Michael van Gerwen has had an inconsistent run in 2024 and he’ll be hoping to start with a bang in the 2025 World Darts Championship.
Mighty Mike has suffered from illness and gone through extensive dental surgery this year, but has still managed to capture Pro Tour and Euro Tour events at the Hungarian Darts Trophy and Players Championship 21.
The Dutchman surprisingly crashed out of the quarterfinals of the 2024 World Darts Championship, losing to Pro Tour qualifier Scott Williams 5-3.
Michael van Gerwen will be looking to kickstart his 2025 with his first major win since the World Series of Darts Finals in 2023.
This is his most likely route to the final of the Alexandra Palace tournament.
Second round – Jim Long
Up first for van Gerwen is Canadian Jim Long as he plays in his first World Darts Championship since reaching the last 64 in 2019.
Long has proved he can tussle on the big stages with the darting elite, having previously set up a tie with Mighty Mike at the 2023 US Darts Masters after the Canadian upset Michael Smith in the first round.
Mighty Mike prevailed on that day and he’s almost guaranteed to do the same here.
Third round – Brendan Dolan
Mighty Mike will set up a third-round clash against Brendan Dolan after his opening-round tie as the Irishman will be looking to build on his quarterfinal appearance in 2024.
Dolan won his first ranking tournament in two years at the Players Championship 10 but has struggled to go deep in major tournaments since his World Darts Championship exploits at the start of the year.
Dolan famously toppled van Gerwen 10-7 in the first round of the World Matchplay in 2023 so The History Maker will provide a tough test for Mighty Mike early on at Alexandra Palace.
Fourth round – Gary Anderson
The tough games keep coming for Mighty Mike as he’ll likely face a resurgent Gary Anderson in the fourth round.
Anderson has translated his floor form to the big TV events over the last few months, particularly at the Grand Slam of Darts in November.
Anderson toppled van Gerwen at the Wolverhampton event, but Mighty Mike has won three of their last five meetings.
Quarterfinal – Dimitri Van den Bergh
A first meeting since February between Dimitri Van den Bergh and van Gerwen could be on the cards in the last eight of the World Darts Championship.
van Gerwen comfortably won that match 11-2 in The Masters on his route to the final before his loss to Stephen Bunting.
Van den Bergh has had a solid 2024, peaking with the second major tournament win of his career at the UK Open.
However, Mighty Mike has an extraordinary record against the Belgian thrower, winning their last four meetings.
Semi-final – Josh Rock
It may seem a surprise to see Josh Rock’s name in the semi-final, but the Northern Irish youngster has been handed a side of the draw with a rusty Gerwyn Price, an out-of-form Michael Smith, and Joe Cullen.
It’s a testament to Wessel Nijman’s current ability that it looks as if he stands a better chance than some of the seeded players to make it deep into the tournament, but Rock is favourite for the final four currently.
Rock famously hit a nine-darter against van Gerwen in the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts and a meeting between the two in the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace could be one for the ages.