Darts Betting Tips: Can GVV stop Nuke from back-to-back titles?

Highest checkout over 160.5 in Luke Littler vs Gian Van Veen @ 5/4

After 19 days full of drama, heartache and joy inside the iconic Ally Pally, it feels like we have the right final at the end of it all. Luke and Gian have been brilliant throughout the entire tournament and it seems only fitting that they go at it for the million pound prize and more importantly the World Championship trophy tonight. Two of the best young players darts has to offer will battle it out over the best of 13 sets to see who’ll be crowned the 2026 World Champion. At a combined age of just 41, it sets a record as the youngest World Championship final in history, surpassing the previous record of 44, set by Littler and Humphries in 2024.

These two have already competed against each-other in the World Youth Championship Final in 2023, Littler came out on top 6-4 in legs in that one. It’s been great to see how their careers have blossomed since then - Littler has had the quicker journey to success, reaching his third World final in as many appearances at the age of just 18. Van Veen has had more bumps along the road, including suffering from dartitis a few years ago which led to him having to recreate his throw. It’s been a more gradual rise up the rankings for Gian but he now finds himself up to third in the world, with the possibility of going to second if he’s victorious tonight.

Littler breezed past Ryan Searle last night, The Nuke lost the opening set but found his feet quickly and dominated the match after that, reeling off six sets on the spin to seal a 6-1 victory. Even at this late stage in the tournament, I think it’d be a fair assessment to say that Luke is still yet to truly be put to the test, Cross came the closest to doing so but still lost 4-2 in the end. Littler still has more gears he can go to if he’s pushed, it’ll be interesting to see what he produces when Gian inevitably does that.

Van Veen was certainly tested last night, playing his part in a memorable semi final against Gary Anderson. Anderson certainly brought his A-game, averaging just shy of 103 in defeat. Van Veen’s doubles were as deadly as ever, hitting 55% of his targets on the outer-ring, you feel he’ll need to be equally as good on them against Littler to stand a realistic chance of coming out on top. The crowd did start to get on Gian’s back as Anderson began to threaten a comeback, considering it was Gian’s first World semi final I thought he coped very maturely with the situation and managed to switch off to it, as he averaged 102.46 in the decisive final set.

The head-to-head between these two is a story in itself - they’re locked at four wins apiece, with their first two meetings coming on the Development Tour in 2023. Gian has won three of the last four meetings, but Littler has won the two major clashes at the World Grand Prix and UK Open this year. GVV will likely take encouragement from his record against Luke, despite lacking the same amount of experience in these huge matches.

One thing these two seem guaranteed to bring is a big checkout, so that’s the route I’m taking with this final. Gian and Luke are ranked first and third in the world respectively on doubles over the last twelve months, so you can rely on both to finish off clutch checkouts. Gian has already reeled in the big fish on three occasions this tournament, Littler has also chipped in with a 170 finish of his own against Ratajski.

This fixture has a special feel to it and over this lengthy format it’s worthy of a few big moments and a 161+ finish from either, possibly both, feels like a high possibility and where the value lies at 5/4 in what should be a memorable World final between two of the sport’s biggest young stars.