Only four players remain in this year’s BoyleSports World Grand Prix, and Gerwyn Price - the only former champion left standing in Leicester - is the 6/4 outright favourite to claim a second double-start title this weekend.
The Welshman has breezed through to the semi-finals without conceding a set, overcoming Danny Noppert, Krzysztof Ratajski and Martin Schindler in progressing to the last four.
However, in the semi-finals, Price will take on 5/2 second favourite Michael Smith, who has broken new ground at this event with some impressive displays at the Morningside Arena.
By his own admission, the double-start format has not been Smith's favourite in the past, with the St Helens star winning just two games in ten previous World Grand Prix appearances.
Like Price, World Champion Smith is yet to concede a set in this tournament, overcoming Callan Rydz, Brendan Dolan and Andrew Gilding for the loss of only six legs.
The world number one swept aside UK Open champion Gilding in Friday's quarter-finals, and admitted he was distracted by the prospect of playing at the same time as his beloved rugby league side St Helens.
“I did [feel more comfortable] two days ago, but today I texted Dave [Allen] saying he’s done me over – the PDC has put me on second," Smith told BoyleSports post-match.
"The Saints kicked off at the same time I was playing, and everyone knows I’m a massive Saints fan, so I just wanted to get off quickly and check the scores.
"I wanted to get off as quickly as I could to watch the game but after that second set, I had to tell myself off because my mind was somewhere else and I think I did that.
"The five legs in the third set was a decent standard, 180’s flying in, some decent finishes… I’m just glad that when I play against Gez [Gerwyn Price], there’s no rugby on!”
Following his sensational comeback against 2018 runner-up Peter Wright, Luke Humphries is now third favourite for the title at 11/4, and he will face Joe Cullen tonight (13/2 to win outright) for a place in Sunday's showpiece.
Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “We’ve seen some unexpected results this week and whilst Gerwyn remains the strong favourite to win this competition, there’s three names all more than capable of seeing him off. This could turn out to be Bully Boy’s favourite tournament yet!”
Following a thrilling night of quarter-final action on Friday, a fantastic early payout market delivered for Peter Wright fans last night.
BoyleSports paid out on all bets to customers whose player went two sets ahead, so those who backed the Scot were handsomely rewarded despite Wright losing out to a terrific Humphries comeback.
All the latest odds for the 2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix can be found here.
BoyleSports’ Semi-Final Early payout special
Three Sets Ahead Offer! – If your player goes three sets ahead, BoyleSports will settle as a winner even if he goes on to lose the match.
BoyleSports World Grand Prix Outright
6/4 Gerwyn Price
5/2 Michael Smith
11/4 Luke Humphries
13/2 Joe Cullen
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy www.boylesports.com.
Subject to fluctuation. +18 Bet Responsibly, BeGambleAware.org