Wayne Mardle and Rod Studd look ahead to day three at Alexandra Palace
Saturday 16 December 2017 23:34, UK
It's the first of this year's double sessions at the World Darts Championship on Saturday, with two-time champion Gary Anderson the headline attraction.
Like opening night victor and defending champion Michael van Gerwen, Anderson is chasing a third World Championship title and will be the third match on in Saturday's evening session.
He plays Jeff Smith or Luke Humphries, who get the evening action started with the preliminary round match, while the Netherlands have three players in action with Jelle Klaasen and Jan Dekker going head to head and Jermaine Wattimena up against Joe Cullen.
Two-time major winner Robert Thornton is the star name in the afternoon but he could face a tough opener if experienced campaigner Brendan Dolan comes through his preliminary match, which starts in Saturday's afternoon session.
Mervyn King has a tough test against Zoran Lerchbacher while Benito van de Pas meets Steve West in another intriguing contest - over to our experts.
Rod Studd - Benito hasn't really progressed the way we thought he would when he burst into the top 16.
Taking the next step is a big step and he hasn't really done that and Steve will be an awkward opponent, he's beaten Phil Taylor at the Grand Prix and had Mervyn King on toast before his brilliant fightback.
It will be an interesting game because if he doesn't bring his A-game, Benito will have a problem.
Wayne Mardle - The one outsider who I think is going to win is Lerchbacher, who people will not really know unless they are religious viewers of all darts - like those of us who do our research.
Zoran has massively improved and Mervyn is not playing well.
It may not be the most exciting on paper but it is a must watch for me, as these matches can tell you how good someone can be.
Zoran is underestimated and if he can beat Mervyn it might be the catalyst for him to believe in himself a bit more.
Wayne Mardle - I have quite liked Robert of late but he is so erratic. When he is on we know he wins majors, there is no rhyme or reason to his form.
I have said for years, on his game, there is no better double top hitter than Robert Thornton, but he lacks confidence for no apparent reason at any point.
He has put a few illness issues behind him and I think he will beat whoever he plays - probably Brendan, and Brendan will be tricky because he makes you think about what's going on.
Tough to call but I think Robert gets through it.
Rod Studd - Joe is occasionally brilliant but often erratic. Last year is a perfect example, he was brilliant averaging over 100 in beating Corey Cadby and was then atrocious against Adrian Lewis.
His action doesn't lend itself to any consistency but if he is off against Wattimena he could get beat. If it's the best Joe Cullen he wins, but Jermaine has a couple of good wins and is not to be taken lightly.
Wayne Mardle - I have never been a Jan Dekker fan - I was always confused whenever he won a darts match but the more I watch him now, the more I think how wrong could I be for the last decade.
I have seen more of him in a consistent mode and I quite like the way he plays - I think he has the ability to take care of Jelle.
But this match is all about Jelle Klaasen, if he hits his doubles he wins it and I don't think he will be worried about Jan, and the same goes the other way.
It will be an open, flowing game, there'll be no shenanigans on stage, they'll go at it like two young men playing a sport how it should, and I think Jelle just gets the better of it, even taking into account his doubles - I really want to have a word with him, especially his double tops!
Wayne Mardle - Gary will have a difficult game, no matter who wins the preliminary-round match between Humphries and Smith.
Jeff is a former BDO World Championship runner-up and Luke won the Challenge Tour Order of Merit - this time last year that was Rob Cross.
I doubt Luke is as good. If he is then we are in for a treat, but he is a very good darts player.
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues on Saturday with the first of the tournament's double sessions - coverage underway on Sky Sports Darts from 12.30pm and 7pm
Keep up to date with the news as the PDC celebrates 25 years on Sky Sports. So get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts - don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
