PDC World Championship darts: Monday afternoon preview and best bets

After hitting the woodwork with his opening night selections, our darts tipster Matt Hill (@Matt_Hill93) has dusted himself down ahead of day two at the PDC World Championship.

Monday’s afternoon session comprises of three round one clashes and a solitary second round contest, as four-time semi-finalist James Wade enters the fray. 

Our man has picks for all four matches.

Corr, that was a frustrating (but still hugely enjoyable) opening night!

Joe Comito, God bless him, played exaclty how I thought he might by averaging mid-70s for a large bulk of the match. Sadly, Thibault Tricole seemed to struggle with a severe case of the Ally Pally nerves and despite getting the job done, did contrive to drop a set and sink my 3-0 NAP. 

Then it was onto Stefan Bellmont, who covered the 180 line comfortably but was unable to get the one set needed for my 23/20 poke against an inspired Jermaine Wattimena. Even with his opponent on fire, the Swiss star still spurned one set dart in set three. That was all she wrote!

And Kim Huybrechts, who I really fancied to get the better of Keane Barry, did himself no disservice in defeat. 10 180s and a 98 average wasn't enough against the young Irishman, who produced what I'd say was his best performance in years. Credit to him.

So, starting on the back foot in terms of keeping this colum profitable but there is a long, long way to go. Let's get stuck into Monday afternoon's slate!

PDC World Championship 2025 betting tips

Wesley Plaisier vs Ryusei Azemoto

One of the 2024 season’s breakout stars, Wesley Plaisier will make his PDC World Championship bow as an extremely heavy favourite when he takes on Asian Tour qualifier Ryusei Azemoto.

Plaisier didn’t even have a tour card this year but that didn’t stop the 34-year-old Dutchman ripping up the Pro Tour on multiple occasions when qualifying as a reserve.

He impressively surged into back-to-back finals at Players Championship events 13 and 14, losing 8-7 to Ross Smith and 8-5 to Jonny Clayton in both showpieces.

That was a remarkable enough feat on its own but Plaisier went one step further in October, beating Josh Rock 8-7 in the PC28 final to become only the fourth ever player to win a Pro Tour title as a non-card holder.

All things considered, this looks like a man right at home on the main tour but it wouldn’t be surprising to see some nerves on his Ally Pally debut.

Azemoto, like most from his neck of the woods, is methodical, mechanic and a very steady scorer. He doesn’t chuck too many stray darts and should be able to stay competitive in a fair share of legs.

You would think Plaisier’s class will eventually tell though and taking him on a -1.5 set handicap (i.e. to win 3-0 or 3-1) and hit the most 180s looks very fairly priced at just north of even money.

Best bet - Wesley Plaisier -1.5 sets and most 180s @ 21/20 (Bet365)

Luke Woodhouse vs Lourence Ilagan

Game two sees world number 34 Luke Woodhouse tackle the enigmatic Lourence Ilagan of the Philippines in a clash which looks sure to entertain in some shape or form.

After years of grinding away on the circuit for little reward, Woody appears to be a man finally kicking on again.

The 36-year-old has, at many times, been his own worst enemy on the oche — beating himself up about errors and shaking his head when the tide turns against him.

But with improved results across the last 18 months or so, including a first major semi-final at the European Championship in October, Woodhouse can arrive here optimistic of delivering a decent showing.

Ilagan is quite a character. Preparing for his ninth appearance at Ally Pally, he’s never lacked confidence during his trips toBritish shores.

He strides around the stage like a man possessed, agitatedly flicking his baggy shirt up and down, aggressively taking aim at targets and propelling his arrows more like a battle-hardened soldier of yesteryear chucking spears.

But he can play too. Averages in the high 80s in recent years means it always takes a decent effort to get past him, while his pace can unsettle even the most experienced campaigners.

This will be a litmus test of how much Woodhouse’s mindset and composure have indeed improved. This is the exact kind of game that would’ve caused him big problems in previous years but I believe he’s a better player now.

