Once again, Luke “The Nuke” Littler is in the World Darts Championship final, but this year he will be hoping to go one better. However, Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, stands in his way – and he appears to be back to his best. Keep reading to learn more about this nail-biting final and check the fixtures on Tonybet!
Either way, we’re in for an entertaining spectacle at Alexandra Palace on Friday evening. We’re certainly expecting fireworks – and perhaps one of these players can squeeze in a third nine-darter?
The Championship to date
Alexandra Palace has once again played host to the best darts tournament in the world. Surprises, new faces and multiple nine-darters – we’ve arguably witnessed the greatest edition in recent years – and we still have the most important match left to play.
However, before we dive into the final, it’s important to reflect on what has been a crazy, yet informative few weeks at the Palace.
First up, the surprises. Former champion of the world Rob Cross was knocked out earlier than anticipated, as showman Scott Williams beat him 3-1. However, he wasn’t the only shock exit in round two, as another former world champion left with his tail between his legs.
That man was Michael Smith, who was defeated 3-2 in a final-set decider by Kevin Doets, who went on to beat Krzysztof Ratajski before narrowly missing out on a quarter-final spot against Chris Dobey.
Much was made of Gary Anderson’s chances before a dart was thrown. He was third favourite to win his third title, but the Flying Scot fell at the first hurdle in a 3-0 whitewash against Jeffrey de Graaf. Anderson had been in tremendous form throughout 2024, but his swift exit showed how ruthless the short format can be on the biggest stage of them all.
On a more positive note, the Ally Pally crowd witnessed not one, but two nine-darters – with the first coming as early as the first round. Christian Kist rattled in the first to win himself a cool £60,000, though perhaps the adrenaline was pumping too much, as the Dutchman went on to lose against Madars Razma 3-1.
Another unlikely bet at the start of the tournament would have been to back Damon Heta to hit a nine-darter, but the Australian did just that against Luke Woodhouse in round three. However, he would also fall short, as the world number nine couldn’t get over the line despite his heroics at the oche.
Perhaps the biggest shock of them all was Luke Humphries’ 4-1 defeat to Peter Wright in round four. The current reigning champion and joint favourite to make it back-to-back titles could barely get going on the night, perhaps surprised that his opponent delivered his best performance of the year against him.
There were mind games before the match during the press conferences, but the pressure clearly got to Humphries as he struggled to reel in Snakebite all evening. In theory, this left the door wide open for last year’s finalist, Luke “The Nuke” Littler.
Now they step up to the oche for the final!
Luke Littler, England, World No. 4, Odds: 2/5 to win the trophy
The 17-year-old beat Ryan Meikle and Ian White before edging past world number 33 Ryan Joyce in a 4-3 thriller in round four. Expectations are high for the teenager to go one better this year, and although there were some nerves in the early rounds, his averages at times have been incredibly high.
Against Ryan Meikle, he was virtually unplayable, averaging over 140 in the final set. No one has come close to that throughout the tournament. The same happened against Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals, where the teenage sensation averaged 101, hitting 15 180s and winning 5-2.
He went a step further in the semi-final, averaging 105.48 against world number eight Stephen Bunting, hitting the big fish once and coming out on top 6-1. No one has averaged as high as Littler, and if he continues in this kind of form tonight, then the title could well be his.
Michael van Gerwen, Netherlands, World No. 3, Odds: 2/1 to win the trophy
Although many expected Luke Humphries to be in the final, we have a three-time world champion hungry to add a fourth to his name – and someone who will show no respect on the oche to the new kid on the block.
The Green Machine quietly went about his business in the opening rounds, with so much attention on the two Lukes on the other side of the draw. Michael van Gerwen breezed past James Hurrell, Brendan Dolan and Jeffrey de Graaf without too much fuss. The old champion was well and truly showing signs that he was back – and in the groove.
His quarter-final clash with Callan Rydz saw one of the best matches of the tournament to date. Van Gerwen won 5-3, averaging 103.10, hitting 14 180s and averaging 44.74% on his doubles.
Those numbers didn’t improve against Chris Dobey in the semi-finals, but they didn’t need to as he was brushed aside 6-1 – Van Gerwen did what he needed to without getting out of second gear all match.
And now the world number three meets the world number four in what looks to be an exhilarating final. Will the 17-year-old continue to dominate at Ally Pally, or will the Green Machine put him in his place? The odds at Tonybet suggest that it’s Littler’s to lose, but it’s never that simple when Van Gerwen is in a major final.
It looks like a fight to the death
What has been interesting to note is the respect given to Littler throughout the tournament. Opposing players have often fist-bumped the 17-year-old after high checkouts or impressive scoring, but Van Gerwen will certainly not be doing that in the final.
The Dutchman is here to win a fourth title – and from his interviews throughout the tournament, he’s clearly not in the mood to make friends with his competitors. This gives us a match that we haven’t seen before, and it will be interesting to see how Littler copes with Van Gerwen attempting to stamp his authority on the stage.
The Green Machine has beaten Littler in three of his last five head-to-heads, so perhaps those looking for a better price should twist in the final. For all odds on the final, head over to Tonybet for an array of selections in what looks to be a cracking final at the Palace.
