Hogsback Darts Tips

Michael Smith really should find this an easy enough win. Anything else would really turn the screw on Smith's chances of ever getting back to his best.

It would be the shock of the century should Luke Littler lose this opening match against Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas. It just won't happen.

Mervyn King has been out of the limelight for some time. He has started to claw his way back. This will be a big game for King, as it represents a possible move up the rankings with a few decent money wins. Ian White has always been hanging on to his PDC placing, too.

Gian van Veen has now well surpassed Cristo Reyes, who made a splash in a few ranking tournaments around COVID time. Gian van Veen has a bright future in the game and will be aiming to go deep in the tournament.

Boris Krcmar has won at the World Championship previously when listed as a big underdog. He is a very dangerous player and not one who gives any seeded player an easy ride.

Karel Sedláček will give Wessel Nijman a run for his money in a difficult opening match for the Dutchman. Sedláček has had a solid enough season to warrant a decent chance of an upset.

To lose this opening match, Luke Humphries would have to have something seriously wrong in his life. Ted Evetts doesn't expect much from this draw.

Richard Veenstra is a very short price against the experienced Indian player Nitin Kumar. The experience Kumar gained at the Doubles World Cup and in previous World Championship matches should prove invaluable.

Up-and-coming Bradley Brooks can surely end Joe Cullen's World Championship campaign for another year. Cullen has voiced concerns about not loving the game anymore.

German player Max Hopp is coming back into form after a long injury layoff. He enjoys playing and can get the better of the slumping Martin Lukeman.

Paolo Nebrida can pull off a win over 'Shaggy' Scott Williams. Paolo Nebrida has done it before and had a good run at the World Championship. Williams is a middle-of-the-road type of player.

Ricardo Pietreczko has put in some decent performances over the past year. He continues to progress on the European circuit. José de Sousa has faded from his glory days.

Stefan Bellmont is a young player on the rise. He has started to get results now, such as in the Grand Slam of Darts. Raymond van Barneveld does not inspire confidence anymore and is close to retirement.