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The main event
Tomorrow’s shortened schedule features four matches in one evening session headlined by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.
Asp endured a disappointing season and fell outside 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-leg defeat to Ricky Evans and go deep at Alexandra Palace after overhauling his line-up.
He told Online Darts: “Last year I had a different approach. I didn’t do any exhibitions, I just practiced, practiced, practiced and you know what, I played really well in the world championship.
“I did a lot of 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 exhibitions, but I’m not alone. 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 made it to the second round! 🕺
📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqZ5tR #WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Fe1QazE2
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 16, 2024
Aspinall has struggled for fitness as well as form in 2024 but is hoping to finish the year on a high and return to the top 10.
“I don’t belong outside the top 16. In my opinion, I’m a top 10 player, people may disagree, but I’m a top 10 player and I just have to work hard, play in everything and you know, try not to be complacent,” he added is.
“I give 110% and I know everyone says that and after a week they stop playing, but this year I will do everything.”
Aspinall should be too strong for Gates, who defeated a tearful Cameron Menzies 3-1 in the first leg.
The pair will follow Evans to the Ally Pally stage with the first two matches of the evening pitting Jim Williams against Paolo Nebrida and Christian Kist against Madars Razma.
Order of Play (from 1900 UK time)
Jim Williams vs. Paolo Nebrida (R1)
Madars Razma v 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 19:00 and Sky Sports Main Event at 21:30.
Predictions
Expect wins for Williams and Evans and a close fight between Razma and Kisto. We think Kist might just outshine it.
As for Aspinall, he will have to perform well to see off the dancing American Gates. A solid win would not only ease him into the third round, but also give him the confidence his game has lacked in recent months.
