World Matchplay 2025 pundit predictions: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Value to shine?

With the World Matchplay 2025 simply across the nook, we requested the Sky Sports activities Darts pundits who they assume the favourites are, who will go on a shock run, and why this event is so particular…

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Mark Webster

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

The Matchplay is massively particular. Simply attempting to qualify for the occasion is massively robust so it’s rewarding if you happen to get there – you’ve got to be constant for 12 months.

I do know once I got here throughout, I certified for the Worlds and clearly you wish to make the Worlds, however I actually wished to make the Matchplay.

It’s a sensible event at a superb time of the yr. The venue is incredible, it’s a first rate format as effectively.

Each participant who will get there has discovered a little bit of kind and a little bit of consistency. Sure, there can be gamers coming in who’re a bit patchy however in these 12 months, you deserve your spot.

There’s a actual sense of feat in simply qualifying however if you happen to can go on a deep run there it’s a incredible trophy to win.

Who will win the Matchplay?

I like Luke Humphries’ draw. Clearly the primary spherical, first to 10, is a reasonably lengthy format and he has obtained a tough opening spherical [against Gian van Veen] however he has obtained the know-how.

I do not see him having an excessive amount of hassle attending to the quarter finals and as soon as it’s the quarters, that’s when it performs into these gamers’ palms.

It’s first to 16, then 17, then 18 and they will take some beating.

I believe, as soon as once more, Humphries is the person to beat however it will be robust as a result of he’s defending champion.

He has actually obtained it in him to win that title and he can be assured after successful the Premier League as effectively.

Who will go on a shock run?

I’m going to say Josh Rock however is {that a} large shock given the way in which he performed on the World Cup?

He has not set the bottom working when it comes to the Matchplay up to now and he has obtained a rematch with Ross Smith, who he has performed there earlier than.

I simply assume he is a little more geared up now – he seemed fluid and fired up on the World Cup.

He must carry that ‘representing your nation’ mentality to the Matchplay.

I believe it’s time for him to kick on. He had a superb first yr, and he has let his profession go steadily, however it’s time to have that explosive run now. I’d not be gobsmacked if he had a good run.

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Emma Paton

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

I believe if I used to be to explain the World Matchplay in a single phrase, it will be magical!

It is a event that gamers as a rule spotlight as their favorite occasion of the yr.

One factor is the venue – the Winter Gardens is iconic. It is the noise, the warmth, the balconies, the lights – pure theatre!

And naturally you have obtained the historical past – Phil Taylor making it very a lot his dwelling. We have had such memorable moments, whether or not it is nine-darters or loopy comebacks, so hopefully there’s extra the place that got here from this yr!

And the way can I not point out the followers – a correct darts crowd who completely love a celebration!

Who will win the Matchplay?

The 2 Lukes (Humphries and Littler) would be the favourites, being the world primary and two however I am going for Gerwyn Value, who’s the shape participant in the intervening time. A Euro Tour title just a few days in the past, three wins on the Professional Tour in 2025 plus a World Collection victory – perhaps it is about time he picked up one other main.

He is a former runner-up and I am backing him to crack the code this yr.

Who will go on a shock run?

Would a Damon Heta run be a shock?! In all probability not, however I am backing the world No 7 to string some successful performances collectively on a serious stage. He is been taking part in some nice stuff however perhaps now’s his time to have a deep run at an enormous TV event.

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Rod Studd

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

Ask anyone related to skilled darts, from gamers to followers to commentators, to call their favorite event and the overwhelming majority will reply ‘The World Matchplay’.

A event steeped in custom and historical past performed in probably the most ornate and iconic venue that includes the strongest elite-level subject in world darts. Solely the greats of the sport win on the Winter Gardens.

Who will win the Matchplay?

The quantity crunchers and information analysts inform me Luke Littler is the person to again however I am all the time reticent to again towards the confirmed serial winner – Luke Humphries

And I like the way in which former finalist Gerwyn Value has been taking part in. I am going to have tipped half the sphere by the point the primary dart is thrown!

Who will go on a shock run?

Barely contradicting my earlier reply right here however I like Gian Van Veen.

Sure, He performs the defending champ in spherical one, however higher to satisfy Humphries over the very best of 19 than later within the occasion over an extended format and if the younger Dutchman springs a shock there, the draw could be fairly cheap for the world youth champion. He is a prodigious expertise.

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Stuart Pyke

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

For me the Matchplay evokes so many reminiscences going all the way in which again to 2003 – it was my first ever event for Sky Sports activities.

I used to be imagined to be shadowing Sid Waddell, Dave Lanning and John Gwynne however once I arrived on the Imperial Resort in Blackpool I used to be met by the good Sid telling me we had been going to do the primary sport of the day collectively which was John Lowe towards Keith Deller!

He was a star, a fantastic buddy and a guiding mild till we sadly misplaced him in 2012

That’s the reason it stays my favorite to today. A particular place and a particular ambiance

By the way in which, Sky Sports activities’ very personal Wayne Mardle reached the ultimate in 2003. For 20 legs he went dart for dart with Phil Taylor earlier than shedding 18-12.

Who will win the Matchplay?

Luke Littler remains to be smarting from shedding the Premier League Last. In the meantime, Gerwyn Value is in the identical half and in nice contact.

Who will go on a shock run?

Gary Anderson is due an enormous run in a TV Main and this could possibly be the one!

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Laura Turner

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

The PDC World Matchplay combines ambiance, custom, and elite-level darts in a singular leg-based format, making it a crown jewel within the PDC calendar.

The venue is iconic and the Matchplay has supplied so many memorable moments, from nine-dart finishes to epic comebacks, it has delivered among the most fun moments in darts historical past.

Who will win the Matchplay?

It is exhausting not to have a look at the 2 Lukes selecting up any and each title, nevertheless current outcomes have proven they don’t seem to be invincible and the sphere is so sturdy. The likes of Dobey, Value, Anderson, and others may nonetheless trigger important upsets.

Who will go on a shock run?

With a subject this sturdy, I do not assume any run would come as a whole shock. Anderson and Value have discovered good type of late, however I additionally assume the winner of the Josh Rock and Ross Smith encounter may go on a deep run.

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Polly James

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

It is one of the crucial prestigious occasions on the calendar and I like how the entire of Blackpool will get behind the event.

Town turns darts loopy and the summer time buzz in by the seaside is a lot enjoyable. It goes with out saying, The Winter Gardens is iconic and the followers are die-hard.

Who will win the Matchplay?

I’m going to must say both 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall or the in-form Gerwyn Value.

Who will go on a shock run?

I do know it would not be that massive a shock however I hope Damon Heta goes far and will get to the enterprise finish in Blackpool.

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Glen Durrant

What makes the Matchplay so particular?

The enduring Winter Gardens. Blackpool in the summertime and the legacy of Phil Taylor.

Who will win the Matchplay?

I will say Luke Littler. He misplaced to Michael van Gerwen on his World Matchplay debut final yr, however he is been a special animal since.

Who will go on a shock run?

Be careful for Damon Heta. The Aussie secured his second rating title on the Gamers Championship 20 last final week. He is in good kind.

Watch the World Matchplay reside on Sky Sports activities from July 19-27 or stream with no contract.