Mickey Mansell vs Leonard Gates Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 PDC World Darts Championship | First Round
Former North American champion Leonard Gates takes on Mickey Mansell in a battle between two players who have consistent reached the second round in recent years.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock Premium
Mickey Mansell vs Leonard Gates prediction
Mickey Mansell is set to take part in his tenth World Darts Championship and does so having reached the second round in each of his last four appearances. The last two years ended in heartbreak for Mansell, who lost 3-2 to Brendan Dolan and Jonny Clayton respectively, so Mansell arrives at Ally Pally which extra motivation to make the third round for the first time in his career.
Leonard Gates has been a top USA player for a significant period of time now. CDC Cross-Border Challenge Winner, the San Antonio native has won twice in the first round at Ally Pally before losing 3-1 at the hands of Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall respectively. Like Mansell, Gates is looking to take that next big step by getting to round three.
Each of the last four losses that either one of these two players have suffered at the World Darts Championship have seen them both win at least one leg in defeat. That suggests that we could be in for a close contest and with that in mind, backing over 4.5 total sets offers good value.
Mickey Mansell vs Leonard Gates tip: Over 4.5 total sets
