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World Darts Championship, day 12: Preview, order of play, how to watch and predictions as Humphries and Wright clash

The reigning champion is in action on Sunday evening at Alexandra Palace.

Written by Mitch Fretton
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World Darts Championship, day 12: Preview, order of play, how to watch and predictions as Humphries and Wright clash

Main event

Luke Humphries is set to face Peter Wright for day 12’s showpiece in the World Darts Championship, following a fiery exchange of words between the two competitors.

The defending champion and top seed, Humphries, has smoothly advanced through the tournament and now faces Wright, a two-time World Champion in 2020 and 2022.

However, the build-up to their clash has been anything but cordial, with Wright dismissing Humphries’ chances early in the tournament, leading to heated verbal exchanges during press conferences.

The tension will finally come to a head as only one of these champions will remain standing after tonight’s highly anticipated match.

Wright, known as “Snakebite,” previously said: “I know I can still compete with them. You know, what I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.

“People think, ‘Oh, he should be retiring, he should be going to the old gits’ thing [the seniors tour]. No, I’m not ready for that yet. I’m ready to upset Luke Littler. I’m here to upset Luke Humphries.”

In response, Humphries, who has yet to drop a set in his opening two matches at Alexandra Palace, fired back: “If I don’t fear someone, I don’t keep mentioning them all the time. He’s had a lot to say over the last couple of weeks where he says that he doesn’t fear me and Luke Littler, but he said he’s going to smash us.

“The pressure’s on him now because if he doesn’t then the egg’s on his face, not mine. I’m really, really relaxed, and if he doesn’t beat us then it’s going to look silly on him, not me.

“I’m one world title away from almost matching his career, and I’m about 25 years younger, so I think one world title would match everything he’s ever achieved in the game.”

In another high-stakes matchup, two of the sport’s top ten seeds, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, will also go head-to-head.

Price, a former winner of the tournament, thrives in high-pressure situations and has often embraced the role of the crowd’s “pantomime villain.”

The afternoon session will feature matches involving Jeffrey de Graaf, Kevin Doets, and Dimitri Van den Bergh. The evening lineup begins with Ricky Evans facing Robert Owens, followed by the clash between Clayton and Price, and culminating with the main event – Humphries versus Wright.

Order of Play 

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM

  • Jeffrey de Graaf vs. Paolo Nebrida
  • Kevin Doets vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
  • Dimitri Van den Bergh vs. Callan Rydz

Evening Session – 7 PM

  • Ricky Evans vs. Robert Owens
  • Jonny Clayton vs. Gerwyn Price
  • Luke Humphries vs. Peter Wright

How to watch

The PDC World Championship is being screened on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can watch the afternoon session on Sky Sports Darts and Main Event from 12:30 GMT. The evening session is on Sky Sports Darts and Main Event from 1900.

Predictions

Humphries vs Wright is certainly a mouthwatering matchup and would have been even if they had not fired shots at each other in the week.

The reigning champion swept through the last round with a 4-0 win over Nick Kenny.

He looks in top form and although Wright is throwing well alongside him, it is hard to look past Humphries for this one.

The other evening games are anyone’s guess. Gerwyn Price struggled last time out before clutching up in a sudden death leg, but faces No.7 seed Jonny Clayton. The Welshman will need to rely on his experience at Ally Pally to guide him past his opponent.

Meanwhile, Ricky Evans will fancy his chances against Robert Ownes, and No.11 seed Dimitri Van den Bergh should make his way past Callan Rydz.

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