Darts World Matchplay semi-finals tips: Michael Smith and Luke Humphries to progress with maximums aplenty

The World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens has been as thrilling as always and we have two tasty looking semi-finals as the biggest names in Darts try to get their hands on the Phil Taylor trophy.

World champion Luke Humphries looks to continue his great year when he takes on nine-time Matchplay semi-finalist James Wade, while it's a repeat of the 2023 World Championship final when Michael Smith takes on Michael Van Gerwen. 

Planet Sport have a range of selections from Saturday's blockbuster matches.

Luke Humphries vs James Wade (2015 BST)

James Wade produced a brilliant performance to beat the impressive Ross Smith in his quarter-final. 

The Machine lived up to his name with an average of 100.30 against Smith, who averaged 99.87 himself, and the 2007 champion also rattled in 13 maximums in a performance that saw him roll back the years. 

Wade has also ended Nathan Aspinall's title defence on his way to a ninth Blackpool semi-final, but it was his win against Smith when the darting world began to take note of the Machine once again.

However in Humphries he faces his biggest challenge yet, with the world champion looking in ominous form throughout this tournament. 

Cool Hand Luke has averaged over 100 in all three of his games at Blackpool, while he has seen off Masters champion Stephen Bunting and UK Open winner Dimitri Van den Bergh. 

Humphries reached this stage last year and he will be looking to banish the memories of his 17-15 loss against Jonny Clayton, but with the titles he has won since then, you'd back him to get over the line this time. 

While Wade was brilliant last time out, we think the world number one will win comfortably, but we'll also back the Machine to help wrack in some 180s with over 16 match 180s looking like a good value bet. 

Michael Van Gerwen vs Michael Smith (2130 BST)

These two have had some iconic encounters over the years, who could forget the "Michael may miss, Michael may hit" line from Wayne Mardle in the 2023 World Championship final. 

The Michaels meet again at Winter Gardens but both haven't been at their best this year. They both made the Premier League play-offs, but Van Gerwen limped over the line while Smith snuck in at the latest possible moment. 

In this tournament, Van Gerwen had the toughest possible first round draw when he faced Luke 'The Nuke' Littler, but he dispatched the teenage sensation with minimum fuss before seeing off Joe Cullen and Andrew Gilding. 

In his quarter-final against Gilding, the Green Machine struggled to start with, finding himself 8-6 down at one point, however he won 10 of the last 12 legs to move into the semis. 

MVG hasn't had the best of years, but we all know what he's capable of and he has won this title three times before. 

Smith had it relatively easy in his quarter-final beating Rob Cross 16-7, he averaged 96.35 and rattled in eight 180s. 

Bully Boy also picked up the impressive scalp of Chris Dobey and comfortably beat Gary Anderson in his tournament opener. 

While both are yet to set the world alight this year, we've seen before that these two can have a positive impact on each other's games and we think they will once again with a deluge of maximums, over 18.5 is the way to go. 

In terms of the result, it's too close to call but we can see Smith edging it as he has a habit of pulling results out of the bag when he needs them most.

Suggested bets

Luke Humphries to beat James Wade

Luke Humphries vs James Wade: Over 16 match 180s

Michael Smith to beat Michael Van Gerwen

Michael Van Gerwen vs Michael Smith: Over 18.5 match 180s