Ian White vs Mervyn King Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 PDC World Darts Championship | First Round
Diamond takes on the King as Ian White faces Mervyn King in a battle between two very experienced players.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock Premium
Ian White vs Mervyn King prediction
This has the potential to be one of the stand-out matches across the first round when considering what these two have achieved in the game on the big stage. Ian White was a quarter-finalist at the World Darts Championship back in 2014, whilst former BDO World Masters champion and Lakeside runner-up Mervyn King reached the semi-finals at Ally Pally all the way back in 2009.
However, King is making his first appearance at the palace in three years after making it through a PDC Challenge Tour qualifier. At 59-year-old, he’s not the same player he used to be but playing back on the biggest stage in darts should light a fire under him and if King rediscovers his best, then he’s a player no big name would want to face.
In the 13 prior World Darts Championship appearances made by Ian White, he has never once lost by three sets to nil which underlines how tough of an opponent he is, even taking a leg from Luke Littler last year. That streak should continue here, with the Diamond usually decent on trebles, although his finishing can frustrate. This is a showdown between two really well-matched players and backing it to go the distance warrants serious consideration.
Ian White vs Mervyn King tip: Over 4.5 total sets
