Gian van Veen vs James Wade Preview & Prediction | 2026 World Matchplay | Quarter-Final
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Gian van Veen and James Wade meet in the World Matchplay quarter-finals for the second year in succession as the Dutchman seeks revenge for last year's defeat.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – ESPN+
Gian van Veen vs James Wade prediction
Gian van Veen battled back from 9-7 down to pip fellow Dutchman Westh sel Nijman 14-12 in an absorbing tie-break contest on Wednesday, as he moved into the quarter-finals at Winter Gardens for the second year running.
A match-saving 148 was followed up by a 12-darter in the closing stages as Van Veen dug deep, and he will now face off against James Wade in a rematch of last year's quarter-final in Blackpool.
It was Wade who won that encounter 16-13 on the way to the final, and the veteran once again finds himself in the latter stages after defeating Ryan Searle 11-8 in the second round.
The Machine will not give an inch here and you can almost guarantee he will average around the 95-100 mark. Van Veen is the slight favourite with the bookies but another Wade triumph would be no surprise given his stellar record in Blackpool. Whichever way this goes, we're expecting a close battle.
Gian van Veen vs James Wade tip: Over 27.5 legs
