Who will start 2016 as the king of the Ally Pally oche?
Thursday 3 December 2015 12:48, UK
With the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace just around the corner, we map out the route to glory for the top four names in the game - Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright.
'The Flying Scotsman' Anderson will be aiming to retain the title he won shocking 16-time champion Phil Taylor 7-6 in a thrilling final.
World No 1 Van Gerwen seems to be the man to beat this year though with the Dutchman having seemingly won everything under the sun since the end of the Worlds in January.
He has already won 18 PDC events this year, including The Masters, UK Open and World Matchplay, but will be equally determined to add to his 2014 Ally Pally title.
'The Power' arrives in north London seeking his first world crown since 2013, while 'Snakebite' Wright will be aiming to return to the final having finished as runner-up to Van Gerwen two years ago.
The 26-year-old will play the winner of the preliminary round tie between Thailand's Thanawat Gaweenuntawong and Germany's Rene Eidams first up.
He could then face John 'Hendo' Henderson and should he come through that he will be on a collision course with his Dutch compatriot and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in a blockbuster of a third-round clash.
MVG could take on either Michael Smith or Ian 'Diamond' White for a spot in the semi-finals where two-time former champion Adrian Lewis or fourth seed Peter Wright may well be waiting for him.
The top seed could then face last year's champion Gary Anderson or the great Phil Taylor in a dream final.
The world No 2 will start the defence of his title against Denmark's Per Laursen or Andy Boulton.
Anderson, 44, could then be in line to face young Jamie Lewis before a potential encounter against the rapid-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort.
After that Anderson is likely to take on either James Wade or Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals and then a potential semi-final date with Phil Taylor or a battle against fellow Borders thrower Robert Thornton.
If Anderson is to progress to his third final at Alexandra Palace he could face either Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright or a repeat of the 2011 final against Adrian Lewis.
The 55-year-old will be targeting a 17th World Championship crown, but last lifted the Sid Waddell trophy back in 2013.
He starts off against either Japan's Keita Ono or Alex Tagarao from the Philippines before a potential rematch of the epic 2004 final against Kevin 'The Artist' Painter.
Next up for the Stoke thrower could be either Mervyn King or former Lakeside champion Jelle Klaasen.
If he wins that Taylor may well come across World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton before a semi-final date with either Gary Anderson or James 'The Machine' Wade.
Taylor could face Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright or his protégé Adrian Lewis in the final.
Fourth-seeded Scotsman Wright is the last of the major contenders and is Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle's favourite for the title.
He faces a very tricky first-round test against former World Youth champion Keegan Brown though and could then face Dean Winstanley before a match-up against Dave Chisnall.
After that Adrian Lewis or Kim Huybrechts could well be lying in wait for him before a potential semi-final meeting with world No 1 Michael van Gerwen.
If he manages to get through that lot, he is likely to take on either fellow countryman Gary Anderson or Phil Taylor in the final.
The PDC World Darts Championship is live on Sky Sports between December 17 and January 3.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
