Wednesday afternoon session
Meulenkamp v Robb, 12.45pm
Ben Robb’s making his debut at the World Championship this year. Ron Meulenkamp’s experienced the big stage before was beaten by Michael Smith in the second-round last year and I’d see him having a fairly comfortable victory in this.
Mansell v Asada, 1.40pm
The Ninja from Japan narrowly lost to James Wade last year in a really good match, while Mickey Mansell from Northern Ireland has four appearances already at the Worlds and has never made it past round one.
The Alarm bells are sounding. Asada does a job on Mansell for me in this.
Ward v Razma, 2.35pm
It’s time for some razzamatazz from Madars Razma, who’s making his debut in the PDC World Championship. Harry Ward’s a 22-year-old who came through a massive field in Barnsley this year to win a Players Championship. He’s around even money and I’d go for Big H to do a big job and win this.
The @OfficialPDC World championship starts today! I will play my 1st round game on 18/12 vs @HarryWard180. I really hope to enjoy Ally Pally stage for the 1st time for me and I wish good luck and great games to all championship players! #lovethedarts #letsplaydarts #GameON https://t.co/OFfjAz3uCY
— Madars Razma (@MadarsRazma) December 13, 2019
Wednesday Evening
Wilson v Kurz, 7.15pm
Wilson, known as the Jammy Dodger, was a World Grand Prix semi-finalist in 2018 but lost in the second round here last year, 3-2 to William O’Connor.
Nico Kurz is a rising star coming out of Germany. He was a quarter-finalist in the German Darts Masters, where he beat Gary Anderson 6-4 and took out a 170 finish, it was a really good performance from him.
There’s a lot of talk around him, he’s 15/8 in this game, and that looks good to me.
Payne v Portela, 8.10pm
Diego Portela is a Brazilian World Cup player, this is his third World Championship but he’s still looking to get his first win. Payne is a young player coming through. He nearly knocked off Dave Chisnall last year in the second round, it finished 3-2 and he could’ve won it easily. It’s Josh Payne for me in this one.
Clemens v Van de Pas, 9.05pm
The German Giant Gabriel Clemens really is a fast-emerging player. He impressed in the Grand Slam getting to the last 16. John Henderson eventually knocked him out of last year’s World Championship, but he put a great fight there and is growing in confidence all the time.
Big Benito van de Pas is making his fifth World Championship appearance, but it won’t be a long one as I can only see Clemens winning this.
Find a full range of odds on Wednesday’s arrers over on pp.com
