Luke Humphries Most Tournament 180s

Pre-tournament favourite Luke Humphries is a prolific 180-hitter and he looks worth supporting to hit the most maximums at this year’s World Matchplay. Not only did ‘Cool Hand Luke’ leave the Ally Pally with the World Championship trophy, but he also bagged the inaugural Ballon d'Art - a separate accolade awarded to the player who hits the most 180s at the showpiece tournament. In fact, no other player on the PDC circuit has plundered in more maximums than Humphries over the past 12 months, with the world no. 1 racking up no fewer than 707 180s. The reigning world champion was hitting 180s on a consistent basis across the 17-week darting roadshow that is the Premier League. Humphries fired in 107 maximums en route to the final, a tally only marginally bettered by Luke Littler’s 114. However, it is worth pointing out that eventual winner Littler played three more games than Humphries in this year’s Premier League. Given that Humphries is the favourite to win this year’s World Matchplay, coupled with the fact that he is on the more favourable side of the draw, a deep run is expected, and that should coincide with a high 180 return.

Gerwyn Price to win Quarter 2

While Gerwyn Price hasn't exactly set the darting world alight of late, his performance levels have been extremely consistent throughout the season. The Iceman’s 98.05 average over the last 12 months is among the highest in the 32-player field, with only Luke Humphries (99.13) and Gary Anderson (99.29) posting healthier returns across that period. And on top of that, Price ranks sixth (453) for the amount of 180s he has crashed in across the last year of action. Finishing as runner-up in last month’s US Darts Masters before going one better seven days later at the Nordic edition should see Price arrive in Blackpool brimming with confidence. Being housed in a quarter of the draw that doesn’t include the likes of Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith is also an added bonus for the Welshman. Nathan Aspinall will be regarded as Price’s biggest threat in this bracket of the draw, but the defending World Matchplay champion is currently being troubled by injury. Price is the firm favourite to come through his quarter and on current form he looks primed for an assault on the latter stages in Blackpool.

Rob Cross to win Quarter 4

Number six seed Rob Cross has said himself that he feels like he is rediscovering the form that catapulted him to the world title in 2018. ‘Voltage’ emerged victorious at the Baltic Sea Darts Open in May, staging a stunning comeback to beat Luke Humphries 8-6, picking up his second PDC European Tour title in the process. Triumphing at the US Darts Masters less than one month later is further evidence that Cross’ game is on an upward curve. It’s also worth noting that the 33-year-old finished as runner-up at both the Nordic and Poland Darts Masters during the month of June. The 2019 World Matchplay winner has produced some stellar darts along the way, averaging a tremendous 97.21 over the last 12 months of tungsten action, while his checkout percentage (41.7%) ranks among the top 10 during the same time span. While the fourth quarter of the draw has Michael Smith in it as well as Gary Anderson and Chris Dobey, Cross’ path to the semi-final stage looks more favourable than the others. Given how consistent he is at the moment, ‘Voltage’ has to be fancied to come through the fourth quarter.

Since exiting the World Matchplay at the semi-final stage last summer, Luke Humphries has embarked on a career-defining 12 months. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ lifted his first major title at the 2023 World Grand Prix before swiftly scooping both the Grand Slam of Darts and PDC Players Championship Finals titles across the 49-day spell that followed. Humphries capped off his stunning breakout year by being crowned World Champion for the first time following a thrilling 7-4 win over Luke Littler. The world no. 1 has since put in an impressive performance in his debut Premier League campaign, finishing as runner-up, before he recently took England to World Cup glory alongside Michael Smith. On top of his trophy haul, Humphries has averaged a staggering 99.13 over the last 12 months, a tally only marginally topped by Gary Anderson (99.29). Furthermore, no player has hit more 180s than Humphries (707) across the last year. Thus, Humphries warrants 4.0 favouritism to add the World Matchplay title to his ever-growing trophy cabinet. A spot in what is seen as the favourable side of the draw only adds to the appeal of backing ‘Cool Hand’ to reign supreme in Blackpool.

After becoming the youngest-ever Premier League winner back in May, all eyes will be on Luke Littler at the World Matchplay. Either side of his Premier League triumph, Littler has lifted the Bahrain Darts Masters, the Polish Darts Masters, the Austrian Darts Open and the Belgian Darts Open. The Nuke's exploits are made all the more impressive by the fact that he has hit three televised nine-darters in 2024, one of which was in the Premier League final against Luke Humphries. What’s more, only the aforementioned Humphries (707) has hit more 180s across the last 12 months than Littler (697). Littler’s 96.24 seasonal average over the last year is further proof that the teenage tornado’s meteoric rise is no flash in the pan. There is no denying a box-office first-round clash with Michael van Gerwen is a big obstacle for Littler to overcome. However, nothing seems to phase the 17-year-old, who is renowned for his calm and collected attitude on the big occasions. If he can navigate his way past MVG, Littler could take some stopping in his latest pursuit of glory. It would be no surprise to see Littler face familiar foe Humphries in the Blackpool final.

Gerwyn Price’s performances this year have been better than results suggest and he looks a strong contender to make a splash in Blackpool at 8.5. There had been signs that something special was brewing for the Iceman and that proved to be the case when he clinched the Nordic Darts Masters title in Copenhagen last month, getting the better of Rob Cross in the final. The fact that Price contested the US Darts Masters final in New York the previous weekend suggests the Welshman’s game is in a good place right now. Price has averaged a mighty impressive 98.05 over the last 12 months, with only Luke Humphries (99.13) and Gary Anderson (99.29) posting higher tallies. Throw in the fact that Price is the sixth best 180-hitter (453) on the PDC tour over the last year of tungsten action, the former world champion looks well placed to go on a deep run at the Winter Gardens. Price will be the most popular pick to come through his quarter of the draw so he should give punters a good run for their money at 8.5 in his quest for a maiden World Matchplay crown.