2025 World Matchplay Predictions: Who Will Lift the Trophy?
- Darts Central
- Jul 17
- 6 min read
The World Matchplay has a rich history of delivering iconic moments and dramatic twists, and with so many players in red-hot form, the 2025 edition looks as wide open as ever. But that won’t stop us from making a confident call.
Following two detailed preview pieces analysing the draw and highlighting the key contenders, it's time to break down each section and predict who will be lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy under the lights in Blackpool.
Quarter 1: Van Veen & Nijman to Contest All-Dutch Quarter-Final
Draw Bracket
(1) 🏴 Luke Humphries vs. 🇳🇱 Gian van Veen
(16) 🇳🇱 Danny Noppert vs. 🏴 Cameron Menzies
(8) 🏴 Nathan Aspinall vs. 🇳🇱 Wessel Nijman
(9) 🏴 James Wade vs. 🏴 Joe Cullen
Gian van Veen enters Blackpool as one of the most in-form players in world darts, and I’m tipping him to cause a major shock in Round 1 by defeating the World No.1 and reigning World Matchplay champion. From there, I expect him to edge out Danny Noppert, who I fancy to come through his opener against Cameron Menzies.
Wessel Nijman is a rising star, and I’m backing him to take out 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall in what should be a high-quality clash. Joe Cullen tends to enjoy the Winter Gardens stage and has a strong record in opening matches. I see him continuing that trend by overcoming a tough test from James Wade. However, I’m predicting Nijman to get his revenge on Cullen in the second round, avenging his defeat at the 2025 World Championship.
That would set up an all-Dutch quarter-final between Van Veen and Nijman, two exciting young talents firmly on the rise. I’m giving the slight edge to Van Veen, whose consistency leg-on-leg could be the difference in a fascinating encounter.
Quarter 1 Winner: 🇳🇱 Gian van Veen
Quarter 2: Anderson to Roll Back the Years
Draw Bracket
(4) 🏴 Stephen Bunting vs. 🏴 Ryan Joyce
(13) 🏴 Gary Anderson vs. 🏴 Luke Woodhouse
(5) 🏴 Jonny Clayton vs. 🇩🇪 Martin Schindler
(12) 🏴 Dave Chisnall vs. 🇧🇪 Mike De Decker
I expect both Stephen Bunting and Gary Anderson to cruise through their openers against Ryan Joyce and Luke Woodhouse, respectively; neither opponent looks likely to match their scoring power over a long format. From there, I’m backing Anderson to deliver another strong performance and eliminate the World No.4 in Round 2.
On the other side of the quarter, Jonny Clayton is quietly building momentum and should have enough to navigate a tricky first-round tie against German No.1 Martin Schindler. As for Dave Chisnall, I see his struggles on the big stage continuing. He’s out of form, and I fancy reigning World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker to secure his first Matchplay win.
Despite that, I’m tipping Clayton to comfortably end De Decker’s run in Round 2. The Welshman is playing with confidence and looks in good touch heading into Blackpool.
That sets up a compelling quarter-final between Clayton and Anderson, a clash full of quality and momentum swings. I’m backing the Flying Scotsman to edge it in a marathon battle, using his experience to find the key moments and reach another Matchplay semi-final.
Quarter 2 Winner: 🏴 Gary Anderson
Quarter 3: Littler to Breeze into the Last 4
Draw Bracket
(2) 🏴 Luke Littler vs. 🏴 Ryan Searle
(15) 🏴 Peter Wright vs. 🇳🇱 Jermaine Wattimena
(7) 🇦🇺 Damon Heta vs. 🏴 Andrew Gilding
(10) 🏴 Rob Cross vs. 🇳🇱 Dirk van Duijvenbode
This looks to be the weakest section of the draw, and even with Luke Littler missing the last three events, I expect him to return strongly and comfortably see off Ryan Searle in Round 1. I’m also backing Jermaine Wattimena to upset Peter Wright, but he’ll be no match for ‘The Nuke’ in this format and should be dispatched with little trouble.
In the bottom half of the quarter, I’m predicting both seeded players to fall early. Damon Heta may have impressed on the Pro Tour, but he’s struggled to translate that form to the big stage, and I think the wily Andrew Gilding will take advantage.
