Preview, game order, how to watch and predictions

The Main Event

A reduced schedule tomorrow sees four games in one evening session headlined by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.

Asp endured a disappointing season and dropped out of the top 10 in the world rankings as a result.

The Stockport man is confident, however, he can erase the memory of last year’s opening defeat to Ricky Evans and go deep at Alexandra Palace after changing his build.

He told Online Darts: “Last year I took a different approach. I didn’t do any shows, I just practiced, practiced, practiced and you know what, I was playing really well going into Worlds.

“I spent many hours with Michael Smith, but of course, we all know how that ended.

“This year, I thought you know what, I’m going to work, I’m going to do a lot of shows, a lot of shows, but not alone. With these big productions where he is playing on big stages. I played in front of 10,000 in two nights. What better practice than that do you know?”

Gates dances his way into the second round! 🕺

📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqZ5tR #WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Fe1QazE2

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 16, 2024

Aspinall has struggled for fitness and form in 2024 but is hoping to finish the year on a high and start again in the top 10.

“I don’t belong outside the top 16. I’m in my opinion the top 10, people may disagree, but I’m the top 10 and I’m still working hard, playing in everything and you know, try not to have fun, ” he added.

“I’m giving 110% and I know everyone says that, and after a week they stop playing, but I’m going to do everything this year.”

Aspinall should be too strong for Gates, who dismissed Cameron Menzies in tears 3-1 in his opener.

The pair will follow Evans to the Ally Pally stage with the first two matches of the evening seeing Jim Williams face Paolo Nebrida and Christian Kist take on Madars Razma.

Order of Play (from 1900 UK time)

Jim Williams v Paolo Nebrida (R1)
Madars Razma v Christian Kist (R1)
Ricky Evans v Gordon Mathers (R1)
Nathan Aspinall v Leonard Gates (R2)

As you see

The PDC World Championship is being shown on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the evening session on Sky Sports Darts at 1900 and Sky Sports Main Event at 2130.

Predictions

Expect wins for Williams and Evans and a close upset between Razma and Kist. We think Kist can only shadow.

As for Aspinall, he has to do well to see that he dances to American Gates. A solid win not only speeds him into the third round but also gives him the autonomy that his game has been missing in recent months.