On Thursday, day five of the 2025 PDC World Championship, brilliantly sponsored by yours truly, continues at Ally Pally.
With plenty of action to enjoy, Sky Sports Darts host Emma Paton has been called upon to give us her fancies.
Emma Paton’s Darts Tips
19:15 Nick Kenny v Stowe Buntz – Buntz to win 3-2
20:15 Mensur Suljovic v Matt Campbell – Campbell to win 3-1
21:15 Scott Williams v Niko Springer – Williams to win 3-1
22:15 Michael Smith v Kevin Doets – Smith to win 3-1, most 180s, and highest checkout
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WHEN: 15th December – 3rd January
WHERE: Alexandra Palace, London
TV: Sky Sports
19:15 Nick Kenny v Stowe Buntz – Buntz to win 3-2
First, we have Nick Kenny going head-to-head with Stowe Buntz on the Alexandra Palace stage. Hard to call this one. Stowe Buntz had an excellent season last year and made the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam, a brilliant run. He beat the likes of Peter Wright and Stephen Bunting as well.
Then he rocked up to the World Championship a month later. He’d be disappointed with how it went because he lost to Kevin Dukes in the opening match of the whole tournament.
Kevin Dukes, of course, went on to face Michael Smith, the defending champ, later on. So, in a way, he’ll want to put some of those wrongs from last year right.
He and Nick Kenny have similar averages throughout this season. But Stowe Buntz had excellent preparation, especially since he’s coming into this having played in the Moda Super Series. So, it will go to a fifth set, but I’m going for a 3-2 win for Stowe Buntz.
20:15 Mensur Suljovic v Matt Campbell – Campbell to win 3-1
Mensur Suljovic is slipping down the rankings. We’ve seen glimpses of the old Mensur Suljovic. He’s only qualified for three majors this season. The most recent one, the Grand Slam, was because of finishing runner-up at the World Cup alongside Roby John Rodriguez for Austria.
Yes, he lost all his group games, but his average against Michael Smith was 98. We just don’t see these kinds of averages from him often enough.
In contrast, Matt Campbell may come into the World Championship with momentum on his side, with a little bit of confidence as well, because he was one of four players to come through a qualifier on the day of the draw.
And he beat Mervyn King in a last-leg decider. So, I’m going for a Matt Campbell win this time. Matt Campbell, of course, as well. Brilliant memories from last year. I mean, he knocked out James Wade. He ended up losing to Luke Littler. So, I’m going for a win for the Canadian tonight. 3-1 is how that one is going to go.
21:15 Scott Williams v Niko Springer – Williams to win 3-1
And then we have Scott Williams, a surprise semi-finalist last year, taking on the youngster Niko Springer. Mentioned there, Scott Williams made the Final Four last time around, beat Michael Van Gerwen in the quarterfinals, then ended up losing to Luke Humphries.
He also did well last month because he made the quarterfinals of the Players’ Championship finals, and we know he loves a big stage.
He’s one of those players who thrives when he gets onto a stage like the one at Ally Pally. He’s a real showman, isn’t he? I’ve been impressed with Niko Springer this year, though.
The young German finished second in the Development Tour Order of Merit, behind only Wessel Nijmen. Wessel Nijmen is one of the favourites for the whole thing, one of the most dangerous unseeded players.
Many people praise him, but the experience will count tonight at the Palace, so I’m going for a Scott Williams win—3-1 to him.
22:15 Michael Smith v Kevin Doets – Smith to win 3-1, most 180s, and highest checkout
We repeat a second-round tie we saw last year with Michael Smith, World Champ a couple of years ago, meeting Kevin Doets again. Kevin Doets was okay in his opener.
He had to come from a set down to beat Noah-Lynn Van Leeuwen. For Michael Smith, you could say he’s been inconsistent this season.
There have been highs: made the final of the World Series finals, made the playoffs at the Premier League semi-finals, and the World Match Play. But there have been lows as well. He’s had some early exits at major tournaments.
But he hasn’t been talked about enough. This is the world number two. Many people say his quarter of the draw, quarter three, is where there’s a real opportunity. Michael Smith won’t like people talking like that. He’ll have a bit of a point to prove.
So I’m going for a 3-1 win. I also believe Michael Smith will hit the most 180s in this one and the highest checkout.
Emma Paton’s Darts Tips
19:15 Nick Kenny v Stowe Buntz – Buntz to win 3-2
20:15 Mensur Suljovic v Matt Campbell – Campbell to win 3-1
21:15 Scott Williams v Niko Springer – Williams to win 3-1
22:15 Michael Smith v Kevin Doets – Smith to win 3-1, most 180s, and highest checkout
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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