Friday 19 December 2014 19:15, UK
Phil Taylor begins his quest to land a 17th World Championship title when he takes on little-known German Jyhan Artut in the first round.
'The Power' will be desperate to avoid another early exit at the Alexandra Palace after suffering a shock second round defeat to Michael Smith last year.
The pre-tournament favourite has since returned to form by claiming a seventh consecutive Matchplay title and 15th in total and then winning last month's Grand Slam title with an average of over 100.
Taylor is 1/33 on to win his match with Sky Bet and is 22/1 to land a nine-darter against Artut. The German is a 12/1 outsider to cause a huge upset.
Fellow Stoke thrower Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton opens up proceedings on the second day of action when the 12th seed takes on Canada's Dave Richardson.
Richardson, from Ontario, is not expected to trouble the 12th seed, but after Cristo Reyes stunned No 13 seed Wes Newton and Keegan Brown knocked out three-time world champion John Part on Thursday, Hamilton will be wary of his opponent.
Hamilton is 2/9 to come through while Richardson is priced at 100/30. The Potters man to win the match, score the most 180's and hit the highest checkout is a 6/4 shot.
Last year's beaten finalist Peter Wright opens up his campaign against former professional rugby player Gerwyn Price.
'Snakebite' Wright lost 7-4 to Michael van Gerwen in last year's final and the fifth seed will be seeking a return to the showpiece event although he must get past the former Cross Keys hooker who enjoyed a loan spell with Glasgow last season.
All eyes will be on what colourful hairstyle and extravagant clothing Wright will take to the oche in.
He is 1/5 to win the match and a 170 checkout to the Scotsman is an 8/1 shout. Price is priced at 7/2 to defeat the 44-year-old from Livingston.
World No 32 Stuart Kellett will be last on the stage and Manchester's finest, nicknamed 'KO' will be aiming to produce a knockout punch when he tackles the winner of the match between the two qualifers Kim Viljanenm from Finland and Germany's Sascha Stein.
Order of play:
7.10pm Andy Hamilton (12) v Dave Richardson
8.15pm Kim Viljanen v Sascha Stein (P)
9.00pm Peter Wright (5) v Gerwyn Price
10.00pm Phil Taylor (2) v Jyhan Artut
11.00pm Stuart Kellett (32) v Kim Viljanen/Sascha Stein
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