The latest odds suggest that Josh Rock is a comprehensive favourite to beat Michael van Gerwen in Round 2 of the World Darts Matchplay.
Wayne Mardle agrees with these odds, revealing after van Gerwen’s Round 1 tie with Raymond van Barneveld that the ‘Green Machine’ will be the underdog against ‘Rocky’ in the second round at the Winter Gardens.
Josh Rock Is Favourite To Beat Michael van Gerwen
Despite being ranked number three in the PDC Order of Merit, Michael van Gerwen is set to go into his second round tie at the World Matchplay Darts as the betting underdog against Josh Rock.
As the world number 17, it is ‘Rocky’ who is the pre-match favourite. Rock is being tipped to beat the three-time world champion and former dominant darting force at the Winter Gardens on Wednesday, 23 July in Round 2 of the World Matchplay.
Rock looked sensational in his first round victory over Ross Smith, defeating the Englishman 10-5. This victory saw Rock average over 104 as well as securing checkouts of 167 and 140 amongst other impressive darts.
This was a statement from Rock, who is chasing his first major TV title on the PDC. It’s fair to say that the Northern Irishman is in strong form, and is already one of the favourites to go on and win the entire World Matchplay tournament.
Michael van Gerwen, whose net worth has surpassed £6m, struggled somewhat in his Round 1 tie with fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld. The ‘Green Machine’ won the match 10-6, but averages just 91.84 and didn’t hit even one 100+ checkout.
That form and the fact that Rock is playing his best ever darts means that it is the Northern Irishman who is favoured with betting sites to defeat the great ‘MVG’ and progress into the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay on debut.
AND I SIMPLY ROCK!
Josh Rock lands a 167 checkout to race into a 3-0 lead against Ross Smith!
📺 https://t.co/ZboV9dF4Ji#MatchplayDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/MG3PloQVL6
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 21, 2025
Wayne Mardle Agrees With Bookmakers That Josh Rock Is Favourite vs MVG
One man who agrees with the latest Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock odds is Wayne Mardle.
Mardle believes that ‘Rocky’ is playing well enough to perhaps even go on and win the entire tournament, lifting the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy on debut at the World Matchplay Darts in Blackpool:
“Josh Rock will start favourite against Michael van Gerwen. This is how times change. Things change. Someone gets worse and someone gets better.
“The new guard moves in, someone else moves out. At the age of 36, Michael van Gerwen will feel he’s played his best darts,” Mardle concluded.
Mardle previously stated that Northern Ireland’s World Cup of Darts win could be the catalyst for Josh Rock to win major darts titles, and that could even turn out to be the case this week at the Winter Gardens.
At just 24-years-old, Rock has the world of darts at his feet. He could well be the future of the sport alongside Luke Littler, with the pair set to dominate for years.
Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock Odds
The latest Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock odds suggest that Rock is the 4/9 favourite to defeat Michael van Gerwen.
You can get odds of around 7/4 for ‘MVG’ to beat the Northern Irishman. This is despite being the higher ranked, more experienced and all-round better player.
Some other intriguing odds jump out too. Both players have hit a nine-dart finish on numerous occasions in the pas. Rock even did so against the Dutchman back in 2022. So, could there be another nine-darter tonight?
Online betting sites with cash out are offering odds of 16/1 for there to be the perfect leg. Meanwhile, odds on a 170-checkout are 12/1 for each individual player to hit one.
ROCK HITS A NINE-DARTER!🚨
Josh Rock hits perfection in the second leg of the match against Michael van Gerwen!
Just look at that reaction!#GSOD | L16
📺 https://t.co/iVFvdbIrWJ pic.twitter.com/Mx97VrSioX— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 17, 2022
