Wade Set for Ally Pally Challenge

World number two James ‘The Machine’ Wade begins his PDC world title challenge this evening as he takes on Spaniard Antonio Alcinas at Alexandra Palace.

Wade will be seeking revenge for England’s shock PDC World Cup defeat earlier this month when he and Phil Taylor were defeated by a Spanish team that included Alcinas. That loss should also serve The Machine with a stark reminder, if any were needed, that this match cannot be taken lightly.

However, despite Alcinas’s recent triumph over Wade it should be noted that the pairs format of that game means there can’t be too many comparisons made here. Wade is 1/9 with the bookmakers to progress here and is 9/1 second-favourite to go all the way and win this event for the first time in his career.

Other seeded players in action this Monday evening include Alan Tabern, Kevin Painter and Dennis Ovens.

The first of which to take to the stage will be Tabern as he lines up against Welshman Richie Burnett for a place in the second round. Tabern is quoted by the bookmakers at a shade of odds-on whilst Burnett is a relatively short 13/8 to cause an upset.

Their match will be followed by the short preliminary round matchup between Germany’s Jyhan Artut and Hong Kong’s Scott Mackenzie. Artut’s fellow countrymen Andree Welge went close to producing the comeback of the first round on Friday night after he missed three darts at a double to beat Colin Lloyd having won the third and fourth set to level the match.

Artut will have an opportunity to cause an equally surprising upset if he can overcome Mackenzie, Ovens awaits in the first round for the winner of this preliminary round match.

And finally, 2004 World Championship finalist Kevin Painter takes on Irishman Brendan Dolan in the night’s only other game. Odds of 2/5 are available to back Painter and it is 9/4 that Dolan can cause an upset and make it to the second round of the PDC World Championships for the second consecutive year.