18 hours Ago By [email protected] (Craig Swan)
Almost time to go at the Palace Christmas over and now down to business. It's fast and furious from now on. A week tonight, we'll crown a champion and so the fight begins.
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. Stuck between a Rock and a hard place Josh Rock is hoping he and Rangers can have a Happy New Year . The Northern Irish star is gunning for Ally Pally glory with the final on January 3.
One day prior to the darts showpiece, Philippe Clement’s side host Celtic . Rangers are well behind in the title race and Rock said A tough time. They are five years behind.
It’s the exact same thing as Manchester United. They are so far behind. Something is not right in that changing room.
We talk about Manchester United , they had the smiles back on their faces under [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy. Rangers, they don’t look happy. The dreaded 10 in a row is probably going to happen.
Rangers cannot afford to sack Clement because of the contract they gave him. There is a big payout for him as he signed for four years. Rangers have a major problem at the moment and, whenever they play Celtic, I expect a cricket score.
They are just not there. I like now as of next year they will allow fans back into Celtic Park and Ibrox. They all need it.
If you cannot be there to support your team, it is difficult for the players. Especially at Celtic Park with no fans. Vice versa at Ibrox.
It is good when they come back. If Rangers lose, I might say a few swear words! If you are a true football fan, it does annoy you. Same as United when they lose.
Day 10 third round order of play Afternoon Session 12.30pm Damon Heta v Luke Woodhouse The Australian’s stunning start to the tournament went under the radar coming straight after Luke Littler’s on-stage tears six days ago, yet the performance against Connor Scutt was terrific. Heta wired a nine-dart effort and averaged over 98.
Woodhouse was equally impressive in taking care of Laurence Ilagan in round one, but his display dropped off against Mike De Decker, despite the fact he was beating a player of a higher ranking and seeding. Heta goes in as a strong favourite. Jonny Clayton v Daryl Gurney Both players had gruelling second-round matches and were pushed to the limit.
Clayton needed a sudden-death leg to see-off Mickey Mansell. Clayton, the No.7, came up with big shots at big times and he scored well.
Gurney needed all of his class to fight back and defeat Florian Hempel. The German was strong against him and the Northern Irishman had to deliver to get through. He did with an average of almost 100.
A tight one to call between two big pals. Stephen Bunting v Madars Razma The Bullet is being tipped to have a deep run in the competition and there was plenty to like in his second-round win over Kai Gotthardt. However, Bunting had to survive a set dart for a 2-0 deficit and he’ll need to start quicker against the dangerous Razma.
The Latvian is a nightmare for opponents with the way he can speed up and slow down. He slowed the pace of the game against Dirk van Duijvenbode after losing the first set in round two and the Dutchman couldn’t handle it. Bunting might have the face scenario.
The Scouser is long odds-on, but it could get tricky if he does not fully fire. Evening Session. 7.
00pm Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen Price has been badly out of form in the build-up to the Ally Pally and didn’t even qualify for last month’s Grand Slam. However, he says he has his enthusiasm back and it was a solid enough win in his first game against Keane Barry. It must be said the Irishman didn’t show up and Price may need to improve.
Cullen had a serious bee-in-his-bonnet before and after his game against Wessel Nijman due to the fact he was written-off as the underdog against the Dutch kid. He played with strong motivation to average almost 100 and, if he keeps those fires burning, he’s got a big shot. Jermaine Wattimena v Peter Wright The Dutchman has been strong in his opening two matches.
The showing against Stefan Bellmont in the first round was good and he upped it again to send seed James Wade packing in his second match. He also has a 6-0 defeat of Wright in the bank from The European Championship two months ago. Snakebite was patchy against Wesley Plaisier and, given his poor form coming into the event, the odds are stacked against the two-time champ.
Wattimena is long odds-on with the bookies and that says it all. Luke Humphries v Nick Kenny Humphries was given a rapturous welcome back to the Ally Pally on the opening night and he responded with a comfortable win over Thibaut Tricole. It was not a vintage showing from Cool Hand, though, as he has more gears to go up.
Kenny has been a success story of the event. He beat Stowe Buntz in the first round before taking care of an out-of-sorts Raymond van Barneveld in the second round with a win that secured his our Card for 2025. He may give the champion one of two things to think about, but the World No.
1 should be progressing without fuss. Good morning Who has been craving a return of the darts action these last few days? Well, the waiting is over..
