We’re so close to the beginning of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship we can almost taste it.
The World Darts Championship is almost here, and while the opening games between non-seeded players are enough to whet any fan’s appetite, everyone is excited for the business-end of the tournament.
Indeed, this year the tournament looks very exciting. This is the World Championships that Luke Littler plays in as a seeded player, and The Nuke is eyeing the top prize.
However, as always, there are going to be a handful of players challenging Littler for the title.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Littler has been discussing which players could give him a run for his money, and he says there are only three players he sees as true challengers.
- READ MORE: Joe Cullen reveals why Michael van Gerwen is ‘not happy’ with Luke Littler and Luke Humphries now
Luke Littler names three challengers for the World Darts Championship
Littler shared who he believes the main contenders for the Sid Waddell Trophy are this year.
The teenager says that Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries are the three other players in contention alongside himself.
Anderson is averaging more than Littler this year heading into this tournament, while Humphries has a very tough run to the final.
“Obviously you look at the World Champs, Luke Humphries, but you’ve always got to keep an eye on Gary Anderson, he’s always there,” Littler said.
“But that’s it, just them two obviously, and I know Michael van Gerwen, he’s always there as well.
“I’ll be looking at them as well and I’ll be looking at my little section of the draw.”
Luke Littler’s record vs Anderson, Humphries and Van Gerwen
Littler knows just how talented all three of these players are.
Van Gerwen, Anderson and Humphries are all former winners of this tournament, and Littler has plenty of experience playing against these three.
Littler is right to be wary of Humphries. After all, Cool Hand beat him in the final this time last year, and he also beat him in the recent Players Championship Finals.
Michael van Gerwen may not be the force he once was, but Van Gerwen is determined to overcome Littler and Humphries and regain his spot as the world’s best player.
As for Gary Anderson, that raw talent just can’t be taught. Anderson is such a natural, and, if he focuses properly, he could add a third world-title to his CV.
Littler’s record against all three of these men makes for interesting reading.
| Luke Littler record vs Luke Humphries | Luke Littler record vs Michael van Gerwen | Luke Littler record vs Gary Anderson | |
| Wins | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| Losses | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Littler hasn’t got a losing record against any of these players, but there are signs that all three of these men could trouble the teenager.
Humphries has beat Littler in two major finals now, MVG knocked Littler out of the World Matchplay in Round One in the summer, while Gary Anderson was on top of Littler for large periods of their clash at the Grand Slam recently.
These four are the hottest players in darts heading into this tournament, but let’s not forget that this year we’ve had more surprise major winners than ever before, so don’t discount a shock run from an unfancied star.
Chris Mason says Raymond van Barneveld is the dark horse of this tournament, and there’ll be tons of players hoping to upset the odds at Alexandra Palace.