Joe Cullen aiming to pull off huge upset against Michael van Gerwen

Joe Cullen has warned Michael van Gerwen to expect a tough battle in their first-round meeting at the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

The 25-year-old is aiming to progress to the second round of the showpiece event for the first time at the fifth attempt when he takes on the reigning champion this evening.

"There is pressure from myself but no one expects me to win," the Daily Mail quotes Cullen as saying. "But if I play well I've got a great chance. I'm definitely going to get chances, taking them is a different thing."

Van Gerwen defeated Peter Wright in last year's final to claim the world crown.