PDC World Championship day 5 preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and what's the order of play?

The highly-rated Michael Smith and Robert Thornton are also in action

James Wade (Getty Images)

James Wade will embark upon his latest attempt to win a world title at Alexandra Palace tonight, as the PDC William Hill World Darts Championship enters its fifth day of action.

The 32-year-old, who is the third most successful player in the PDC’s history, undoubtedly has the talent to take this year’s Sid Waddell Trophy and may benefit from falling into the ‘easier’ half of the draw.

He will face the winner of the tournament’s last remaining preliminary round tie between Warrick Scheffer and John Michael, neither of whom should offer Wade much resistance.

The highly-rated Michael Smith, likewise, should not have a problem overcoming 19-year-old Jeffrey De Zwaan, who reached the quarter-finals at this year’s PDC Youth World Championship.

The evening’s other encounter, between Robert Thornton and Alan Norris, may be closer to call.

Norris, a runner-up at the BDO World Championship in 2014, has the ability to cause the sixth-seed problems and may well prosper if Thornton has an off-day.

Order of play

Monday December 21 (7pm-11pm)
1x Preliminary Round, 3x First Round

Warrick Scheffer v John Michael
Robert Thornton v Alan Norris
Michael Smith v Jeffrey De Zwaan
James Wade v Scheffer/Michael