening two matches saw both players combine to deliver 14 maximums.  Thus, I’m more than happy to side with the pair to produce 20 or more 180s between them on Thursday night. As mentioned, there will be a significant increase in the format of matches from this stage onwards, so there are more potential legs for the players to increase their 180 counts. The Blackpool crowd can expect to be treated to a barrage of 180s here.