Wayne Mardle shares what makes Blackpool special as he issues World Matchplay prediction

Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle believes there could be a new winner at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens this year.

The World Matchplay got underway over the weekend, with recent champion Luke Littler being among those to progress from the first round.

Mardle, who was a finalist himself at the event back in 2003, states he’s backing Wessel Nijman to collect the Phil Taylor trophy come Sunday night.

The Dutchman has already confirmed his spot in the second round after beating Dave Chisnall 10-5 on Sunday night.

“We’ve already watched Luke Littler and Gary Anderson play, but my money is on Wessel Nijman,” Mardle said.

“Maybe it’s time for a little bit of an outsider. He’s not a dark horse anymore. I fancy him from the bottom or James Wade.

“I keep tipping Luke or Luke, and people are getting bored with me, so I’ve gone for someone else.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if James Wade or Wessel Nijman make the final, and then who knows?

“It’s odd how quickly people get bored by someone else winning. Luke Littler has only been winning for a year-and-a-half, but they’re bored already. Before that it was Luke Humphries.

“You always near that spearhead and clear world number one because it attracts interest, but Wessel Nijman has won eight times this year - no one has won more apart from Luke Littler, so that’s how good he’s been.

“He hasn’t had a run in a big one yet, but it’s going to happen. I just want to get my timing right and say it’s going to be this one. If it’s not this one, I’m going to tip him for the Grand Prix; if not’s not that one, I’m going to tip him for the Grand Slam; if it’s not that one, then it’s the Worlds.

“We may get to this next year and I’ll still be giving it: ‘It’s Wessel Nijman’s turn - surely.’”

Discussing the competition as a whole, Mardle admits it’s pleasure to be back at Blackpool, and ranks the event as one of the best on the darts calendar.

“This is one of the original venues so it means a lot to the players,” he added.

“It’s now got the longest history in darts in relation to the PDC - Blackpool, the Winter Gardens, and the summer are all synonymous.

“It’s one of the most important events after the World Championships. It’s completely different as well because a lot of the venues before this weren't as grand; it’s absolutely beautiful.

“As a venue, there’s none better in my opinion. The sheer history and nature just makes it a wonderful place to play darts.”