Preview, order of play, how to watch and predictions
The main event
A reduced schedule tomorrow will see four matches in one evening session headlined by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.
The Asp have endured a disappointing season and as a result have fallen out of the top 10 in the world rankings.
The Stockport man is confident, however, that he can erase the memory of last year’s opening defeat to Ricky Evans and go deeper at Alexandra Palace after changing his set-up.
He told Online Darts: “Last year I took a different approach. I didn’t put on a show, I just practiced, practiced, practiced and you know what, I was playing really well going into the Worlds.
“I did a lot of hours with Michael Smith, but obviously we all know how it ended.
“This year, I thought you know what, I’m going to work, I’m going to do a lot of exhibitions, a lot of shows, but not alone. With these big productions where you play on big stages. I’ve played in front of 10,000 in two nights. What better practice than that, you know?”
Gates dances to the second round! 🕺
📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqZ5tR #WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Fe1QazE2
— Darts PDC (@OfficialPDC) December 16, 2024
Aspinall has struggled for both fitness and form in 2024 but is hoping to finish the year on a high and break back into the top 10.
“I’m not in the top 16. I’m one of the top 10 in my opinion, people can disagree, but I’m one of the top 10 and I just have to work hard, play in everything and you know it. , try not to be complacent,” he added.
“I give 110% and I know everyone says that, and after a week they stop playing, but this year I’m going to give it my all.”
Aspinall should be too strong for Gates, who dismissed Cameron Menzies 3-1 in his first match.
The pair will follow Evans onto the Ally Pally stage with the first two matches of the night, where Jim Williams will take on Paolo Nebrida and Christian Kist will take on Madars Razma.
Order of Play (from 1900 UK time)
Jim Williams vs. Paolo Nebrida (R1)
Madars Razma vs. Christian Kist (R1)
Ricky Evans vs. Gordon Mathers (R1)
Nathan Aspinall – Leonard Gates (R2)
How to look
The PDC World Championship is shown on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the evening session on Sky Sports Darts at 7pm and the Sky Sports Main Event at 9.30pm.
Predictions
Expect wins for Williams and Evans and a close fight between Razma and Kist. We think Kist could only shade it.
As for Aspinall, she’ll have to perform well to get out of the American Gates dance. A solid win would not only ease him into the third round, but also give him the self-confidence that has been lacking in his game in recent months.
English