Meanwhile, Rob Cross and Dirk van Duijvenbode are both inconsistent right now, but I’ll give the edge to Dirk in that encounter. That said, Gilding’s steady scoring and composure should see him come through their second-round clash to reach back-to-back Matchplay quarter-finals.
With all that considered, I simply can’t look past the World No.2 and reigning World Champion to dominate this section. Gilding may offer a test in the quarter-finals, but over a best-of-31 format, Littler’s relentless scoring power should prove too much.
Quarter 3 Winner: 🏴 Luke Littler
Quarter 4: Price to Outclass a Tricky Section
Draw Bracket
(3) 🇳🇱 Michael van Gerwen vs. 🇳🇱 Raymond van Barneveld
(14) 🏴 Ross Smith vs. 🇬🇧 Josh Rock
(6) 🏴 Chris Dobey vs. 🇩🇪 Ricardo Pietreczko
(11) 🏴 Gerwyn Price vs. 🇬🇧 Daryl Gurney
This looks to be the most stacked quarter of the draw, packed with standout names. Despite neither being in top form at the moment, I’m backing Michael van Gerwen to rise to the occasion and get the better of Raymond van Barneveld in their all-Dutch opener.
I also expect Ross Smith to come through a high-quality shootout with Josh Rock, plenty of 180s, plenty of drama, and Smith just edging it in a last-leg decider. After that, I see MvG producing a strong display to defeat Smith and rekindle some of the old spark in Blackpool.
In the bottom half of the quarter, I’m tipping Chris Dobey to comfortably dispatch Ricardo Pietreczko, who’s been struggling for form of late. Gerwyn Price will be tested by Daryl Gurney, but I still fancy the Welshman to come through. From there, I expect Price, who holds a dominant head-to-head record over Dobey, to prevail once again and reach the last eight.
That would set up a blockbuster quarter-final between two darting giants in Price and Van Gerwen. And right now, I’m backing the form man. Price was recently crowned World Series winner in Poland, lifted a European Tour title in Kiel last weekend, and already has three Players Championship trophies to his name this season. Over a best-of-31 legs format, I don’t think Van Gerwen can live with the Welshman’s current level.
Quarter 4 Winner: 🏴 Gerwyn Price
Semi-Finals
🇳🇱 Gian van Veen vs 🏴 Gary Anderson | 🏴 Luke Littler vs 🏴 Gerwyn Price
In the top half, we’d see a fascinating clash between the reigning World Youth Champion and the legendary 54-year-old Gary Anderson. It would be a fast-paced, high-scoring affair featuring a superb stylistic matchup.
While Anderson’s experience and timing would keep him competitive, I’m backing the young Dutchman to rise to the occasion. Over a gruelling best-of-33 legs format, Van Veen’s stamina and leg-on-leg consistency could prove decisive in edging out the Flying Scotsman in a classic.
In the bottom half, a semi-final between Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price would be nothing short of a blockbuster. Although Littler has had his struggles against the Welshman, he did win their most recent big-stage meeting in the Premier League semi-final at the O2, despite trailing for long spells.
That said, I’m backing Price to turn the tables this time. With form on his side, I see him producing another high-level performance to reach his second World Matchplay final, and keep his bid for a maiden crown firmly on track.
Final
🏴 Gerwyn Price vs 🇳🇱 Gian van Veen
Champion Prediction: Gerwyn Price to Win His First World Matchplay
It feels like the stars are aligning for ‘The Iceman’. With five PDC titles already in 2025, more than any other player this season, Price has combined relentless scoring and sharp finishing to produce electrifying displays, and the Matchplay format is perfectly suited to his intensity.
Gian van Veen will have enjoyed a phenomenal run to reach the final, but I believe this is where the journey ends. Over the long format, I expect Price’s experience and power to prove too much for the young Dutchman, who may begin to tire after a demanding tournament. Price also holds a 7–0 career record against Van Veen, and I see that dominance continuing as he lifts a long-overdue and fully deserved World Matchplay title.
Final Thoughts
So there it is, I have backed Gerwyn Price to finally capture the elusive World Matchplay crown and add it to his already impressive haul of PDC silverware.
With the draw full of potential upsets, dangerous floaters, and elite contenders, this year's tournament promises to be one of the most unpredictable and wide-open editions in recent memory.
Enjoy the World Matchplay!
Check out our earlier previews and stay tuned to Darts Central for ongoing World Matchplay coverage throughout the tournament, plus upcoming Women’s World Matchplay features.
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