Glen Durrant's PDC World Darts Championship Preview: The cream will rise to the top

The 2024 Professional Darts Corporation World Championships is almost upon us.  

For the seasoned darts fanatic, the anticipation is great, for the casual fan, darts comes alive in the party atmosphere of Alexandra Palace. Kicking off this Friday and running to January 3, this is the biggest event on the Darts calendar. 

The Contenders

It's been referred to as the most open World Championships for many years. Can Michael Smith repeat his incredible title win from 12 months ago? Or will the sublime form from Luke Humphries take him to his maiden World Championship win after an unbelievable season that took him to title wins recently at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam and the Players Championships. You also cannot forget Michael Van Gerwen who could win his fourth title.

Other fancied players include Gerwyn Price, who not only will have his opponent to beat but also the hostile crowd each time he steps onto the oche. Imagine the scenes if Gary Anderson can get over the line to win another World Championships, arguably the best player from the floor events in 2023. 

Thinking about form leads me to the World Matchplay winner Nathan Aspinall who usually stands tall at the big events despite a disappointing second half of the season since that remarkable win in Blackpool. Stephen Bunting and Rob Cross also go to Ally Pally brimming with confidence, hoping to peak at the right time of the year and let’s not forget, Cross already knows how to win on the biggest stage of them all.  

Who will make the semi-finals?

However, I anticipate that the best will rise to the top with a semi final line-up of Michael Smith who by his own admission has flattered to deceive at times in 2023, but knows all that will be forgotten with another brilliant run at the World Championships.  

I can see Gerwyn Price winning a blockbuster last 16 match against Gary Anderson that will be labelled the match of the tournament with both players bringing their massive artillery to a fascinating encounter.

Michael van Gerwen will come through the third quarter final and I base this on a conversation with the 16x Champion of the World Phil Taylor, who feels MVG has the eye of the tiger again and that he will win the 500k first prize for a fourth time. For sure, there are banana skins in that section of the draw that includes Stephen Bunting, Dimitri Van Den Bergh, Danny Noppert, Damon Heta and Josh Rock. 

Luke Humphries, will make up the final quarter final spot. I expect him to win his opener and in the Last 32 is seeded to play an out of form, yet incredibly talented on his day Callan Rydz and if all goes to plan a classic against either Joe Cullen or his best mate in darts Ryan Searle in the last sixteen will see him through to a potential quarter final against Nathan Aspinall.  

 Ante-post I will go for Gerwyn Price, but there is nothing to separate my four semi-finalists and would have a case for each. 

The Early Rounds

Looking at rounds one and two, Fallon Sherrock, aka The Queens of the Palace, will receive the headlines and her match with my fellow stablemate Jermaine Wattimena is both fascinating and intriguing. Wattimena could run away with the game, as he’s a great front runner and will want to get out quickly to silence the crowd. However, Sherrock is one of the best finishes in the game and will relish the challenge. She will have a clear strategy to hang onto Wattimena early doors and put in a mid-match surge and with the crowd going crazy, it may be too much for Wattimena to handle, no scoreline would surprise me in this match. 

William O’Connor will demolish Bhav Patel in the first round and will be a very tricky opponent for the much-fancied Chris Dobey. 

Jim Williams is another name to look out for. He will have no problems against Norman Madhoo and then will face European Champion Peter Wright in the Last 64, not only will Williams have to deal with the uber talented Snakebite, but Wright is also his darting hero, a possible upset on the line in this match.  

Radek Szaganski is in the form of his life and will face an absolute legend in Raymond Van Barneveld if he can get past the experienced Marko Kantele in his opener.  

Where do I start with 16-year-old Luke Littler. Firstly, I believe he is a generational player and the best sixteen-year-old that’s ever played. He has the characteristics and attributes complimented with sensational skills at such a young age but with that real X-Factor that you cannot teach. He's up against the luckless Christian Kist in round one who has suffered injuries and medical problems since winning the BDO World Title 2012.

Throughout the year Kirst has looked good, winning £25,750 in the Players Championship race to secure a place at this year's Worlds. But injury plagued him at the recent Players Championships Finals. I see no problems for Littler in this game and he will relish the chance to play UK Open champion Andrew Gilding in round two and who’s to say he won't win that, it’s a bold statement but I think he gets to the quarter-finals.  

A cracker of a game appears in the third quarter with the understated but immensely talented Ryan Joyce against Alex Spellman, from the USA, who has shown me enough this year to be a danger to any player.   

Upsets to look out for

Potential shocks in round one include Davis Cameron to beat Jamie Hughes. I can’t even begin to tell you how tough it is to write that with Hughes being one of my best friends in the game. 

Thibault Tricole to get over the line against the methodical Mario Vandenboogaerde 

Steve Beaton will be surprised to be second favourite in his opener against the talented Wessel Nijman  

Owen Bates against Steve Lennon could be a good shout with Lennon having his professional career on the line at the championships. 

Strap yourself in for the trials and tribulations, the ups and the downs, the swings and roundabouts and with £2.5 million prize money on offer the ride will be wild.   

Prediction

Gerwyn Price to win it all @ 7.0