The main event
Tomorrow's reduced schedule will see four matches in an evening session headlined by 12th seed Nathan Aspinall.
Asp endured a disappointing season, falling outside the top 10 in the world rankings as a result.
Stockport are confident but can erase the memory of last year's opener defeat to Ricky Evans and sink at Alexandra Palace after changing their build-up.
He told Online Darts: “Last year I took a different approach. I didn't do any exhibition. practice practice practice I know what you are. I'm playing really well into the world.
“I worked with Michael Smith for hours; But we all know how that ends.
“This year, I will go to work, I will do many exhibitions, I will do many exhibitions, But I wouldn't do it on my own. With these big productions you're playing on big stages. I played in front of 10,000 in two nights. What's a better practice than you know?”
Gates danced his way to two rounds. 🕺
📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqZ5tR #WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Fe1QazE2
— PDC Sticks (@OfficialPDC) December 16 2024
Aspinall has struggled to get fit as well as form in 2024, but is hoping to finish this year on a high and return to the top 10.
“I'm not outside the top 16. In my opinion, I'm a top 10 player, people may disagree, but I'm a top 10 player and I know I have to work hard, play everything. Don't try to be complacent,” he added.
“I'm giving 110% and I know everyone says that and after a week they stop playing, but this year I'm going to do everything.”
Aspinall should be too tough for Gates, who demolished Cameron Menzies 3-1 on a tear in his opener.
The pair will accompany Evans in the first two matches of the evening, Jim Williams and Paolo Nebrida and Christian Kist against Madars Razma and Christian Kist.
Order (from 1900 UK time)
Jim Williams and Paolo Nebrida (R1)
Madars Razma and Christian Kist (R1)
Ricky Evans and Gordon Mathers (R1)
Nathan Aspinall and Leonard Gates (R2)
How to monitor
The PDC World Championship is shown on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the evening on Sky Sports Darts at 1900 and Sky Sports Main Event at 2130.
Estimates
Expect a win for Williams and Evans and a close contest between Razma and Kist. I think Kist can shade it.
Aspinall will do well to watch American Gates dance. An emphatic win would not only ease him into the top three, but also give him the self-belief his form has lacked in recent months.