Luke Littler overlooked by Wayne Mardle after giving Michael van Gerwen £200,000 problem
Sky Sports Darts pundit Wayne Mardle left Luke Littler out of his World Matchplay predictions ahead of the tournament's start in Blackpool.
Wayne Mardle has snubbed Luke Littler to win next week's darts World Matchplay. The 17-year-old 'Nuke' will meet Michael van Gerwen on Monday (July 15) in the standout clash of the first round.
Littler has been riding the crest of a wave and is one of the favourites to go all the way in Blackpool. He's won two World Series of Darts titles and the Premier League already this season.
However, Sky Sports Darts pundit Mardle doesn't see Littler – or Van Gerwen – making the final. That is especially bad news for the Dutchman, who is defending £200,000 of prize money from his victory two years ago.
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Despite the prestige of both men, Mardle opted for neither of the pair to make it all the way to the final. Asked on X by one darts fan: "Hi Wayne who do u think wins the matchplay?" Hawaii 501 responded: "FINAL. Humphries v Smith. Humphries to WIN! What’s your guess?"
Smith and Humphries know their route to the final after the draw was made last week. Smith, who is on the same side of the draw as Littler and Van Gerwen, will take on Gary Anderson before a potential second round clash against Chris Dobie or Ritchie Edhouse.
Humphries, on the other hand, faces old rival Ricardo Pietreczko, who he beat on his run to World Championship final victory in January. If he comes through that he'll set up a second round meeting with Stephen Bunting or Ryan Joyce.
Nathan Aspinall is the defending champion and will take on newcomer Luke Woodhouse in the opening game. Aspinall is looking to join the likes of Phil Taylor, van Gerwen and Rod Harrington in winning back-to-back World Matchplay crowns.
Littler will be hoping to prove Mardle wrong after a stellar season so far. The teenager has won the Bahrain Darts Masters, the Polish Darts Masters, the Austrian Darts Open, Belgian Darts Open and the Premier League, among other accolades.
However, while Littler he has experienced some of the highs the sport has to offer, he has also been faced with some embarrasing lows. Earlier this month, the darts sensation took on then-world no.116 Robert Grundy in the first round of Players Championship 13.
But despite going into the game as a heavy favourite to win, Littler could only manage an average of 79. His 46-year-old opponent threw a marginally better 88.5 average as he won 6-5 in a shock victory.