Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen takes to the Ally Pally stage on Friday night in what should be a blockbuster evening at the World Darts championship.
Van Gerwen – winner of the PDC in 2014, 2017 and 2019 – has had his momentum slowed in recent years but the 35-year-old is still ranked three in the world and poses a real threat again.
He takes on James Hurrell in the second round in the final match of day six, a quarter-finalist back in 2022.
The big game in the afternoon sees the hugely popula Stephen Bunting face off against Kai Gotthardt.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤! 🏆🎯 Time to step up and fight for that iconic trophy again. 💚 Let’s make it unforgettable. Who’s ready? Let’s do this! pic.twitter.com/Ms3tNGXRhf
— Michael Van Gerwen (@MvG180) December 15, 2024
Bunting, 39, has never gone beyond the semi-final stage at the PDC but will be hoping to move into round three with little fuss.
Order of Play
Afternoon session (from 12:30 GMT)
Stephen Burton v Alex Merkx (R1)
Wessel Nijman v Cameron Carolissen (R1)
Ian White v Sandro Sosing (R1)
Stephen Bunting v Kai Gotthardt (R2)
Evening session (from 19:00 GMT)
Mickey Mansell v Tomoya Goto (R1)
Florian Hempel v Jeffrey de Zwaan (R1)
William O’Connor v Dylan Slevin (R1)
Michael van Gerwen v James Hurrell (R2)
How to watch
The PDC World Championship is being screened on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the afternoon session on Sky Sports Darts and Main Event from 12:30 GMT, with the evening session on both channels from 19:00.
Predictions
Routine wins ahead for Bunting and Van Gerwen, who is hungry to regain his title on the biggest stage.
