“Luke Littler is very good. He will retain his world championship title,” predicts Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle, while Mark Webster feels the teenager is “meeting expectations”.
Littler is aiming to successfully defend his title for the first time in 10 years.
The Warrington slinger became the youngest world champion by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the 2025 final and his star has only risen since.
The 18-year-old has since won five major titles, including last weekend’s Players Championship, overtaking Luke Humphries to sit at the top of the rankings.
He is the favorite to win a second successive title at Alexandra Palace and is scheduled to start against Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas on December 11th.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Luke Littler talks about his opening draw with Darius Labanauskas at the World Championships
Only Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson have previously defended their titles at Ally Pally, with the Scot winning in 2015 and 2016.
“Littler wasn’t hurt,” Mardle told Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge. “He’s the most mentally free darts player in the world. There’s no negativity at all. There’s no ‘I tried to win the world championship before and it didn’t work out’ thing. He approaches everything with a fresh mind and a clear mind, knowing he can do anything he wants.”
“He does what he wants. I’m not saying he’s always right. He leaves double 15 on purpose and splits it up. That’s not good board management and it’s terrible. But he’s so good that he gets away with it.
“When you’re very good, people will always judge, ‘Oh, but he’s very good.’ Phil Taylor would leave 162, 163, 169 to win the leg, win the set, win the world championship.”
“Michael van Gerwen would do a 180 to get double one – ‘Yeah, but he’s so good he can do whatever he wants!'”
Former Lakeside Champion Mark Webster said: “Luke Littler himself said it, you have to take days off to not win that tournament, but at the moment he doesn’t have many days off. He’s full of confidence. Winning the tournament checks it off. The World Championship is another tournament for him to win.”
“There’s all the glamor around the £1 million prize money, but he just wants to win another tournament.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Luke Humphries says his biggest rival Littler is on his level
Mardle added: “I think it’s going to be a Luke vs. Luke final. I already predicted it. I think he (Littler) will keep it. I think Luke and Luke will be evenly matched. Littler has already shown what he can do in the World Grand Prix Final when he’s put under pressure from set pieces. He won every big leg!”
One of the notable matches in the first round will see three-time women’s world champion Beau Greaves take on World Cup winner Darryl Gurney.
Greaves, who won the women’s series in 2025 with an 86-game winning streak and 13 consecutive wins, will be a test for the Northern Irishman following her strong performances against Van Gerwen and Anderson in the recent grand slams of darts.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Abigail Davies and Chris Murphy discuss whether Beau Greaves should be included in Premier League talks on Love The Darts
Former world champion Michael Smith will take on Lisa Ashton, while ‘Queen of the Palace’ Fallon Sherlock will take on Dave Chisnall.
Two-time world champion Peter Wright will be paired with Noah-Lynn van Leuven, while Josh Locke will play Gemma Hayter.
“Gurney vs. Beau vs. Chizzy vs. Fallon, they could go either way. They really could,” Mardle acknowledged.
“Bo Greaves is world class, there’s no doubt about that. It could have been a worse draw for Bo and Darryl, but they got a draw. Chizzy hasn’t played well, but I think Fallon will see that as an opportunity. She’s playing decently.”
“I don’t know if the other women will take a chance, but they are not in the class of my opponents.”
This year’s tournament will feature 128 players, with all seeded players playing twice before Christmas.
Sky Sports will once again be home to the Premier League, World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and World Darts Championship. Stream darts and other top sports now
