2019 Betfred World Matchplay – Peter Wright vs Simon Whitlock Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

When is Peter Wright vs Simon Whitlock taking place? Wednesday 24^th July, 2019

Where is Peter Wright vs Simon Whitlock taking place? Winter Gardens, Blackpool

What channel is Peter Wright vs Simon Whitlock on? Sky Sports Action

Where can I stream Peter Wright vs Simon Whitlock? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go

Where can I get tickets for Peter Wright vs Simon Whitlock? Check https://www.pdc.tv/betfred-world-matchplay-tickets for ticket information

THE STATISTICS

All-time meetings: Peter Wright 17-9 Simon Whitlock (1 draw)
Last meeting: Peter Wright beat Simon Whitlock 6-3

THE PLAYERS

PETER WRIGHT

• Peter Wright extended his current winning streak to 19 matches with a 10-5 victory against Vincent van der Voort in a high-quality affair which was much more competitive than the score suggests with the Dutchman more than playing his part.
  
• Snakebite’s average of 102.04 in round one was the highest winning average of the opening round and was also his seventh consecutive match average of at least 102 which shows what scintillating form he is in right now.
  
• The number six seed has not failed to reach the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay since 2014 and last year on his run to the semi-finals he comprehensively defeated Simon Whitlock 16-5 in the last eight.

SIMON WHITLOCK

• Simon Whitlock won 10-8 in a very tough opening match against John Henderson with his opponent finishing the match with an average of 101.33. Whitlock had to hold his nerve as Hendo battled back from 9-6 down and missed three darts to take the match into extra-legs.
  
• The Wizard has been struggling with tendinitis around his elbow over the last few weeks and although he showed no big discomfort on the stage it has altered the amount of practice time that he was able to put in ahead of the tournament.
  
• Although Whitlock trails Wright on their head-to-head record and has lost their only meeting in 2019, he did win their last two TV matches with both victories coming towards the back end of 2018 at the European Championship and Grand Slam of Darts.

THE PREDICTION

Peter Wright carried on his superb recent form with an excellent opening round victory against an impressive Vincent van der Voort who will rightly feel unfortunate to be going home such was his level of performance for the majority of their match. The way Wright responded to Van der Voort racing out of the traps had to be admired and it showed what belief he has in his game right now. Simon Whitlock has not had a great season and it will be a big relief for him to have come through a very tricky first-round match against John Henderson, although the Australian will have to lift his game up several notches if he is to trouble Snakebite.

Whitlock did defeat Wright twice on TV at the back end of 2018 but both players are in much different form right now and Wright is predicted to be too strong for Whitlock, resulting in a win and a place in the quarter-finals for the number six seed.