Ally Pally 2023: Ones To Watch

AS we kick off Ally Pally 2023 lest have a look at some of those who may prove worthwhile watching over the next three weeks. Whether they have a shot at winning the title are involved in a dramatic return or just have an intriguing early-round match these tungsten tusslers are worth casting your eye over:

Peter Wright

Nickname: Snakebite

First Match: Micky Mansell/Ben Robb Time: Thurs Dec 15th EVE

Peter is the current World Champion, claiming the Sid Waddell trophy for the second time last year with a win over Michael Smith.

The colourful Scotsman will be looking for a hat-trick of World Championship trophies and will play the winner of the pair who open the tournament, Micky Mansell or Ben Robb

Gerwyn Price

Nickname: The Iceman

First Match: Luke Woodhouse/Vladyslav Omelchenko Time: Mon 19th Dec EVE

The Welshman sits on the PDC dart throne, claiming the world Number 1 spot.

Price lifted the World Championship trophy back in 2021 with no crowd due to COVID. Warming up for the Worlds, Gerwyn has claimed the World Series of Darts title and a Euro Tour title whilst also reaching 4 QFs, 1 SF and 1 Final in his 2022 campaign.

The Number 1 seed will either play Woodhouse or Ukrainian debut Omelchenko in his first game.

Michael Smith

Nickname: Bullyboy

First Match:

Smith has a good record at Ally pally despite not yet lifting the title. After breaking his TV major hoodoo in the Grand Slam of darts there will be little to hold Smith back. He has had a fine season winning at almost every level.

Two previous finals and some monumental victories over storied names mean that Smith should not be discounted.

Jonny Clayton

Nickname: The Ferret

First Match: Steve Beaton/Danny van Trijp Time: Fri 23th Dec EVE

Clayton claimed 2021 as the Year of the Ferret taking 1st place in the Grand Prix, Masters, Premier League and the World Series finals.

Clayton has yet to claim a title in 2022 but has seen 6 Semi-Finals and 1 Finals appearance during the 2022 season.

Clayton will start his campaign against, former World Champ Steve Beaton or Danny van Trijp in R2.

Luke Humphries

Nickname: Cool Hand

First Match: Keegan Brown/Florian Hempel Time: Thurs 22nd Dec EVE

Luke Humphries has enjoyed the best year of his darting career, claiming four Euro Tour titles in the Czech Republic and Germany to top the European Tour Order of Merit, with Michael van Gerwen in second.

Cool Hand has reached the Quarter Finals three times at the Ally Pally, losing last year to Gary Anderson 5-2 having beat Rowby-John Rodriguez and Chris Dobey in the earlier rounds. The Red Dragon man’s amazing year has put him as the Number five seed for the 2023 World’s, having started the year outside the top 16 on the Order of Merit.

Danny Noppert

Nickname: The Freeze

The reigning UK open champion has had an outstanding year. Not only did he nag his first PDC ranking major but he also became a father and performed superbly in a variety of other events across the PDC’s range.

The Dutchman has performed at Tour, European Tour, Masters and major level and could well prove a threat to the bigger names at this year’s main event.

Richie Burnett

Nickname: The Prince of Wales

First Match: Adam Gawlas Time: Sat 17th Dec AM

A little fairytale magic is just what the festive season needs and the Lost Prince of Wales could be the man to provide it:

Richie Burnett secured his spot at the Ally Pally in the nick of time, edging out fellow Red Dragon man David Evans 7-3 in their decisive match at the Barnsley Metrodome, a venue well known for the PDC Pro Tour events.

The Prince of Wales won the BDO World Championship back in 1995 having beat Raymond van Barneveld 6-3, in a year where he went into the tournament as the second seed. The 55-year-old qualifies for the Ally Pally having earnt his tour card back in January, going through Q School in Wigan.

Burnett will face Czech Republic International Adam Gawlas who recently played at the Grand Slam of Darts in the First Round, with the winner to face 16^th seed Ryan Searle.

Michael Van Gerwen

Nickname: MVG /Mighty Mike

First Match:

We left MVG to last in order to make sure everyone else got some attention. Michael has had a superb return to his near-best this years and picked up a hatful of titles as a result. The reigning Premier League and World Matchplay Champion is going for the hattrick of the games elite titles to add to those he has already added to his vast collection including Pro Tours, European Tours and the Player Championship finals.

However, for a player of such standing his Ally Pally record is not what it could be. Regardless of this, you should keep an eye on him anyway, as even when he has not claimed the title The Green Machine has been involved in some epic encounters including the phenomenal semi-final with Rob Cross in 2018

—–ENDS—–

Images: PDC

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