It’s predictions time ahead of the World Darts Championship at Ally Pally. Who will our experts pick to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2025?
The panel includes host Emma Paton plus Mark Webster, Michael Bridge, Polly James, Laura Turner, Rod Studd and Dan Dawson, who all put their knowledge to the test.
Mark Webster’s picks
Webster’s winner: My winner is Luke Littler. I just think he will be hurt from what happened last year and had big opportunities in that final. I think he comes through a semi-final against Luke Humphries and goes on to lift his maiden World Championship.
Webster’s dark horse: Chris Dobey. He has got the scars from last year when he lost to Rob Cross. He was a quarter-finalist the year before, so he is looking to go a bit further this year. His form hasn’t been brilliant at the back end of the year on the big stage but with three tournament wins, he will be a threat.
Emma Paton’s picks
Paton’s winner: Sorry Luke Humphries, but I am going for Luke Littler this time around. He has been sensational this year, winning 10 titles, and has come pretty in other events too. He had a fairy-tale story at Ally Pally last time and I think he is going to go one step further and lift the Sid Waddell trophy.
Paton’s dark horse: Chris Dobey has been brilliant on the floor this year with three Pro Tour titles. Things haven’t really come together on a big TV stage – why not at the biggest tournament of the lot?
Michael Bridge’s picks
Bridgey’s winner: I really can’t call it between the two Lukes. Both are outstanding players, in a league of their own, and a credit to the sport. At the moment, we expect them to meet in the semis and I think Littler will just get past the brilliant Humphries.
Bridgey’s dark horse: I was going to say Michael Smith but does that count as a surprise package? He is a former world champion but if you look at the odds, he is way out. But in the end, I didn’t go for Smith, I went for Chris Dobey. No pressure, Chris! However, remember the damage of last year being 4-0 up against Rob Cross and he lost 5-4 in the end. He will remember it and it won’t happen again. He has had an up-and-down year but I think he will be alright at Alexandra Palace.
Dan Dawson’s picks
Dawson’s winner: Luke Humphries because he’s the world No 1, the defending champion, the best player in the world. I think he’s the most likely one to win, although I do think he’s in the absolute quarter of death so that might make things difficult.
I do think that nobody is really talking about Michael Smith whose incredible track record at the World Championship – three finals in the last six years – should count for something. It wouldn’t surprise me if he plays himself into form but he would not be a surprise package because he is one of the top-ranked players in the world.
Dawson’s dark horse: I’m not saying they’re going to win the whole thing but why not pick big Wesley Plaisier because he’s dead good as well as being dead big.
Polly James’ picks
James’ winner: I think it’s going to be Luke…Humphries. I think MVG (Michael van Gerwen) is going to be runner-up. The two Lukes will meet in the semi-finals and I think Humphries will just beat him but it’s hard for me to say because I love Littler.
I think Humphries is going to find something, again!
James’ dark horse: Dutchman Wessel Nijman because I saw him at the Grand Slam of Darts and I was honestly so, so impressed. Actually, somebody came up to me in the crowd afterwards – it might have been a manager of his – and they said that Wessel has got all the same characteristics that remind them of Luke Humphries. The same skill, the same finesse, but also carries himself like a champion.
Laura Turner’s picks
Turner’s winner: It feels like one of the most open Worlds, especially considering the various major winners this year.
Luke Humphries is my pick for the title, but I could see deep runs by Gary Anderson and Josh Rock too.
Turner’s dark horse: Interested to see how Wessel Nijman gets on and I can see Wesley Plaisier making an impact this year.
Rod Studd’s picks
Studd’s winner: I’m going for Luke Humphries to win in the final against Gary Anderson.
Studd’s dark horses: Wessel Nijman, Josh Rock and Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Digital Sports Journalist Raz Mirza picks
Mirza’s winner: Do our so-called ‘experts’ ever learn? Not one of them picked Luke Littler to win the Grand Slam after the teenager lost to a former tiler, roofer, electrician and butcher in major events before coming good in Wolverhampton.
I expect the fans’ favourite for the title to claim the first of what will be many, many Worlds by beating Gary Anderson in a repeat of their Grand Slam classic last month.
Mirza’s dark horse: Cameron Menzies made it through to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam and he could go far at Ally Pally. I also think if former Lakeside finalist Thibault Tricole gets a shot at Luke Humphries, then the defending champion could find himself in a bit of a pickle.
Watch the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports
Live darts returns to Sky Sports at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championshipbeginning on December 15, as Luke Humphries defends his title with Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Michael Smith all in action from Alexandra Palace – and you can enjoy the very best here.
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