Key Highlights
- Luke Littler is dominating the PDC rankings with record-breaking form.
- Gian van Veen poses a significant challenge to Littler despite his own excellent stats.
- Littler’s performance includes an astounding 73% leg win rate against top players.
- Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price are also in contention for the World Darts Championship title.
The Current State of PDC Darts: Littler’s Dominance
As the Paddy Power World Darts Championship looms, the darts world is abuzz with anticipation. According to the latest Form Guide figures, Luke Littler stands at the pinnacle of his sport, having won back-to-back televised ranking titles in November and secured the world number one position. This unprecedented success has made him a formidable contender for defending his World Darts Championship title.
The most recent Form Guide ratings clearly indicate that Littler’s dominance is not just a fleeting moment but a sustained performance at the highest level.
His 73% leg win rate against ProTour opponents, an almost 10% advantage over any other player, speaks volumes about his current form. Additionally, he boasts a remarkable 68% success rate in finishing legs within 15 darts or fewer, significantly reducing the chances of his opponents breaking his throw.
Challenges for Littler’s Reign
While Luke Littler may be at the top of his game, Gian van Veen presents a notable challenge. The 23-year-old Dutch player has won three out of their five meetings this year and currently ranks third in terms of the OChE (Ordinal Checkout Efficiency) metric. Van Veen’s ability to defeat the world champion indicates that he is one of the few players capable of breaking Littler’s impressive streak.
Van Veen also holds a respectable 100 average over his last 200 legs, placing him among the elite in terms of overall performance.
His strategy seems particularly effective against Luke Humphries, with whom he has won all four recent meetings. However, even Van Veen’s stellar form could not prevent a first-round defeat to Littler at the World Grand Prix.
Other Notable Performances
Nathan Aspinall, despite facing significant challenges in the world rankings, has managed to secure a spot in the top 16 of both. His strong showing at the Player Championship Finals, where he reached the final but lost to Littler, has bolstered his position and improved his OChE rating to sixth best. Aspinall’s ability to average 97 following his run is noteworthy, even though he still lags behind Littler by about seven points.
Gerwyn Price, a two-time World Champion, also remains a significant player in the PDC rankings.
With four televised ranking quarter-finals from his last five events and currently standing as the third-ranked player in OChE ratings, Price is well-positioned to challenge for another world title. His consistent performance in major tournaments further solidifies his status as one of the top players.
Conclusion
The Road Ahead
The upcoming Paddy Power World Darts Championship will be a crucial test for all involved. While Luke Littler’s dominance is evident, the challenges from Gian van Veen and others indicate that this championship could be more competitive than ever before. As the final approaches, fans and pundits alike are eagerly watching to see how each player performs under pressure.
