THE FACTS
When is Gary Anderson vs Brendan Dolan taking place? Monday 16th December, 2019 – evening
Where is Gary Anderson vs Brendan Dolan taking place? Alexandra Palace, London
What channel is Gary Anderson vs Brendan Dolan on? Sky Sports Darts
Where can I stream Gary Anderson vs Brendan Dolan? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Gary Anderson vs Brendan Dolan? https://www.pdc.tv/william-hill-world-darts-championship-tickets
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Gary Anderson beat Brendan Dolan 6-1
THE PLAYERS
GARY ANDERSON
- Twice a winner of this tournament, Gary Anderson has never lost his opening match at the PDC World Championship and he has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of his last five appearances at Alexandra Palace.
- Since losing to Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals at the 2011-12 tournament, the only players Anderson has lost to at the PDC World Championship are Raymond van Barneveld, Michael van Gerwen (three times) and Phil Taylor.
- Anderson’s form in 2019 has been below his usual standards. He was forced to pull out of the Premier League through injury at the start of the year and his appearances on the tour have not been frequent. Aside from winning the World Cup of Darts for Scotland alongside Peter Wright in June, his results in TV tournaments have been underwhelming.
BRENDAN DOLAN
- A quarter-finalist at Ally Pally last year, Brendan Dolan recorded his best ever World Championship match average of 97.35 in his round one win against India's Nitin Kumar on Sunday afternoon.
- Dolan’s finishing was lethal in the straight sets win against Kumar as he ended the match with a very impressive checkout percentage of 69.23%.
- The head-to-head record between Dolan and Anderson is level at eight wins each and the Northern Irishman has tasted success against Anderson on the big stage previously, with a victory at the World Grand Prix in 2012.
THE PREDICTION
Gary Anderson has an excellent record at the PDC World Championship and will be looking to extend his run of having never lost in his opening game at the tournament. Although he hasn’t had a great 2019, he still has undoubted talent, and his motivation will be at its peak on the biggest stage of all. Dolan is certainly not the ideal opponent for Anderson as the pace of his play is much slower than Anderson prefers. The Northern Irishman’s career has also been revitalised with two tournament wins this year and he looked in good form in his opening round win against Kumar. Anderson might just be able to shake off his dogged opponent, but it could go to a deciding set.