World Matchplay 2025 pundit predictions: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price to shine? | Darts News

slick30 seconds ago

0 0 7 minutes read

With the matchplay world 2025 just around the corner, we asked Sky Sports Darts experts who, they believe, are favorites, who will go on a surprise race and why this tournament is so special …

Mark Webster of Sky Sports Darts

What makes the match match so special?

The match match is massively special. The simple fact of trying to qualify for the event is massively difficult, so it’s rewarding if you get there – you have to be consistent for 12 months.

I know that when I came across, I qualified for the worlds and you obviously want to do the worlds, but I really wanted to make the match.

It is a brilliant tournament at a brilliant period of the year. The place is fantastic, it is also a decent format.

Each player who arrives there has found a little shape and a little consistency. Yes, there will be players who will come a little unequal, but in these 12 months, you deserve your place.

There is a real feeling of accomplishment in just qualifications, but if you can go deep, it’s a fantastic trophy to win.

Who will win the match?

I like the Luke Humphries draw. Obviously, the first round, first at 10, is a fairly long format and it has a delicate opening lap [against Gian van Veen] But he has know-how.

I do not see him having too much trouble going to the quarterfinals and once it is the quarters, it was then that he plays in the hands of these players.

He was first at 16, then 17, then 18 years old and they will take blows.

I think, once again, Humphries is the man to beat, but it will be difficult because he is reigning champion.

He certainly had in him to win this title and he will be confident after also winning the Premier League.

Who will go to a surprise race?

I’m going to say Josh Rock but is it a massive surprise given the way he played during the World Cup?

He did not place the field in terms of match match in the past and he has a revenge match with Ross Smith, which he has already played there.

I just think he is a little more equipped now – he looked fluid and fired on the World Cup.

He must bring this mentality “representing your country” to the match.

I think it’s time for him to start. He had a brilliant first year, and he left his career regularly, but it’s time to have this explosive race now. I wouldn’t be gobsmacked if he had a decent race.

Emma Paton of Sky Sports Darts

What makes the match match so special?

I think if I had to describe the world matchplay in a word, it would be magic!

It is a tournament that players most often emphasize as their favorite event of the year.

One thing is the place – the winter gardens are emblematic. It’s noise, heat, balconies, lights – pure theater!

And of course, you have the story – Phil Taylor making a lot of house. We have had such memorable moments, whether nine players or crazy returns, so I hope there is more where it comes from this year!

And how can I not mention the fans – a good crowd of darts that absolutely like a party!

Who will win the match?

The two Lukes (Humphries and Littler) will be the favorites, being the number one and two in the world, but I go for Gerwyn Price, who is the player of form at the moment. A Euro Tour title a few days ago, three victories on the Pro Tour in 2025 plus a World Series victory – it may be time for him to picked up another adult.

He is a former finalist and I support him to break the code this year.

Who will go to a surprise race?

Is a Damon Heta race a surprise?! Probably not, but I support the world No. 7 to chain winning performances on a major scene. He played superb things, but maybe now is at his time to have a deep race during a big television tournament.

Sky Sports Darts’ Rod Studd

What makes the match match so special?

Ask anyone connected to professional darts, fans to commentators, to name their favorite tournament and the overwhelming majority will answer “The World Match”.

A tournament imbued with tradition and history played in the most ornate and emblematic place with the most strong elite level of the global darts. Only the big ones of the game win at the winter gardens.

Who will win the match?

The number of criticisms and analysts of data tell me that Luke Little is the man to support, but I am always reluctant to come back against the proven series winner – Luke Humphries

And I like the way the former finalist Gerwyn Price has played. I have tilted half of the land when the first dart is launched!

Who will go to a surprise race?

Lightly contradicting my previous answer here, but I like Gian Van Veen.

Yes, he plays the reigning champion in the first round, but it is better to meet Humphries on the best of 19 than later in the event above a longer format and if the young Dutchman succeeds, the draw would be quite reasonable for the world champion of youth. It is a prodigious talent.

Sky Sports Darts Stuart Pyke

What makes the match match so special?

For me, the match match evokes so many memories that go back to 2003 – it was my very first tournament for Sky Sports.

I was supposed to observe Sid Waddell, Dave Lanning and John Gwynne, but when I arrived at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool, I was welcomed by the Grand Sid telling me that we were going to make the first match of the day together which was John Lowe against Keith Deller!

It was a star, a big friend and a guidance light until we lost it in 2012

This is why it remains my favorite to date. A special place and a special atmosphere

By the way, Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports reached the final in 2003. For 20 legs, he went Dart for Dart with Phil Taylor before losing 18-12.

Who will win the match?

Luke Littler is still losing the Premier League final. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price is in the same half and in large touch.

Who will go to a surprise race?

Gary Anderson is due to a big race in a major on television and it could be this one!

Laura Turner of Sky Sports Darts

What makes the match match so special?

The PDC world matchplay combines the atmosphere, tradition and elite level darts in a unique leg -based format, making it a jewel of the crown in the PDC calendar.

The place is emblematic and the match match has provided so many memorable moments, from new epic feedback finishes, it provided some of the most exciting moments in the history of darts.

Who will win the match?

It is difficult not to look at the two lukes by picking up a title, but the recent results have shown that they are not invincible and that the field is so strong. The tastes of Dobey, Price, Anderson and others could still cause significant upheavals.

Who will go to a surprise race?

With such a strong field, I don’t think no race is a complete surprise. Anderson and Price have found a good form recently, but I also think that the winner of the meeting Josh Rock and Ross Smith could take place in depth.

Polly James de Sky Sports Darts

What makes the match match so special?

This is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar and I love the way the Blackpool set is behind the tournament.

The city becomes crazy darts and the summer buzz by the sea is so fun. It goes without saying that the winter gardens are emblematic and the fans are pure and hard.

Who will win the match?

I will have to say that the 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall or the GERWYN in shape.

Who will go to a surprise race?

I know it would not be a huge surprise, but I hope that Damon Heta will go far and end in Blackpool.

Glen Durrant of Sky Sports Darts

What makes the match match so special?

Emblematic winter gardens. Blackpool in summer and the legacy of Phil Taylor.

Who will win the match?

I’ll say Luke Little. He lost against Michael Van Gerwen in his beginnings on the world of Matchplay last year, but he has been a different animal since.

Who will go to a surprise race?