The 2025 World Darts Championship is very nearly upon us and it’s one of the most open fields in recent history.
A handful of the top seeds in the tournament such as Peter Wright, Michael Smith, and Joe Cullen are in a poor run of form while some of the younger players outside the top 32 are teasing a breakout tournament.
Add into that the return to form of Gary Anderson and the magnetic presence of Luke Littler and it could be anyone’s game heading into the Alexandra Palace event.
PDC legend Russ Bray will not be on the call at the World Darts Championship for the first time in 28 years, but he’s still offered his prediction on the winner of the tournament.
Russ Bray predicts Luke Humphries to go back-to-back
Bray knows a thing or two about talented throwers having watched the likes of Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow, and Michael van Gerwen up close for nearly three decades.
The Voice believes there’s only one winner for this year’s World Darts Championship despite the competitive field.
Speaking to Sky Sports Darts, Bray predicted: “Personally, I think Luke Humphries will go back to back. He’s the best player on the planet.
Bray not only predicted Humphries to be the first back-to-back World Darts Champion since Anderson in 2015 and 2016, but he also believes he’s top of the pile for a reason.
The legendary darts official said: “He’s consistently the best player on the planet. I reckon he could go back to back.”
Humphries is set to play either Thibault Tricole or Joe Comito in the second round of the Alexandra Palace event.
Luke Humphries’ predicted run to the final
The World No. 1 will have to work for it if he is to become a two-time World Champion as the draw has not been entirely kind to him.
Should Cool Hand come through against Tricole or Comito, he’ll likely set up a tie with former World Champion Raymond van Barneveld.
If he beats the Dutch legend, James Wade (or potentially Jermaine Wattimena) will be waiting in the fourth round.
Then, he’ll have a pick of either Mike De Decker, Damon Heta, Stephen Bunting, or Dirk van Duijvenbode in the quarterfinals.
If Humphries can fight his way through that pack, he’ll very much be a deserving two-time World Champion.