2025 PDC WC Saturday Afternoon Preview

After yesterday’s profitable afternoon for James Punt at the Ally Pally, the evening session didn’t go quite as well but we move on. Check out his 2025 PDC WC Saturday Afternoon preview and tips below.

Ryan Joyce vs. Ryan Searle

The same first name, but two very different sort of players. Joyce, the understated and underrated Northerner, against the long haired, heavy, scoring, Heavy Metal from the Southwest.

Joyce is having a good year and doing a lot better in the majors than Searle. In the last seven ranking majors, Joyce has made two semi-finals and quarter final. He has also made a quarter final here, way back in 2019. Joyce’s recent form sees seven wins from his last ten matches and while his scoring is a bit on the light side, he is reasonably consistent with his last eight all over 91 averages.

Ryan Searle has won six of his last ten matches and was very impressive in his 3-0 win over Matt Campbell in the second round. He averaged over 99 in that one and while his consistency has left a bit to be desired, he is the heavier scorer of the two. Searle is not so hot when it comes to the majors. In the last twenty ranking majors he has played in, he has made one quarter final and that was well over a year ago. Joyce has been getting closer, more often, more recently.

Their H2H record is 4-2 to Ryan Joyce, but they have not played since 2022. They have only met once on TV, with Searle winning that 6-5 in the 2021 Players Championship finals.

Searle is the 1.57 favourite with Joyce 2.40.

Searle has played six third round matches and won just two. He has always won at least two sets. Joyce has only played in one and won it 4-3 back in 2018. I am happy to go with the underrated Joyce at a reasonable price.

2025 PDC WC Saturday Afternoon Tip: 1 point Ryan Joyce to win @ 2.40 with Fitzdares

Scott Williams vs. Ricardo Pietreczko

Williams has won five of his last ten matches, but five of his last six, and they have all been on TV. He is a different player on TV. His record at Ally Pally is good. This is just his third visit to the People’s Palace, but he has played ten and won eight.

Pietreczko has won six of his last ten matches but he has not impressed in many. Seven sub 92 averages will get found out soon enough. He has averaged just 90.10 across his first two matches. Pietreczko went out at this stage last year, taking Luke Humphries to a deciding set, again, only averaging 91. These two have only met once and that was a 6-2 win for Pietreczko back in March 2023.

Williams loves this stage and has the firepower to really hurt Pietreczko.

2025 PDC WC Saturday Afternoon Tip: 1 point Scott Williams to win @ 1.67 with Ladbrokes, Hilles, Boylesports, SpreadEx

Nathan Aspinall vs. Andrew Gilding

Two former UK Open winners, who could hardly be further apart in terms of playing style. Aspinall is all energy, bouncing around like Tigger, but struggling to throw the dart. Gilding is slow, deliberate and just a wee bit weird.

Aspinall is still on the comeback trail from his injury. He seems to be a little frustrated that his return to form is taking longer than he would have liked. He has won five of his last ten matches and is not playing with much consistency.

There is not a lot of consistency in Gilding’s game either. He too has won five of his last ten matches, hitting four sub 90 averages and a 115. Hard to predict.

Their H2H record is 7-3 to Aspinall, so he can handle Gilding’s weirdness. He won their last three matches, but the last was in 2023. They have never met on TV before. Aspinall shouldn’t enjoy playing Gilding. He prefers a faster pace of play and a more combative type of opponent. He would much rather play Gerwyn Price than Andrew Gilding.

Gilding has never reached the third round here before, while Aspinall has played five third round matches, won the first two but has lost his last three.

Aspinall is the 1.54 favourite which is too short for me, but Gilding makes no real appeal either. No bet.

2025 PDC WC Saturday Afternoon Tip: No Bet

-JamesPunt