"We’ll see Gary play bleeding well over the next week" - Former Worlds semi-finalist backs Anderson to roll back the years at World Matchplay

This coming weekend, the 2025 World Matchplay gets underway at its iconic home in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens. One man who won't be present this year, is former PDC World Darts Championship semi-finalist Scott Williams, but 'Shaggy' has recently previewed the competition.

"32 best players in the world — they are some of the best players in the world — but then you’ve got players throughout the draw that you kind of don’t expect," begins Williams' preview for TalkSport Darts' YouTube channel.

In terms of those potential threats to the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, Williams touts his good friend Josh Rock. "The way Josh Rock’s playing at the minute, anything can happen with Josh — especially over the longer format. I think the first couple of games are first to 10, and then it goes up and up and up," he explains. "And with a long format and a couple of breaks, anything can happen from anyone."

Rock recently secured the first major title of his career, as he and partner Daryl Gurney took home the World Cup of Darts for Northern Ireland. Something that sets Rock up for singles success going forward. "I don’t need to tell you or anyone else watching this about how good Josh is! But the scoring power of Josh is unrivalled, really," Williams praises 'Rocky'. "Josh — I think average-wise — is probably one of the highest. So it’ll all be about the doubles for Josh. As soon as he can start hitting the doubles a bit more regularly — because that’s what’s eluded him over the last couple of years in different majors — if he’s comfortable, then I can see Josh going all the way. "

"And I would like that — personally, from my own point of view — but from a darts point of view also. I think it’s about time he bloody did something," Williams adds, also noting how Rock has added more fire to his on stage personality. "Yeah, it’s a new thing. It’s a new thing that he’s started doing just recently. I think he brought it out a bit more when he was with Daryl Gurney the other week. Just because they’re such good friends and they go on this journey together, I think it just felt like it meant more. So I think that’s why he just gave it that little bit extra — just to let his opponents know that they mean business."

When it comes to a boisterous on stage personality however, there is probably no one who comes to mind quicker than Gerwyn Price. The Welsh former world champion heads to the 2025 World Matchplay in top form too.

"I think with Gezzy especially, I think it’s just natural for Gezzy. I think he just loves being competitive. I think going back to his rugby days as well — he trains a lot in the gym, keeps himself busy with his chippy, and loves sport in general," says Williams. So I think Gezzy, regardless of the competition, wants to challenge and battle. He wants to be the best of the best — wherever it is. He can go to his club on a Saturday afternoon competition and he wants to beat the 10-year-old kid that’s just laid in front of him."

And Williams certainly doesn't rule Price out of winning the World Matchplay for the first time this summer. "He’s playing some unbelievable stuff. Even when I beat him a few weeks ago at the Pro Tour — didn’t want to put that in there, but it’s cool — he was still chucking in mid-90s," says 'Shaggy'. "He feels like he’s playing crap and he’s still chucking in mid-90s. He averages high 90s and loses games sometimes. It’s unfortunate, but like I said — his form is ridiculous at the minute."

And more recently, Price has seen fewer of those kinds of losses mentioned. "He’s finding that way of winning. That 119 against Wessel Nijman at the weekend was massive — especially when I think Wessel was sat on 32 and he just took it out," recalls Williams. "And that’s the thing Gezzy has more than anyone, I think — those big cojones in between his legs. He thrives on moments like that in games just to push him over the line and give him that extra that everyone else doesn’t have."

Finally, Williams also pays special attention to Gary Anderson. The Flying Scotsman has been in resurgent form over the last couple of years, albeit he does have a losing record against Williams himself. "Can’t be that good then," Williams laughs. "Or my form’s gone up a little bit!"

Turning back to a more serious analysis however, Williams insists Anderson still has the capacity to win major titles. "I think what he’s trying to do is just slow it down a little bit. I think he’s seen how busy the calendar is, especially how busy it’s got over the last couple of years," he explains. "Even since I started playing back in 2022, the calendar’s got busier and busier throughout the years. And Gary’s had his time of being what he would say is his peak. Now he’s ready just to pick up bits here and there when he fancies it."

And with Luke Woodhouse awaiting Anderson in the first round of the World Matchplay, Williams also sees a potentially favourable draw for the legendary Scot. "If he fancies it against Woody, Gary will annihilate him. It’s as simple as that. But it’s whatever Gary fancies on the day," he says. "If he’s not bothered, then he’s not going to be bothered — and he’s not going to be putting up a show like we expect him to."

"But I think just with the fact it’s such a major competition — and the second biggest one compared to the World Championship — I think we’ll see Gary play bleeding well over the next week," Williams concludes. "And I hope so, because I absolutely love Gary and I think he’s still fantastic at the game."