The latest World Championship seed profiles focuses on three players all showing excellent form at times this year going into the biggest event of the year.
Last time out, we looked at youth prospects Max Hopp and Jeffrey de Zwaan. This time we look at De Zwaan's compatriot Jermaine Wattimena, Mervyn King and Darren Webster. All odds are provided by World Championship sponsors William Hill, and are correct at time at publication.
Jermaine Wattimena
Seed: 18
Age: 31
Nationality: Dutch
Previous World Championship appearances: 5
Best PDC major performance: Quarter-Final - World Grand Prix 2019
Walk-on: Bella Ciao by Hardwell & Maddix
Odds to win: 250/1
Wattimena has emerged as one of the top darting talents and alongside Jeffrey de Zwaan, will aim to take the number two spot outright in the Netherlands. 'Machine Gun' has been improving at a rapid fire pace and despite not winning a PDC event yet is up to 17th in the world and has been making steady progress in all areas of his game.
His best ever run on TV came this year when he reached the Quarter-Final at the World Grand Prix losing out to Glen Durrant in the end. His first test could be difficult but at the same time could suit the pace that the Dutchman throws at as a tie with Luke Humphries or Devon Petersen awaits. After an excellent year, don't rule Wattimena out at Ally Pally.
Mervyn King
Seed: 19
Age: 53
Nationality: English
Previous World Championship appearances: 12
Best PDC major performance: Runner-up - World Grand Prix 2012, Premier League 2009, Championship League - 2008, Players Championship Finals 2010 and Masters 2014
Walk-on: King of Kings by Motorhead
Odds to win: 250/1
King comes into this year's World Championship ready for his 13th appearance in the PDC version and in his best form in some time as 19th seed.
'The King' has reached Quarter-Finals at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals this year all despite constant back issues blighting his play at times.
A quarter of the draw that includes the likes of Gerwyn Price, John Henderson and Simon Whitlock, it could be another good opportunity for the Bradwell ace to reach the latter stages. He has to first get past Ross Smith or Ciaran Teehan, both of whom have shown good form as of late.
Darren Webster
Seed: 20
Age: 51
Nationality: English
Previous World Championship appearances: 9
Best PDC major performance: Semi-Final - Players Championship Finals - 2016
Walk-on: Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen
Odds to win: 250/1
Webster is a curious case, a player who for the most of the year hasn't done much form wise has emerged again now as the World Championship approaches. He reached the Last 16 at the Grand Slam of Darts showing glimmers of form and in typical 'Demolition Man' fashion, stirring up controversy with Watergate being the main takeaway.
Whether he can take this into the World Championship is another matter. He faces another in form player in Ryan Meikle in what would be an Ipswich-Norwich derby or Yuki Yamada, who is an unknown quantity but has played well on the PDC Asian Tour this season and like most other players who ply their trade on that tour is also very good at soft tip.
Memories of his defeat to Vincent van der Voort 3-0 last year could be in play; but if he can play like he did in Wolverhampton, it could be a good few weeks for the Norwich ace.
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