2025/26 World Darts Championship: Day 1 Betting Tips

• Over 4.5 Sets: 2/1 at BetVictor

Kim Huybrechts has qualified for his 15th consecutive PDC World Championship, but the Belgian has a poor record at Ally Pally for a player of his ability. Huybrechts is obviously not the player he was 10 years ago, but even still, just one run to the 4th round since his quarter-final run on debut isn't the best.

Arno Merk qualified for his PDC World Championship debut by defeating Daniel Klose 8-6 to win the PDCE Super League. He averaged 99.66 in the quarter-final, and the German has experience of playing in a World Championship after competing at Lakeside almost 15 years ago at the age of 19.

Huybrechts has to be careful here, especially after suffering a first-round defeat last year. This isn't an easy game for the Belgian, and Merk also seems as though he can be as loud and aggressive as the Hurricane, from what I've seen in the German Super League. If Merk can get on top early, this could well become a dog fight and go all the way to 5 sets.

• Over 3.5 Sets: 17/10 at BoyleSports

The 2023 World Champion, Michael Smith, returns to Ally Pally for his 15th appearance, but it has certainly not been a good time for Bully Boy since conquering the world. Various injuries and a dip in form have seen the St Helens star fall to number 28 in the world.

He requires a big run this year to get his career back on track, but faces a tricky test against four-time Women's World Champion Lisa Ashton.

Ashton returns for her 5th appearance at Ally Pally, and her first in 3 years. She'll be quietly confident here, especially considering how out of form Smith is.

These two also know each other very well, which, in my opinion, helps Ashton. If she settles early, she can certainly be competitive enough to win a set.

• Darius Labanauskas Over 1.5 180s: 7/4 at Ladbrokes

The reigning Champion and the World Number one, Luke Littler, begins his defence with a tricky tie against Darius Labanauskas.

The Nuke has had another wonderful year, winning six major titles with a running average of 100.96. He comes to Ally Pally in fantastic form and is rightfully the bookmakers' favourite to win his second World Title.

Labanauskas has seemingly been written off by both pundits and the bookies, but the Lithuanian is vastly experienced and reached the quarter-final here in 2020.

I expect Littler to come through this, but Labanauskas will remain competitive enough, and the fact that he is odds against to hit two 180s looks very generous.

• Jamai van den Herik Most 180: 17/20 at Ladbrokes

Madars Razma is vastly experienced at Ally Pally, and will be making his 7th consecutive appearance. The Latvian is tough to beat because of his odd style of going down for 19s for the majority of matches, and he will be dangerous again here.

Jamai van den Herik has had a breakthrough year, and has qualified for his debut at the PDC World Championship via the Development Tour rankings. The young Dutchman looks to be another brilliant talent and if he settles he can cause Razma all sorts of problems.

The 180 market is always something I look out for during matches involving Madars Razma, simply because he doesn't start on the 20 every turn.

I've seen a bit of Jamai van den Herik on the Pro Tour streams this season, and he looks to be another good power scorer coming through, so he should comfortably hit more maximums than the Latvian.