2025 World Matchplay Darts – Jonny Clayton vs Mike De Decker
Jonny Clayton faces Mike De Decker in a high-stakes World Matchplay second-round clash, and we’re backing Jonny Clayton to Win (4/7), Over 18.5 Legs (10/11), and Clayton to hit the Most 180s (6/5). At a combined price of 28/5, a successful £10 bet on this treble returns £66
Jonny Clayton
Jonny Clayton, affectionately known as “the Ferret,” is one of the most consistent performers on the PDC circuit over recent seasons. The Welshman is currently ranked world number five after another campaign full of big-stage runs. In 2025, Clayton reached the semi-finals of the UK Open, the final of the World Masters, and captured his third European Tour title with a string of impressive victories, including wins over top names like Danny Noppert and Luke Humphries. His resilience under pressure was again on display at the World Cup of Darts, where he and Gerwyn Price steered Wales to the final, only just missing out on the title.
Clayton’s arsenal is built on metronomic scoring, deadly accuracy on the outer ring (he regularly ranks high for double-hit percentages), and a silky-smooth throw that rarely deserts him even when the stakes rise. Notably, his televised averages have trended upward this season, and he posted a remarkable 112.77 in the opening round of the World Masters, showing he can summon top-tier darts at any moment. He comes into this match fresh from a hard-fought first round, grinding past Martin Schindler 10-7 and surviving a spirited fightback — a win that underlined both his composure and tournament grit.
Mike De Decker
Belgium’s Mike De Decker has blossomed over the last eighteen months, climbing to world number twenty thanks to a breakthrough 2024 campaign and a solid start to 2025. Nicknamed “the Real Deal,” De Decker made history last October by becoming only the second Belgian to win a PDC major, lifting the World Grand Prix after a famous victory over Luke Humphries. That triumph was the highlight of his season, but he also added a first Players Championship win and went deep in several European Tour events, reaching his debut final at the Belgian Darts Open with a run featuring notable victories over Humphries, Price and Ross Smith.
While De Decker’s story is one of rapid progress, there have also been signs of vulnerability at the business end of tournaments. He exited the 2025 World Championship in round two and had a quiet run at the UK Open. His scoring power, especially on the treble 20, has improved, and he can rattle in big numbers under pressure, but inconsistency remains — sometimes suffering frustrating spells on doubles or losing momentum after missed chances. De Decker’s nerves will be tested against a battle-hardened opponent in Clayton.
Head-to-Head Analysis
While the pair have not faced off regularly on TV stages, De Decker holds a marginal head-to-head edge in recent meetings, winning two of their last three encounters. Their most recent match, at the 2025 European Darts Open, saw De Decker claim victory in a tight affair, though Clayton has generally performed better in longer-format, high-stakes matches across his career. This duel is arguably their biggest stage yet, adding an intriguing psychological layer to proceedings.
Recent Tournament Matches
In the opening round of this tournament, Jonny Clayton overcame Martin Schindler 10-7 in a match that showcased his ability to both dictate play and withstand comeback pressure. Clayton established an early cushion before Schindler’s brief rally, ultimately pinning double five when it mattered most to close out the win. The key takeaway was Clayton’s composure and his knack for hitting big visits when pushed.
De Decker, meanwhile, arrived here on the back of a season-best run to the Belgian Darts Open final but suffered a surprising defeat to Wessel Nijman at the Austrian Darts Open and had some patchy recent form on the European circuit. His first Matchplay outing saw him recover from a slow start to edge past a dangerous opponent, but doubts linger about whether he can consistently hold his A-game for the duration of a tight match on the iconic Blackpool stage.
Betting Selections Analysis
Jonny Clayton – Match Winner (4/7)
Clayton is the form horse, displaying both steely nerves and a clinical edge in TV majors this year. With deep runs in multiple tournaments, a strong finishing record, and his recent win over a dangerous Schindler, Clayton looks well-placed to advance further.
Over 18.5 Legs (10/11)
Given both players’ styles and recent head-to-head records, a competitive encounter looks likely. De Decker’s scoring bursts and willingness to dig in when trailing, combined with Clayton’s knack for getting over the line in tight legs, point toward a contest that could go long. Both players are capable of forcing each other into an extended battle, with 11-8, 11-9, or even a deciding-leg scenario well within range for this best-of-21 format.
Jonny Clayton – Most 180s (6/5)
Clayton’s recent tournaments have seen an uptick in his maximums tally, and he’s proved he can outscore most rivals at his best. While De Decker is also capable of racking up 180s, he is prone to flat spells, especially if his rhythm is disrupted. Clayton’s ability to find repeated purple patches in matches makes this a strong value bet — particularly if he establishes early scoreboard pressure.
Conclusion and Summary
This treble banks on Clayton’s big-match experience, his proven reliability in pressure situations, and the likelihood of an extended, closely-fought contest. While De Decker is a rising force, the edge in composure, scoring consistency, and finishing percentages sits with the Welshman.
Risks remain, especially if Clayton starts slowly or De Decker rediscovers his major-winning form – but the numbers, the Matchplay format, and the betting value all point toward Clayton coming out on top after an entertaining Blackpool tussle.
For more insights and predictions, explore our darts predictions in our betting tips section.
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