The main event
A reduced schedule tomorrow sees four matches in an evening session headlined by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.
Asp had a disappointing season and fell out of the top 10 in the world rankings as a result.
The Stockport man is confident, however, that he can erase the memory of last year’s opening-leg defeat to Ricky Evans and go deep at Alexandra Palace having changed his formation.
He told Online Darts: “Last year I had a different approach. I didn’t do any exposure, I just practiced, practiced, practiced and you know what, I was playing really well going into Worlds.
“I spent a lot of time 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 by myself. 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 this do you know?’
Gates is dancing in 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 return to the top 10.
“I’m not out of the top 16. I’m a top 10 player in my opinion, people can argue but I’m a top 10 player and I just have to work hard, play in everything and you know, try not to get complacent,” he added.
“I give 110% and I know everyone says that, and after a week they stop playing, but I will do everything this year.”
Aspinall should be too strong for Gates, who saw off a tearful Cameron Menzies 3-1 in his first game.
The pair will follow Evans onto the Ally Pally stage with the first two bouts of the night seeing Jim Williams take on 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)
How to watch
The PDC World Championship is shown on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can catch 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 shade it.
As for Aspinall, he will need to perform well to see off the American Gates dancers. A solid win would not only ease him into the third round but also give him the confidence that has been missing from his game in recent months.
