PDC World Darts Championship 2019 preview - Saturday December 15, afternoon session

Six of the eight players taking part are from the three nations - and two of those compete in the first match. Richard North came into last year's World Darts Championship as the top player from the PDC Pro Tour Order of Merit. Raymond van Barneveld sent him packing right away. Now North is back, with Robert Marijanovic in his sights. The German Superleague winner has been here twice before; his campaigns ended against Daryl Gurney and Stephen Bunting. Both were making their debut at the time - perhaps North's prior experience will help the man from Freudenstadt. Mickey Mansell hasn't yet won a match at the PDC World Championship. But the Clonoe Cyclone proved in a spectacular Players Championship 8 triumph that he has the touch of class he needs to do well. The Northern Irishman faces a man stepping onto the hallowed Ally Pally oche for the first time. Jim Long is the latest player to continue Canada's long World Championship legacy. The CDC Championship Circuit's top man doesn't need to match John Part's achievements. A solitary win would be a good start.

Should Long lose, Canada faces losing its entire representation in one afternoon. Jeff Smith will be planning to fly the flag for a while, no matter how his compatriot gets on. The Silencer opened with a 170 checkout and a 2-0 win over Luke Humphries last year, before getting the Gary Anderson treatment. This time his first opponent is former world youth finalist Josh Payne. The winner of this one plays Dave Chisnall. A year ago, it wasn't 100 per cent clear whether or not Max Hopp would be at the World Championship. Not only is the Maximiser here, he's a seed. It has been a stunning year for the German cult hero. A large Teutonic following will be backing him in London. As a double PDC event winner, and a man who has beaten Mervyn King and Vincent van der Voort on the Alexandra Palace stage, he is a force to be reckoned with. So too is Danny Noppert. It looks on paper like a match that is tough to call. The winner would be straight into the last 32 - albeit against Michael van Gerwen, most likely. for more information about the PDC World Darts Championship, including schedules and the prize fund breakdown. 12:40 Richard North v Robert Marijanovic (R1) 13:40 Mickey Mansell v Jim Long (R1) 14:40 Josh Payne v Jeff Smith (R1) 15:40 Max Hopp v Danny Noppert (R2)