Race to Women's World Matchplay: Final eight to be confirmed today as Blackpool spots to be sealed

The race to the Women's World Matchplay concludes today with the top eight players heading to Blackpool on the final day of the main World Matchplay to vie for the title.

Beau Greaves as expected going into the last block of Women's Series tournaments is far and away the leader of the Order of Merit. She surprisingly lost the title last year and will aim to regain it as the out and out favourite this time. She has collected 57 titles and counting.

Albeit in theory it is very likely to be her last Women's World Matchplay. Unless the PDC change the rules to invite her, she will likely in future given her upward trajectory even be playing the main tournament and will be in the top 64.

This will rule her ineligible for the Women's Series like Sebastian Bialecki on the Development Tour so certain players may soon breathe a sigh of relief. Lisa Ashton has also far and away qualified for the main event. She is on £13,050 compared to £44,500 for Greaves.

Fallon Sherrock too is very likely to take her spot. She is on £11,900 and is part of a cluster of players also including Gemma Hayter who have long since qualified. It has been another good year for the latter who made her Ally Pally debut and will get another chance on the Blackpool stage.

Noa-Lynn van Leuven is the leading absentee. Due to transgender ruling by the PDC which has seen her not able to play women's tournaments anymore, the Dutchwoman will not be in Blackpool.

The next cluster though is the intriguing part ahead of today though. Deta Hedman and Rhian O'Sullivan are two that are not in Wigan. Only those two, Kim Holden and Laura Turner out of the top 30 picked the Six Nations or not playing over the Women's Series.

Hedman is on £7,500 and in theory will be in apart from any players going on incredible runs and with Greaves winning most of the £2,500 titles, the likely margin to get in decreases. She is joined by Vicky Pruim who has had a splendid few tournaments and won a title and reached another final. From being touch and go as to making it to Blackpool, she is in prime spots and is still playing so in theory could seal her spot shortly.

Rhian O'Sullivan also isn't playing and teeters on the edge. She is on £6,300 but is less likely to get caught. Kirsi Viinikainen is perhaps the one to watch. Robyn Byrne and the iconic Trina Gulliver are circling. The latter has been finding form so could be a welcome addition to the field. She is on £4,900 compared to £5,400 for Viinikainen. Jade Gofford, Steph Clarke and Aileen de Graaf also perhaps ones to watch. All have shown modicum of form on the Women's Series and a bad day from any of the 6-8 players could lead to changes.

(as per dartsrankings.com)