Ilagan exited his Grand Slam of Darts group without a win last month and I think the likeable 46-year-old could be in for a tough time this year. 

The 3-0 scoreline looks a bit big at 9/4 and is well worth a point.

Best bet - Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Lourence Ilagan correct score @ 9/4 (general)

Alan Soutar vs Kai Gotthardt

Firefighter come dog rescuer Alan Soutar must be a strong contender for nicest bloke on the PDC circuit but he’ll have to show a nasty streak to avoid an upset against dangerous German Kai Gotthardt.

Souts somehow failed to qualify for last year’s Worlds, which is remarkable when you consider he made the last 16 in both on debut in 2022 and then again 2023. 

But the Scotsman has had a patchy couple of years, in reality. 

The highlight of this season was undoubtedly a first PDC title, triumphing at Players Championship 11 in Hildesheim. But that was virtually the only highlight too.

Worryingly, his form coming into this tournament is rotten. The Scot suffered first round exits in the last seven floor events of the season, as well as falling at the first hurdle in Minehead last month.

His opponent Gotthardt has barely graced the PDC’s senior circuit yet but is certainly one to watch, having qualified through the notoriously tough German Super League.

He produced a couple of impressive comebacks in that run to glory, including in the final where he was 4-2 down to tour card holder Paul Khrone — eventually winning 8-7 with a nerveless 86 finish in the deciding leg.

Also a winner on the competitive Modus Super Series this year, Gotthardt has plenty of talent and while he lacks consistency, I make him one of the livelier outsiders in this first round.

On our big preview show, I flagged up the German to win the 180 count as one of my best bets of round one with quotes of 4/1 knocking about. 

Those are long gone but I still think the 5/2 on offer from both William Hill and 888Sport is worth a point.

Money for Gotthardt means the current 6/4 best price on offer is probably best watched but I wouldn’t discourage anybody who was tempted to play.

Best bet - Kai Gotthardt most 180s @ 5/2 (William Hill)

James Wade vs Jermiane Wattimena

James Wade looks to have one of the trickiest opening clashes of the seeded players when he faces Jermaine Wattimena, who showed he remains in fine nick by demolishing Stefan Bellmont 3-0 on opening night.

Wade, preparing for his 21st Ally Pally tilt, remains one of the game’s most dangerous operators despite advancing years. 

He’s called the Machine for good reason. Remarkably, the 41-year-old has never averaged north of a ton at this venue but his legendary finishing ability makes him a threat to every player in the field when on something close to his A-game.

What he faces in Wattimena, though, is a man producing his own A-game more often than not at the moment. He is a man transformed in the last 12 months.

The Dutchman has always had bags of ability but has seldom been able to couple it with consistency — until the back-end of 2024, that is.

Playing at a slightly slower pace, with improved temperament and much improved finishing, the Machine Gun has quite rightly been touted as a dark horse here by many and will really fancy his chances of an upset.

If you can even call it that. Wattimena opened up a best-price 11/10 and has quickly been backed into 10/11, meaning the market views this game as a pick’em.

Interestingly, these two played out a cracker at the European Championship, with Wattimena prevailing 10-9. Wade was 9-8 up and failed to take out 97 for a 10-8 win, so may feel like he owes his counterpart a dose of revenge.

Prior to that clash, Wade had won the previous five career meetings and I do think his experience will see him over the line here, just.

The more appealing play for me, though, is over 4.5 sets. This has a decider written all over it to my eye and the 7/4 on offer looks worth a nibble. Then we can watch the deciding set in peace!

Best bet - Over 4.5 sets @ 7/4 (general)

Matt's best PDC World Championship bets for Monday, December 16, 2024

• 2pts - Wesley Plaisier -1.5 sets and most 180s - 21/20 (Bet365)
• 1pt -  Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Lourence Ilagan correct score - 9/4 (general)
• 1pt -  Kai Gotthardt most 180s vs Alan Soutar - 5/2 (William Hill)
• 1pt -  James Wade vs Jermaine Wattimena over 4.5 sets - 7/4 (General)