So, onto quarter two. If the top quarter looks like a breeze for MVG, the man who will face him in the semi-finals is less certain, a massive understatement to say the least. This section is full of players who could do something very special, players who have proven themselves on big stages before and players with plenty to prove of their own. This section has major winners, world champions in waiting, players experiencing something of a renaissance, and also Paul Lim. What’s not to love?

If seeding is anything to go by, Michael Smith (4) is the favourite to come through this section. The ‘Bully Boy’ seems to be everyone’s answer to the ‘future world champion’ question, and on his day it isn’t difficult to see why. With Smith, it all seems to depend on how he starts, especially when it comes to the doubles. He has matured greatly over the years, but the eyes still roll when the doubles percentage plummets. We’re also getting dangerously close to a major title being a massive albatross for Smith, in the same way it is for Dave Chisnall. Smith is scheduled to face Luke Woodhouse or Paul Lim in round two, before a potential last 32 meeting with Belgian chucker Dimitri van den Bergh (29).

Van den Bergh is at a pivotal point in his career. Long touted as a top 16 player, the Belgian has stagnated somewhat in 2019, failing to impress as much on stage as on the floor. He should still manage to overcome Josh Payne or Diogo Portela in round two, but van den Bergh has gone from the most dangerous unseeded player in the draw to a vulnerable seed. I think he’ll get to round three, but Smith will have too much for him.

So who awaits Smith in round four? Adrian Lewis (13) and Darren Webster (20) are the two seeds below him, and both will fancy their chances of making it through the quarters at least. Webster has had a very quiet year but showed glimpses of his quality at the Grand Slam of Darts, while two-time former champ Lewis always seems to be on the verge of breaking back into something approaching form. The latter’s mentality is always a talking point, while Webster has struggled as a seeded player at Ally Pally.

Are there any dangers lurking in the unseeded portion of their draw? Casual viewers will say no, although some might remember Cristo Reyes putting in a stunning performance in defeat against MVG a few years back. But there is a shark in these waters, a shark with a perfect technique by the name of Laurence Ilagen. The Filipino could surprise a few, and it won’t shock me if he beats Reyes, Lewis and Webster before coming short against Smith in the last 32.

Gary Anderson (5) is also in this quarter. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ has been largely anonymous in 2019 as injuries have taken their toll, so it is somewhat difficult to assess his chances going into Ally Pally. Part of me thinks he might be vulnerable in a potential round two match with last year’s quarter-finalist Brendan Dolan, but then it is easy to forget just how dominant Anderson was in majors in 2018. Can he find that form again on the biggest stage? I’m not sure. He made it to the semi-finals last year, but he was pushed all the way by Jermaine Wattimena and Chris Dobey on the way, both of whom arguably should have beaten Anderson. I think the former two-time champ will have too much for Dolan, but serious danger is waiting in round three.

Nathan Aspinall (12) is on the verge of something seriously big. Last year’s semi-finalist has already picked up a major (along with a World Series victory in the US), and many consider it a foregone conclusion that ‘The Asp’ will be an entrant in the 2020 Premier League. Aspinall has been a revelation, and he’ll be backing himself to make it to the semi-finals for the second year running. Andy Boulton or Danny Baggish shouldn’t provide too many issues in round two, but round three? Oh boy, where to begin.

No offence to Zoran Lerchbacher, but I’m going to dismiss his chances here. Lerchbacher faces Jamie Hughes in round one, and the former BDO number three is one of the tournament’s real dark horses. If the draw had been a little kinder to ‘Yozza’, I’d be putting a pound on him making the quarters. He can score with the best of them and is capable of flurries that few can match. Hughes was the top Pro Tour qualifier for this tournament (after his first year on tour), and it is borderline unthinkable that he won’t be seeded for next year’s championships. He is a real player, don’t you doubt it.

As is Krzysztof Ratajski (22), no matter how many times John McDonald butchers his name. John, saying the names of the players is your only job, get it right man! Ratajski has been one of the tour’s most consistent performers for the last couple of years and is always capable of doing some real damage on the big stage. Ratajski/Hughes could be the match of round two, if you’re asking me, and then the winner of that against Aspinall could be the match of round three. That might well be the most intriguing mini-section of the entire draw.

So, a prediction? I think Michael Smith should have too much for everyone in the bottom half, but the top half could be anyone’s. I’ll go with Smith/Aspinall reprising their 2019 semi-final in this year’s quarter, with the ‘Bully Boy’ winning a 5-4 epic. For those paying attention, that means I’m going with last year’s final taking place in this year’s semi-final.

John Bills writes books about Eastern Europe, tomes covering history, travel, booze and the rest. These magical pieces of literary competency can be purchased at this link, so get yourself over there and do the right thing. Pay attention to the discounts.