The Alexandra Palace party continues on the run-up to Christmas, and we’ve picked out four PDC World Darts Championship predictions for the second round matches.
Leading contenders like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are again expected to advance without any problems, but our selections can be backed at less prohibitive odds.
2026 PDC World Darts Championship Second Round ACCA
2026 PDC World Darts Championship Second Round ACCA
Niels Zonneveld To Beat Michael Smith
Niels Zonneveld To Beat Michael Smith @ EVS
Smith’s career has come off the rails since being crowned world champion three years ago, with injuries and poor form seeing him tumble down the rankings. Bully Boy safely negotiated an opening encounter with Lisa Ashton, but his post-match comments highlighted a lack of confidence.
He said, “I had to keep focused, and I nearly messed up again. Not a great game, but I’ll take it…The butterflies were mad this morning. That is the first time I felt 100 per cent this year, but I didn’t play 100 per cent.”
Dutchman Zonneveld averaged an impressive 115 in the final set of his 3-0 triumph over Haupai Puha and can pick up the pieces if Smith struggles.
Dave Chisnall To Beat Ricardo Pietreczko
Dave Chisnall To Beat Ricardo Pietreczko @ 5/6
Chizzy extended Fallon Sherrock’s wait for another win at the World Championship with a solid success in straight sets. The 45-year-old always seems to rise to the occasion at this tournament, making the final four in 2021 and reaching the last-eight stage on three other occasions.
Chisnall hit the target with 47 per cent of his double attempts in round one and can progress again if repeating that accuracy on the outer rim.
Joe Cullen To Beat Mensur Suljovic
Joe Cullen To Beat Mensur Suljovic @ 8/13
The Rockstar was in superb form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0, surrendering just two legs and averaging an excellent 99.33. Cullen admitted that things have not gone to plan this year, but declared, “This is where it matters. Something comes over me here! I’m just itching to get onto the stage, because this is the tournament everyone remembers.”
The former World Masters champion has reached at least the third round on his last five visits to Ally Pally and is looking to extend that sequence.
Luke Woodhouse To Beat Max Hopp
Luke Woodhouse To Beat Max Hopp @ 4/9
Woody was put under a bit of pressure when Boris Krcmar snatched the opening set of their first-round clash by taking out 121 on the bullseye, but he didn’t panic. The 37-year-old recovered to prevail 3-1 with an average of 90.22, continuing a decent run of form in the final third of the year.
Woodhouse reached a first European Tour final at the Swiss Darts Trophy in September and made it through to a Players Championship decider the following month.
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