PDC World Championship: Quarter 3 Preview

There are 24 competitors in quarter three of the PDC World Darts Championship draw, all of whom will be hoping they can emerge triumphant and book a semi-final place at Alexandra Palace amid the Christmas jollity.

Michael Smith, who won the World Championship two years ago, is the top seed in the quarter. ‘Bully Boy’ beat Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in a thrilling final to enter the most exclusive club in darts.

Smith is the headline act in the quarter but his confidence has taken a hit in recent months. He has failed to make a significant impact on the tour since becoming world champion and an early exit at the Palace this year could see the St Helens man drop out of the world's top 10.

Smith can be backed at 9/2 to win the third quarter. He is out of form but could he be inspired by a return to the scene of his greatest darting achievement?

We take a look at how this section might unfold at the Palace.

World Darts Championship Quarter 3 Tip - Wessel Nijman to win Quarter three @ 4/1

Smith has become so frustrated with his abject form at hitting doubles lately (37.7% for the year) that he said he has stopped throwing at them in practice because he did not want to further dent his confidence.

The comments underline the lack of self-belief that Bully Boy is bringing to the Ally Pally oche this year. He has been sliding down the world rankings and appears a vulnerable top seed in quarter three.

Smith will meet either Kevin Doets or Noa-Lynn van Leuven in his first match, so is certain of a difficult opener.

Doets pushed Smith all the way when they met at the same stage of last year's championship, while Van Leuven, the first transgender player to feature in the Worlds, has the potential to further unsettle a fragile Smith.

Another former world champion lacking comfort between the ears is also in this quarter.

Gerwyn Price won the 2021 World Championship when the arena was entirely spectator-free due to Covid. The Welshman enjoyed the peace and quiet that year but has suffered from hecklers in the crowd when the Palace has been full.

Price can be backed at 5/1 to win quarter three, but he has been struggling badly of late and as such there is a strong preference for rising star Wessel Nijman at 4/1.

Nijman had a difficult start to his professional career, suffering a suspension for offences as a youngster, but the 24-year-old Dutchman is right back on track going into the World Championship. He is building on that early promise and looks capable of going deep in this competition.

Nijman has been producing some eye-catching averages on the Pro Tour this year and in the Baltic Sea Darts Open in May he beat Luke Littler 6-3, before winning a Players Championship in October. This will be Nijman's second World Championship, so he has experience on the Ally Pally stage.

There seems every chance of Wessel-mania building at the Palace as this wiry Dutchman shows off his skill. He has been a prolific champion on the PDC Development Tour and looks ready to become a superstar on the main circuit.

South African Cameron Carolissen should be easily dismissed in round one, then Nijman can see off Joe Cullen in round two. Price, Jonny Clayton or Daryl Gurney may be waiting for Nijman from there, but he would fancy his chances against any of them.

Nijman, known as ‘the Stork’, can be expected to progress to the quarter-finals. Perhaps his most likely opponent for that would be either Chris Dobey or Josh Rock. Dobey made the quarter-finals of last year's championship, while Rock is a gifted but inconsistent youngster.

Dobey at 9/2 and Rock at 6/1 are alternative options to win the third quarter, but Nijman at 4/1 seems a more solid proposition.