The Main Event
Raymond van Barneveld takes on Jim Williams tomorrow night knowing a win will put him through to a mouthwatering last 16 clash against teenage sensation Luke Littler.
Littler has lit up the PDC World Darts Championship this year, cruising into the fourth round with wins against Christian Kist, Andrew Gilding and, last night, Matt Campbell.
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Van Barneveld knows he has a job to do against Williams but is relishing the prospect of a clash with the 16-year-old.
“There’s a lot of pressure on me [to progress] because Peter Wright lost and James Wade lost so the section has opened up but I have to focus on Jim Williams,” said five-time world champion Van Barneveld.
“There’s a 16-year-old kid who is playing awesome darts and when I watch darts I want to watch a guy like him. I like fast, fluent and finishing. His celebrations are something and he’s a character.
“I’m very impressed, but I love darts. I don’t want to watch matches where players are slow. I love 180s and 140s – this is what the game is all about.
“Littler is quality. He looks like a really young Michael van Gerwen but it’s too early to say I’m going to play him down the road but I hope we do play each other.”
LITTLER GOES ON, AGAIN 🤯
It’s another breathtaking display from Luke Littler as he smashes Matt Campbell 4-1 to reach the Fourth Round at Alexandra Palace.
It will be Raymond van Barneveld or Jim Williams, next!
How far can he go?
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | R3 pic.twitter.com/IZm6m3Ypef
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2023
Gary Anderson, who has won this event twice, takes on Boris Krcmar in the opening match of the evening session with two fourth round matches to follow.
Order of Play
Afternoon session (from 1230 UK time)
Damon Heta v Berry van Peer (R3)
Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski (R3)
Jim Williams v Raymond van Barneveld (R3)
Evening session (from 1900 UK time)
Boris Krcmar v Gary Anderson (R3)
Two fourth round matches
How to watch
The PDC World Championship is being screened on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the afternoon session on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event from 1230. The evening session is on Sky Sports Arena from 1900 and Sky Sports Main Event at 2230.
Predictions
Unfortunately, I am not convinced Van Barneveld is good enough to set up the clash the darting world wants. I am going for Williams to come through, along with Heta and Clayton.
Anderson should prove too strong for Krcmar.
