This week we’re turning our attention to the world of darts, and it’s the World Grand Prix of Darts over in Leicester we’re looking at, complete with its unique double-in, double-out format.
The ‘two Lukes’ are the two favourites as per usual, but Luke Littler hasn’t been enjoying the crowds of late, and Luke Humphries has made the last three finals here, so he’s the one carrying our money this week.
Best Bet: Luke Humphries to Reach the Final
Some may feel that backing Luke Littler at 1.85 to go all the way is a great bet given what he’s achieved not just this year, but for the last two or three years, not to mention the fact that he’s the defending champion here in Leicester, so he has been here and done it already.
But an odds-on shot won’t be for all, given the unique ‘double in, double out’ format (see below). If you’re slow to get to that first double, you have it all to do and can start to doubt yourself. As also explained below, there are question marks over Littler’s mindset after being booed by fans, so we’ll have to see what sort of mood he’s in this week.
Instead, we prefer the 3.25 that the other Luke- Humphries- makes the final. He’s made all of the last three here in Leicester, so he clearly likes the format.
This has been a pretty good, rather than spectacular, season for Humphries, with wins at the Belgian Open and US Masters, plus at a couple of Players Championship events. There was also a runner-up spot in the Premier League when losing to Littler, plus a few other second-places in big events.
Yet another final, win or lose, would do us just fine.
Favourites Beyond Two Lukes
All the favourites come from the first type of qualifier: those in the Top 16 of the Order of Merit, which is hardly surprising, since those are the elite players on the richest and most prestigious of darts’ official tours.
That includes Number 2 on the PDC Order of Merit, Luke Humphries, available at 6.5, who won it in 2023. He then lost as a big favourite in 2024 to Mike de Decker and then again in the final last year against Littler, though that does mean that he’s made it to the final in each of the last three editions.
Gerwyn Price, one of the game’s big entertainers, won it in 2020 and comes here ranked 4th but is the third favourite at 12.0.
Gian van Veen of the Netherlands has had an excellent season and is around the 18.0 mark, while veterans James Wade and Gary Anderson are 20.0 and 23.0 respectively.
Six-time winner Michael van Gerwen has by far the strongest record of anyone taking part in this tournament, but at 37, his best days seem behind him, and odds of 26.0 reflect his chances of making it seven wins here.
Have we forgotten someone? Oh, yeah. That ‘man’ Luke Littler- still only 19- has won just about every event going this season, in addition to winning the last two editions of the Grand Prix and the World Championship back in January, so it’s hardly surprising that he’s a best price of just 1.85.
Can Anyone Stop Luke Littler?
Teenage prodigy Littler was on course for a historic clean sweep after winning six majors already this season but lost to Jonny Clayton in the Last Eight at the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam last week.
While there’s no disgrace in losing to a player of Clayton’s ability, whoever you are, it wasn’t so much the defeat, even by 10-4, that drew attention, but rather what happened off the oche.
Littler was booed throughout his performance and has since suggested he won’t travel to places like Germany and the Netherlands in future if he keeps getting that sort of reception.
Some believe Littler has simply become too good and that darts fans are tired of him constantly winning, while others point to some bad blood between Littler and Dutch favourite van Veen, after an ill-tempered Premier League clash a few months ago, as an explanation for the reception he got in Amsterdam.
Others feel there’s a simpler explanation: Littler is overly brash and aggressive for someone his age, and despite his absurd success in such a short time, some humility and more respect for other players wouldn’t go amiss.
But here’s what we do know: he’s the best player by some distance, and if the crowd is on his side, or at least he ignores it if it isn’t, he’ll be very hard to stop.
First up, he’s up against yet another Luke: he’s 1.22 favourite to beat Luke Woodhouse, with a second-round match against either Nathan Aspinall or Kevin Doets after that.
