Nathan Aspinall vs Leonard Gates Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 PDC World Darts Championship | Second Round

Click here to see the walk-on songs for all the top players at this year’s World Championship!

12th-seed Nathan Aspinall opens his account against experienced American Leonard Gates, who saw off Cameron Menzies in an emotionally-charged first-round contest on Monday.

Start date/time: Wednesday 18th December, 2024, UK – not before 10:15pm / US ET – not before 5:15pm / US PT – not before 2:15pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – DAZN

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – DAZN

Nathan Aspinall vs Leonard Gates Prediction

It’s been a fairly lean year by Nathan Aspinall’s standards with the Stockport thrower failing to make much of an impact in the big events aside from a semi-final appearance at the Master in February. Despite some injury problems this year though, he remains a danger and heads into the worlds as the 12th seed.

The Asp, a former UK Open and World Matchplay winner, made the semi-finals on his first two appearances at Alexandra Palace but has not progressed beyond the third round in his four participations since. By a player of his standards, that is undoubtedly an under-achievement.

Veteran thrower Leonard Gates dominated North American darts in 2024, winning three CDC titles, and has featured in both the UK Open and Grand Slam of Darts this year, reaching the fourth round in Minehead.

The American, on his second appearance at Alexandra Palace, hit three ton-plus checkouts in defeating an emotional Cameron Menzies in his first-round contest on Monday, but he knows he will need to significantly improve upon the 82.96 average he threw in that match if he is to stand a chance against Aspinall.

Gates has performed well on the PDC stage this year and notably beat Peter Wright in the Grand Slam. He is capable of nicking at least a set here, but Aspinall’s class should tell in the end.

Nathan Aspinall vs Leonard Gates Tip: Nathan Aspinall to win 3-1