Saturday's World Darts Championship tips

Michael van Gerwen v Chas Barstow

Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen starts his challenge for a fourth title against debutant Chas Barstow, who came through a first-round clash with with John Norman Jr with a 3-1 win.

MVG is the 5.3 second favourite for the title behind Gerwyn Price, and is a huge 1.09 fancy to beat Barstow – who is facing the legendary Dutchman for the first time but at least has sampled the unique Ally Pally atmosphere already this week.

Mighty Mike hasn’t won a big event this year, but topped the season averages and made four semis and a final so the consistency is there – and he hasn’t really suffered any early shocks in this event.

He’s made at least the quarters in eight of the last nine years, and even when he’s gone out early it’s been to the likes of Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade.

Barstow averaged 93, hit two 180s and took out two 100-plus checkouts so although the bookies really fancy a 3-0, the Englishman could easily take a set here at what’s a decent price.

Plus, MVG has won six of his last seven first-round matches 3-1. 

Tip: Back over 3.5 sets at 2.16

Michael van Gerwen is bidding for his fourth world title at Ally Pally.

Darius Labanauskas v Mike De Decker

Lithuanian thrower Darius Labanauskas is the 1.49 favourite here and rightly so given he’s won his only other meeting with Mike De Decker and his opponent’s lengthy losing streak.

Labanauskas has been to a quarter-final at the World Championship a couple of years ago, but Belgian De Decker has had no luck at the big events recently.

He lost his first game at last year’s Worlds and this year’s UK Open and lost all three matches at the Grand Slam – including a 5-0 hammering by Fallon Sherrock.

Tip: Back Labanauskas to win at 1.49

Ian White v Chris Landman

Ian ‘Diamond’ White is a consistent performer and regular in the quarter-finals of these big events but goes no further. He faces a tricky opener against Dutchman Chris Landman.

Landman beat former Lakeside champion Scott Mitchell 3-0 in the first round, but that was by no means a classic and that 89 average will not likely get the job done if White shows up like he usually does.

It's always dangerous predicting 3-0 wins for favourites when their opposition has already played on the big stage – and won! But although White may drop a set he should have too much here.

Tip: Back White -1.5 on the handicap at 1.88

Ted Evetts v Jim Williams

Ted Evetts is more well-known on this stage, but he won’t want reminding too much as he was part of history as Fallon Sherrock’s historic first victim a few years ago.

Still only 24, ‘Super Ted’ could have a big future in the game but he’s a big outsider here against 2020 Lakeside World Championship finalist Jim Williams – even if the Welshman is making his Ally Pally debut.

Williams won the Challenge Tour to earn his PDC Tour Card for next season, and also a place here, despite hardly playing in the previous 18 months, but after hitting the practice board he should win this and could go a bit further as well.

Tip: Back Jim Williams to win at 1.8

Rowby-John Rodriguez v Nick Kenny

Talented Austrian Rowby-John Rodriguez is one of four darting brothers who could take the sport by storm over the next few years – his brother Rusty-Jake is also in this tournament and the two could face each other if they win a couple of matches!

He’s been at Ally Pally five times and won just one match but he’ll fancy this one against Welshman Nick Kenny, who is making his second appearance in the big one.

Rodriguez has much more experience in the PDC and Kenny hasn’t yet shown that he can be a factor at this level – so will struggle to get anything more than a set here.

Tip: Back Rowby-John Rodriguez to win at 1.65