We profile the names in contention for 2017 William Hill World Darts Championship

Ahead of the 2017 William Hill World Darts Championship, we are running the rule over the contenders from the top 16 in the betting.

Before we look at the leading lights we have cast our eyes over the form of the players who might just cause a surprise or two at Alexandra Palace.

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Sky Sports Darts are showing live coverage of the tournament from December 15-January 2 and here's our look at the season so far along with their Sky Bet odds for a surprise title.

Jelle Klaasen - Sky Bet odds 50/1

First round opponent: Jeffrey de Graaf

PDC World Championship Best: Semi-final (2016). Winner BDO (2006).

Last year at World Champs: L0-6 v Gary Anderson (Semi-final)

This Season: UK Open - SF; Premier League - DNQ ; World Matchplay - R1; Grand Prix - R1; Grand Slam - DNQ; Players Championship - R3.

Expert's Verdict: Everyone is looking at Jelle Klaasen. He's got the scoring power, his only problem is finishing. Scoring-wise, he can live with the big boys. Keith Deller.

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Mensur Suljovic- Sky Bet odds 66/1

First round opponent: Ron Meulenkamp

PDC World Championship Best: R3 (2011 & 2016).

Last year at World Champs: L0-4 v Adrian Lewis (R3)

This Season: UK Open - R5; Premier League - DNQ ; World Matchplay - R2; Grand Prix - R1; Grand Slam - Group; Players Championship - R1.

Expert's Verdict: Have you watched [Suljovic] on doubles? He looks at them and I'm thinking "He's just going to get you". He is an absolute machine. Wayne Mardle.

Benito van de Pas - Sky Bet odds 100/1

First round opponent: Tengku Shah or Masumi Chino

PDC World Championship Best: R3 (2015 & 2016).

Last year at World Champs: L0-4 v Michael Smith (R3)

This Season: UK Open - R5; Premier League - DNQ ; World Matchplay - R1; Grand Prix - QF; Grand Slam - R2; Players Championship - R1.

Expert's Verdict: He's a little vulnerable at times, but he's still developing on the mental side of things. He definitely has scoring talent and can finish. He's got a lot of the key ingredients. John Part.

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Ian White - Sky Bet odds 100/1

First round opponent: Kevin Simm or Gilbert Ulang

PDC World Championship Best: Quarter-Final (2014).

Last year at World Champs: L0-4 v Dimitri Van den Bergh (R1)

This Season: UK Open - R3; Premier League - DNQ ; World Matchplay - R2; Grand Prix - R1; Grand Slam - Group; Players Championship - R2.

Expert's Verdict: The problem with him is that he misses doubles at crucial times. If he gets over that hurdle, like Peter Wright did, he'll win more. If he can win a big game against one of the top boys, that'll give him the confidence to hit crucial doubles. Rod Harrington.

Kim Huybrechts - Sky Bet odds 100/1

First round opponent: James Wilson

PDC World Championship Best: Quarter-Final (2012).

Last year at World Champs: L2-3 v David Pallett (R1)

This Season: UK Open - R5; Premier League - DNQ ; World Matchplay - R1; Grand Prix - QF; Grand Slam - DNQ; Players Championship - QF.

Expert's Verdict: He's got a good game about him - good scoring power, and I like his emotion. He's an extremely good player. If you're a major seed, you don't want to play Kim in the early rounds, you'd class that as a dangerous draw. Rod Harrington.

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Michael Smith - Sky Bet odds 100/1

First round opponent: Ricky Evans

PDC World Championship Best: Quarter-Final (2016).

Last year at World Champs: L4-5 v Raymond van Barneveld (QF)

This Season: UK Open - R4; Premier League - 10th ; World Matchplay - R2; Grand Prix - R1; Grand Slam - DNQ; Players Championship - R1.

Expert's Verdict: A player that beat Phil Taylor so memorably at the Worlds last year and progressed into the world's top eight. This year has been awful for Michael, he hasn't had anything but no one knows where confidence comes from and he could beat Ricky Evans and get some confidence back and go on a run. Rod Studd.

Simon Whitlock - Sky Bet odds 100/1

First round opponent: Boris Koltsov or Dragutin Horvat

PDC World Championship Best: Runner-up (2010).

Last year at World Champs: L2-3 v Ricky Evans (R1)

This Season: UK Open - R4; Premier League - DNQ ; World Matchplay - R1; Grand Prix - QF; Grand Slam - R2; Players Championship - R2.

Expert's Verdict: He's had a revival lately so there are signs that he could be very dangerous. He's quick and throws hard - he knows what he has to do. You can tell when the aggression comes out of his game and he has that resilience back again. He's got opportunities, but it won't be handed on a plate to him. John Part.

Robert Thornton - Sky Bet odds 125/1

First round opponent: Zoran Lerchbacher or Simon Stevenson

PDC World Championship Best: Quarter-Final (2015).

Last year at World Champs: L0-3 v Alan Norris (R1)

This Season: UK Open - R2; Premier League - 8th; World Matchplay - R2; Grand Prix - R1; Grand Slam - Group; Players Championship - R1.

Expert's Verdict: He loves double top and is very good on double top. Some like it and some don't! Wayne Mardle.

Follow every day of action from Alexandra Palace on Sky Sports Darts throughout the World Championship from December 15-January 2.