Having been a 20/1 outsider before a dart was thrown, Peter Wright has played himself into third favourite at 3/1 to win the Betfred World Matchplay, and he’s proving a popular bet with punters.

With 2007 champion James Wade now knocked out, there will be a new World Matchplay champion on Sunday night, with Glen Durrant the new 5/2 outright favourite, ahead of Rob Cross (11/4), Wright (3/1) and Michael Smith (4/1).

Durrant assumed favourtism after sensationally knocking out Michael van Gerwen on a dramatic Tuesday night in Blackpool which also saw reigning champion Gary Anderson exit the tournament, but it’s Wright who is attracting all the money in the darts betting markets.

The quarter-finals conclude on Friday with a tie between Cross and Stephen Bunting, before Daryl Gurney and Wright face off for the fourth semi-final spot, with title sponsors Betfred making Wright 2/5 favourite over Northern Irishman Gurney.

Sixth seed Wright laid down a marker with the highest average of the tournament so far in an 11-2 demolition of Simon Whitlock last time out, and his confident demeanour is clearly resonating with bettors.

Wright On a Hot Streak

Former runner-up Wright, who came into the tournament on the back of four tournament wins in the last two months, continued his hot streak with a 103.01 average.

In a replay of last year's quarter-final, which Wright also won convincingly, Whitlock was restricted to just five darts at double, while the Scot landed a 170 finish and went seven darts into a perfect leg in a stunning display.

"I've found the little bit of magic I need and I'm going to get even better," said Wright after dismantling Whitlock.

"It was a shame I didn't hit the nine-darter, but I'm throwing at a good pace, I've got the right darts and I feel really comfortable with them.”

"This is a hard tournament but all the big names are gone and I think the hardest half of the draw now is the bottom half."

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Durrant Relishing Favourtism

Meanwhile, debutant Durrant says he is “living the dream” after his 16-7 win over James Wade made him outright favourite.

Durrant continued his incredible run by following up wins over Adrian Lewis and pre-tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen with another memorable success, and the Middlesbrough man is now dreaming of lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy.

"At the start of the tournament I just wanted to prove to the PDC crowd that I could handle playing on this stage, and now I'm daring to dream of the title," said Durrant told the PDC.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic, I'm living the dream right now. I think the crowd are taking to me because they see an ordinary man who is having a whale of a time.

"I'm having a wonderful week, that's the best way I can describe it. It's such a special moment for me, it's life-changing."

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