Josh Rock vs Gemma Hayter Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 PDC World Darts Championship | First Round
Big things are expected of world number 11 and World Cup winner Josh Rock, who faces Gemma Hayter in round one.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock Premium
Josh Rock vs Gemma Hayter prediction
Former PDC World Youth Champion Josh Rock is starting to live up to his prodigious talent and it feels like only a matter of time before the 24-year-old is a serious contender for the Sid Waddell Trophy. This could well be the year for Rock, who back in June registered the biggest triumph of his career so far, winning the World Cup of Darts representing Northern Ireland.
Gemma Hayter has her work cut out in this match and will be a huge outsider. She qualified via the PDC Women’s Series and is one of five woman taking part in this year’s World Darts Championship. Three others have already been knocked out, whilst the fifth, Beau Greaves features later in the day against Rock’s World Cup teammate Daryl Gurney.
It’s a great story and fantastic achievement for Hayter to be on the Ally Pally stage after only returning to darts in 2024. But Rock is a formidable opponent, a consistent treble hitter and won’t be phased at all by potential having the crowd against him. He’ll be expected to not only win, but also heavily outscore Hayter with more treble-figure checkouts.
Josh Rock vs Gemma Hayter tip: Josh Rock to win 3-0, hit the most 180s and the most 100+ checkouts
