Darts

The PDC World Darts Championship starts at Alexandra Palace on Friday December 15. Two-and-a-half weeks of darts awaits before the champion is crowned at the famous venue on January 3. Michael Smith is the defending champion having beaten Michael van Gerwen in the 2023 showpiece to lift the trophy for the first time.

Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith were our pre-tournament picks to dominate the PDC Darts World Championship and a cracking final is on the cards. Smith has impressed in reaching back-to-back deciders but may again have to settle for second best against the outstanding Dutchman.

Michael van Gerwen continues his quest to end his title drought when he faces Nathan Aspinall in the World Matchplay quarter-finals on Friday. The Dutchman is enduring an unusual barren spell having not won a tournament since November while Peter Wright and Michael Smith square off in the night’s other last-eight clash.

After former world champion Rob Cross was eliminated from the Premier League on Judgement Night, focus now turns towards the battle for the play-offs. Glen Durrant is ahead of world champion Peter Wright, with just two points separating third and seventh as the action continues.

Nathan Aspinall is 7/4 to win the PDC Home Tour as seven weeks of live darts draws to a conclusion. He is joined in the final by Gary Anderson, Jelle Klaasen and Jonny Clayton.

Darts greats Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld will have one more tungsten tussle on Thursday night as they provide live sport without leaving their homes. The pair, with 21 world titles between them, built up a famous rivalry during their glittering careers.

We’ve reached the semi-finals stage with our bwin Grand Slam of Darts predictions and have a 99/1 correct score double for Sunday in Wolverhampton. This event features the top stars from the PDC and BDO codes and has £450,000 in prize money up for grabs, with £110,000 going to the champion.