Day 10 of the 2026 PDC Darts World Championship delivers seven second-round ties, with Michael Smith vs Niels Zonneveld and Chris Dobey vs Andrew Gilding among the highlights. Betting angle: back established names like Smith and Jonny Clayton in match markets for safety, but look to Brendan Dolan, James Hurrell or Ricardo Pietreczko for value bets if odds underplay their upset potential.
Day 10 Preview: 2026 PDC Darts World Championship
Day 10 kicks off a 32-game slate in the tournament’s second round, packed with marquee names and potential upsets. Ryan Searle opens the action and the card features a mix of proven contenders and hungry challengers aiming to crash the last-32 party.
Match Schedule and Times (Local)
Afternoon Session
Ryan Searle vs Brendan Dolan — Sat., Dec. 20, 12:45 p.m. Andreas Harrysson vs Motomu Sakai — Sat., Dec. 20, 1:30 p.m. Dirk van Duijvenbode vs James Hurrell — Sat., Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m. Dave Chisnall vs Ricardo Pietreczko — Sat., Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m.
Evening Session
Michael Smith vs Niels Zonneveld — Sat., Dec. 20, 7:15 p.m. Chris Dobey vs Andrew Gilding — Sat., Dec. 20, 8:00 p.m. Stephen Bunting vs Nitin Kumar — Sat., Dec. 20, 9:00 p.m. Jonny Clayton vs Dom Taylor — Sat., Dec. 20, 10:00 p.m. (Clayton advances after Taylor failed a drug test)
Key Matches to Watch
Michael Smith vs Niels Zonneveld — Smith’s pedigree and recent deep runs make him the clear favorite, but Zonneveld can pressure with heavy scoring and a composed checkout game. Dirk van Duijvenbode vs James Hurrell — A compelling clash of van Duijvenbode’s power scoring against Hurrell’s clinical finishing; momentum on early legs will be decisive. Chris Dobey vs Andrew Gilding — Dobey’s consistency in big moments makes him the safer pick, but Gilding’s experience can swing legs quickly if given opportunities.
Betting Implications and Tips
Back favourites such as Michael Smith and Jonny Clayton in straight match markets for lower-risk plays. Seek value in live markets: Dolan, Hurrell and Pietreczko could be mispriced prematch and offer worthwhile returns in match or handicap markets. Consider leg-based props and over/under on 180s in games involving heavy scorers like van Duijvenbode and Searle.
Bracket Notes and Tournament Impact
The second-round bracket now reflects Day 10 winners pairing into a stacked last-32. Jonny Clayton’s automatic advance after Dom Taylor’s failed drug test alters draw dynamics and gives Clayton a clearer path to the later stages. Winners from Day 10 will feed into matches against top seeds in the next rounds, so momentum here can be critical for deep runs.
What This Means for Contenders
Established stars aim to consolidate seeding advantage while mid-ranking players look to spring surprises. Tournament rhythm favors those who can maintain high scoring and convert doubles under pressure; expect tight, strategic contests as players fight for last-32 positioning.
The second round of the 2026 PDC WC is here!
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