Friday at the World Darts Championship
Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting and Dimitri Van den Bergh also in action; coverage underway on Sky Sports Darts from 7pm
Monday 18 December 2017 16:18, UK
Phil Taylor is the headline attraction on day two of the World Darts Championship, taking on Chris Dobey in what could be The Power's final match as a professional.
After the defending champion Michael van Gerwen kicked off the tournament on the opening night, it is the turn of the 16-time champion of the world to begin his last tournament.
The Power was last victorious at the Worlds in 2013 and he faces a tough draw if he is to add a 17th world crowd as the ultimate fairy tale to his legendary career.
Rising star Chris Dobey is the first-round opponent and will test The Power in the third match of the evening, before Rob Cross takes to the Alexandra Palace stage for the first time after a stellar year - he meets the winner of the night's preliminary round contest between Seigo Asada and Gordon Mathers.
The night's opening first-round match sees former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting take on World Youth Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh and we have asked our experts for their verdict - three-time world champion John Part steps up.
Live World Darts Championship
Stephen Bunting v Dimitri Van den Bergh
"I think it's a good match, as both men are showing some pretty good form lately - it's the toughest match of the night and it could be a five setter," Part told us in the tournament media centre.
"Van den Bergh might just edge it even though Bunting has started to look good again lately - although I don't know how much he believes in himself.
"There is always a lot of pressure at the Worlds and I think I would lean towards Van den Bergh."
Phil Taylor v Chris Dobey
"I expect Phil to get the job done despite the fact that Dobey could be a danger," said Part.
"But there is a double pressure on Chris, it's the World Championships and it's Phil's last tournament.
"Chris has got nothing to lose but I can't see Phil messing about - he's got a tough draw and it's one of the toughest he has got over the years.
"It will be a tester, but Phil's level at the majors this year means it shouldn't be a problem for him."
Rob Cross v Seigo Asada/Gordon Mathers
"I don't know too much about the preliminary guys but what I do know is a lot about Rob Cross now," said Part of the 27-year-old's emergence onto the scene this year.
"Based on Rob's form you cannot see him having a problem but experience is another thing and this is his debut in this tournament on this stage.
"What he has got over the last few months is some other big stage experience so I think he would be OK and it should on form be a walkover for him.
"Rob relies on the level of his game to win matches so he doesn't need to be too strong mentally because he is such a consistent producer."
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues on Friday and ends on New Year's Day - coverage available throughout on Sky Sports Darts.
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
