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Ryan Searle vs Jonny Clayton Betting Tips & Live Stream - Heavy Metal to reach maiden semi-final

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Jon Vine
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Last updated: Thu 01 Jan 2026 07:36
In an exciting quarter-final match at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships, Ryan Searle faces Jonny Clayton. Searle, unbeaten in sets this tournament, excels with a tournament-high checkout percentage. Conversely, Clayton had close victories leading up to this moment but remains a formidable adversary. The match is expected to be tightly contested, with Searle favored to edge out Clayton. Experts suggest betting on over 7.5 total sets considering both players' skills in finishing. Tune in via live stream to witness this enthralling darts showdown.
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Jon Vine 01 Jan 2026
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  • Free tips for Ryan Searle vs Jonny Clayton
  • This quarter-final match takes place on Thursday 1st January
  • We're backing Ryan Searle to win, Over 7.5 Total Sets, and 5+ 100+ Checkouts
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ryan searle
Ryan Searle of England celebrates victory against James Hurrell of England after their fourth round match on day sixteen of the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship. (Getty)

The opening quarter-final of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships sees Ryan Searle take on Jonny Clayton for a place in the final four.

Here are our free darts tips for Ryan Searle vs Jonny Clayton, plus how you can stream the match live on Thursday.

Ryan Searle vs Jonny Clayton - Tale Of The Tape


Ryan Searle Name Jonny Clayton
England Nation Wales
38 Age 51
Heavy Metal Nickname The Ferret
20 World Ranking 5
Quarter-Finals (2026) PDC World Champs Best Quarter-Finals (2023, '26)
8/11 Match Odds 13/10
20/1 Tournament Odds 33/1

Head To Head


Ryan Searle and Jonny Clayton have played each other nine times in the PDC. Clayton leads the head-to-head standings 5-4, but it was Searle who claimed a 6-3 victory in their most recent clash on the European Tour in October.

Ryan Searle Form


Ryan Searle has made serene progress through to his first quarter-finals at the World Darts Championships. "Heavy Metal" is yet to drop a set during this year's tournament, claiming 3-0 wins over Chris Landman and Brendan Dolan, before 4-0 victories over both Martin Schindler and James Hurrell.

The world number 20 is known for his high scoring, but it's been deadly finishing that's helped Searle reach the final eight for the first time in his career. The 38-year-old boasts a tournament checkout percentage of 55%,  and he's playing well enough to pounce on any chances that "The Ferret" might afford him.

Jonny Clayton Form


Jonny Clayton's path to a second quarter-final appearance was made easier when his intended second-round opponent, Dom Taylor was disqualified from the competition. "The Ferret" has sailed past a dangerous opponent in Adam Lipscombe in Round 1, but had to battle to reach the final eight with tight victories over Niels Zonneveld and Andreas Harrysson.

The world number five hasn't been anywhere near his best so far during this tournament. Clayton needed overages of around 92 to win his Round 1 and Round 4 matches. He'll have to score well to give himself a chance against an in-form Ryan Searle, but the Welshman has plenty more gears that he can shift into when he returns to the Ally Pally stage.

Verdict


I'm expecting a tight contest between two experienced players who know each other well. I'll be backing RYAN SEARLE to come out on top, but Jonny Clayton won't roll over without a fight.

"Heavy Metal" hasn't scored as well as he can during his tournament, but he's been banging in big finishes left, right and centre, and he's won all 14 of the sets that he's played. 

I'm not expecting for a second that he's going to whitewash a player of Jonny Clayton's calibre, so backing Over 7.5 Total Sets would seem like a sensible move. Searle's finishing has been sensational thus far, and "The Ferret" can be dynamite on the outer ring too. I'll also be backing 5+ 100+ Checkouts in the contest.

A bet builder featuring Searle to win, Over 7.5 Total Sets and 5+ 100 Checkouts pays out at around 9/2!

Live Stream


Visit our PDC World Championships Live Stream page if you want to watch this match via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

Match Winner - Ryan Searle
Total Sets - Over 7.5
100+ Checkouts - 5+

Best Bet1: Ryan Searle Match Winner @8/11 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Over 7.5 Total Sets @5/6 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet3: 5+ 100+ Checkouts @11/10 at bet365 - 5 Units
Ryan Searle
Match Winner
@8/11 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Over 7.5
Total Sets
@5/6 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
5+
100+ Checkouts
@11/10 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

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