LITTLER SPRINGS INTO ACTION AT MATCHPLAY

LUKE LITTLER will start the defence of his World Matchplay title against red-hot Niko Springer.

The Nuke, 19, will face a tricky contest with the German who won his first PDC event last year at the Hungarian Trophy, defeating Luke Humphries on the way.

Michael van Gerwen last won the Matchplay in 2022 and he will aim to get back on top, starting with a clash with Andrew Gilding who beat him in the UK Open final three years ago.

World No.2 Humphries will begin his bid to regain the trophy he won in 2024 against Cameron Menzies.

Gary Anderson returns to the big stage in Blackpool and takes on Ryan Joyce.

James Wade, who won in 2007 and lost to Littler in last year’s final, plays Jermaine Wattimena, with former finalists Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price pitted against Damon Heta and Martin Schindler respectively.

Josh Rock returns to the Empress Ballroom to take on ProTour leader Luke Woodhouse, while Danny Noppert has been handed an intriguing tie against 2019 champion Rob Cross.

The 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall locks horns with Joe Cullen in a repeat of their semi-final showdown three years ago.

Littler is aiming to be only the fourth player to retain the trophy and is chasing every big title in a year having already secured the World Championship, Masters UK Open, Premier League and World Cup.

He needs to retain the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix, and Players Championship Finals plus win his first European Championship later this year for a clean sweep.

Title sponsor Betfred have installed Littler as the even-money favourite to retain the Phil Taylor Trophy, with his World Cup partner Humphries priced at 9/2 to reclaim the crown.

Nijman is 10/1 to win his maiden televised ranking title at the Winter Gardens, with 2022 runner-up Price the fourth favourite at 12/1.

But Glen Durrant reckons Littler’s hopes could end at the Winter Gardens later this month.

Speaking at the Operation Bullseye Defence Darts event, he said: “I don’t think he wins the Matchplay. I’ve got nothing statistically to back that up. It’s just in the heart.

“I’m someone who says who wins ‘Luke Littler’. When Emma Paton even looks at me on Sky Sports on who’s going to win ‘Luke Littler’.

“I don’t think he wins the Matchplay. Is that implications for him. Does he go back on the floor and then go to Minehead for the Players Championship?

“I like the look of Luke Humphries at the moment. Just on the back of New York.

“From the day he played in the Premier League with a much slower throw. To see him where he is today, compared to then.

“I feared where he was going after that. When you start being process driven, when you start messing about with that throw, he’s all about rhythm. Since then his rhythm is great.”

Fully draw: Luke Littler v Niko Springer, Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen, Josh Rock v Luke Woodhouse, Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld, Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding, Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode, Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta, Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce, Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies, Ross Smith v Kevin Doets, Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler, Danny Noppert v Rob Cross, Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski, Wessel Nijman v Dave Chisnall, James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena, Ryan Searle v William O’Connor.

Words by Phil Lanning.

Images by Taylor Lanning.