Gary Anderson PDC World Darts Odds: The Flying Scotsman is 14/1 to win his third world title

We are just three days away from the PDC World Darts Championship returning to Alexandra Palace for what is one of the sporting staples of the winter calendar.

Darts fans are going to be treated in the run-up to Christmas and will have an excellent way to see in the New Year, particularly if this year's final can live up to the billing of last year's thriller between champion Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen.

As the tournament's opening day nears, we preview some of the high-profile players set to descend on London this week.

Two-time champion Gary Anderson returns to Ally Pally in the hopes of claiming his third world crown, and he is one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.

A popular figure at Ally Pally, Anderson was the owner of the venue for two years as he stormed to consecutive world titles in 2015 and 2016. The Flying Scotsman lived up to the name shared by the famous steam train as he powered through all who challenged him in both years.

In claiming his first taste of world glory, the Scot defeated Phil 'The Power' Taylor 7-6 in a gripping final, while also beating Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright on his way to that epic showdown.

The 52-year-old has been playing well in 2023 and he will look to end his five-year major doubt when he returns to Alexandra Palace this December in the hopes of matching Van Gerwen's three world titles. Anderson's record in this tournament will be pleasant reading, something which Rod Studd highlights in his profile of the player.

He tells Betfred: "Two-time world champion Gary Anderson has been one of the star performers on the PDC tour in 2023. His season average of 98.6 is the highest of all the players taking part in this year's tournament.

"His recent run to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton increased the hopes of another great run at Ally Pally in the big one itself.

"He has an outstanding record there. Nine times a quarter-finalist, seven times a semi-finalist, five times a finalist and twice the champion - back-to-back in 2015 and 2016."