Main event
Tomorrow's reduced schedule sees four matches in one evening session led by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.
The Asp team has endured a disappointing season and has fallen out of the top ten in the world rankings as a result.
However, the Stockport man is confident he can erase the memory of last year's opening defeat to Ricky Evans and delve deeper into Alexandra Palace having changed his build.
He told Online Darts: “Last year I took a different approach. I didn't do any exhibitions, I just trained and trained and trained, and I was playing really well in the World Championships.”
“I spent many hours with Michael Smith, but obviously 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 exhibitions, a lot of shows, but not on my own. With these big productions where you play on big stages. I played in front of 10,000 in two nights. What better practice than that you know?”
Gates dances his way to the second round! 🕺
📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqZ5tR #WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Fe1QazE2
— Siham PDC (@OfficialPDC) December 16, 2024
Aspinall has struggled for fitness as well as form in 2024, but will be hoping to finish the year on a high and get back into the top 10.
“I don't belong outside the top 16. I'm in the top 10 in my opinion, people may disagree, but I'm in the top 10 and I have to work hard and play for everything, you know. Try not to be complacent,” he added.
“I'm giving 110% and I know everyone says that, and after a week they'll stop playing, but I'll do everything this year.”
Aspinall should be too strong for Jets, who ousted a tearful Cameron Menzies 3-1 in their opener.
The pair will follow Evans to the Ally Pally stage with the first two matches of the evening seeing Jim Williams take on Paolo Nebreda and Christian Kist take on Madar Razma.
Order of play (since 1900 UK time)
Jim Williams vs. Paulo Nebreda (R1)
Madras Razma vs. Christian Kist (R1)
Ricky Evans vs. Gordon Mathers (R1)
Nathan Aspinall vs. Leonard Gates (R2)
How to watch
The PDC World Championship is 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 fight between Razma and Kist. We think Kist might just be shading him.
As for Aspinall, he will need to put in a good performance to beat the dancing American Jets. A strong win will not only make it easier for him to reach the third round, but will also give him the self-confidence he has lacked in recent months.
