World Darts Championship 2026: Pundits determine simply who can cease Luke Littler in his tracks at Alexandra Palace

Forward of the PDC World Darts Championship 2026, we requested the Sky Sports activities Darts pundits who they consider can cease Luke Littler from going back-to-back at Alexandra Palace…

Emma Paton’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

I am unsure anybody can! The defending champion has appeared unstoppable at occasions this yr and it is exhausting to see previous him going back-to-back.

Gerwyn Value is the one actual hazard in his quarter – he is clearly acquired the large stage presence and has proven some good ranges this yr – however can he do it over a protracted sufficient interval? I am not so positive.

Luke Humphries is the large favorite within the backside half however I just like the look of Gian van Veen this yr, who, having picked up his first main title on the European Championship, might be desirous to show a degree on the most important stage.

Josh Rock can also be in that backside half and having made a behavior of constructing the enterprise finish of a number of majors this yr I am excited to see what he can produce on the Palace.

Trying elsewhere, I might like to see Beau Greaves have a run! The three-time Girls’s World Champion has a troublesome first spherical attract Daryl Gurney however she’s been so spectacular this yr in incomes herself a tour card for subsequent season and I believe she’ll be fearless on her Ally Pally return.

And I can not assist however assume there’s actual alternative within the second quarter of the draw. Stephen Bunting is the highest seed in that part however the Bullet is not within the kind he was firstly of 2025. I ponder who can seize that chance – I am Ross Smith and Ryan Searle to possibly spoil the get together!

Mark Webster’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

Luke Littler stated it himself. For him to not win that event he has to have an off-day and he is not having lots of them on the minute. He is brimming with confidence. He is ticking packing containers by successful tournaments. The world championship is simply one other event for him to win.

There’s all of the glamour across the million pound prize however he simply desires to win one other event.

Wayne Mardle’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

I believe will probably be a Luke-Luke closing. I’ve already predicted it. I believe he [Littler] will retain it. I believe Luke and Luke are head and shoulders. Littler underneath strain in set play has already proven what he can do within the World Grand Prix Closing – each large leg, he received!

John Half’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

Josh Rock as a result of he has the sport and units will assist him to maintain digging at Littler in a possible closing. I do nonetheless assume Luke wins.

Ross Smith has a manageable draw and eager mindset coming into this as properly I really feel.

Dan Dawson’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

He will be stopped, after all he can – his first spherical opponent Darius Labanauskas is a former quarter-finalist, and has hit a nine-darter on that stage earlier than. Nevertheless, the defending champion is lucky to have lots of the seeds in his part of the draw be out of shape proper now – Cross, Heta and Cullen have all struggled in latest occasions.

The large risk in his quarter comes from Gerwyn Value, however that might not be till the quarter-final itself. Not solely is it no assure that Value can get there, however ‘The Iceman’ has thrown away sturdy positions in large televised video games with Littler repeatedly this yr… might he lastly get it proper on the largest occasion there may be? By that stage although, the format will increase to better of 9 units, and that additional favours ‘The Nuke’. If you’ll beat him, you may must get him early, and in the event you do not, you may not beat him in any respect.

I personally assume Willie O’Connor might trigger issues for Michael van Gerwen and discover himself making an affect at Ally Pally. Debutant Dom Taylor might equally take some large scalps. However the shock bundle I’ve gone for is Jermaine Wattimena. The Dutchman has received his first PDC titles this yr, just lately made an enormous TV semi-final in Minehead, and is taking part in in an open-looking part of the draw.

At world quantity 19, you can argue it is not a lot of a shock choose – however he might be ranked an terrible lot increased than that by January 4.

Laura Turner’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

Littler goes to be powerful to cease – I believe solely Gezzy Value within the quarter-finals or Luke Humphries within the closing can cease him this yr.

I’m wanting ahead to see how Charlie Manby will get on. He’s a really thrilling younger prospect, and naturally Beau Greaves!

Rod Studd’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

I’m going with Gian van Veen – He has by no means received a match at Ally Pally however one might convey a number of for the explosive younger Dutchman.

Dirk van Duijvenbode is my shock bundle too.

Stuart Pyke’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

Reply one… no one! I simply can’t see previous Littler going back-to-back on the Ally Pally and pocketing that eye-watering cheque for £1m.

Nevertheless there might be hurdles to leap and a doable big quarter-final with Gerwyn Value (if the seeding goes to plan) might be an enormous take a look at for {the teenager} and let’s not neglect he’s nonetheless solely 18 for goodness sake!

He might be underneath strain for positive, however he’s ice chilly on that stage and he makes positive he has enjoyable too. Apologies to the remainder… Littler all the way in which!

Gary Anderson – could also be unusual tipping a two-time world champion as a shock bundle. Many consider the Scot’s finest days are behind him however he comes alive on the Ally Pally stage.

He nonetheless has the starvation and need to succeed, particularly right here. There are potential ties in opposition to Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen down the road however he’s up for this… make no mistake!

Glen Durrant’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

I believe it might be Gerwyn Value who stops him within the quarter-finals. I believe Martin Schindler might be a shock bundle for the event too.

Polly James’ predictions

Who can cease Littler?

That’s the burning query! His first job at Ally Pally will see him tackle Darius Labanauskas, a Lithuanian who’s ranked ninety fifth on the planet.

It could be a seismic shock if he was to cease The Nuke at this stage and I simply do not see it occurring and thereafter when he more than likely will face both Mario Vandenbogaerde, a 52-year-old Belgian ranked 66 on the planet or qualifier David Davies, a 40-year-old Welshman.

If any of these gamers can cease Littler pre-Christmas early in his tracks, they’ll go down in Darting folklore I am positive.

Regardless that Humphries declared battle on Littler and claimed the World title could be his, I consider his hardest opponent might be from a sure chip store proprietor, Gerwyn Value.

Gezzy, over latest months has fallen in need of an enormous TV closing second, however he seems extra dialled in than ever, and will they conflict in what could be the QF’s, the victor would doubtless be seen because the frontrunner afterward.

Raz Mirza’s predictions

Who can cease Littler?

I imply, Littler actually has to have a extremely, actually dangerous day on the workplace to even come near dropping on the Ally Pally stage, does not he!?

There are only a few names that would doubtlessly knock him out akin to Luke Humphries in one other Luke vs Luke closing, or younger Dutchman Gian van Veen, after which there’s Chris Dobey or Gerwyn Value in what could be a blockbuster quarter-final.

The shorter the format, the higher probability you could have of knocking out ‘The Nuke’ – however he is head and shoulders above anyone else on the planet proper now – and he is aware of it too!

I am protecting an in depth eye on Charlie Manby having spoken to him just lately. He is an actual expertise and heads into the event having received on the MODUS Tremendous Collection. An actual one to observe!

Meg Wellens’ predictions

Who can cease Littler?

I’m going to exit on a limb right here – I’m not backing Luke Littler to win all of it. I simply see a area of people that might be fired as much as try to cease him, amongst others, from having his means. And who’s chief amongst them? Gary Anderson.

Anderson takes on Adam Hunt and if he will get by way of that, will face both Connor Scutt or Simon Whitlock to return after Christmas.

Anderson was the final back-to-back champion 10 years in the past in 2016 and with Littler having that purpose in his sights, we all know that Anderson is motivated to indicate that the previous boys have nonetheless acquired it.

Underestimate the Flying Scotsman at your individual peril!

Then among the others to observe, I’m actually intrigued by how Cam Crabtree fares on this event. He has had a superb 2025 and after talking to him on the Grand Slam, it’s clear he’s a mature head on younger shoulders with an absolute heap of expertise.

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