World Darts Betting Tips Day 1: Defending Champion Luke Littler to drop set but advance

• Luke Littler favourite to retain his title at 10/111.91

• Michael Smith to have a relatively comfortable evening

• Value in backing over three sets in Littler's game

The world number one and winner of six major titles in 2025 returns to Alexandra Palace with an enviable record in this event and it's unsurprising given his recent dominance that he is 10/111.91 to retain his title on January 3rd. 

Bully Boy to get the better of The Lancashire Rose

To say it has been a turbulent year for Michael Smith would be quite the understatement. We've known for some time that the St Helens man has been plagued with injuries but with them seemingly worsening, his career and future at the top of the game have been up in the air.

Following a prolonged, troubling period away from the TV stages that has seen him slip down the rankings, Bully Boy made a welcome and promising return at the Grand Slam in November where he reached the quarter-finals, with a few encouraging signs that he could still treat us to some magical moments.

First up, a player he knows very well indeed. He and Lisa Ashton have met five times previously, with the 2023 World Champion coming out on top in each of the last four meetings, he has only once failed to average in excess of a ton when facing the reigning Women's World Matchplay winner.

Undoubtedly one of the finest female players to grace the oche, what the four time World Champion continues to achieve really is remarkable. Having been through a lot health wise over the last two years, being forced to take time away from the game to undergo surgery also put her future in doubt but since returning, The Lancashire Rose has produced some of the best darts we've seen from her in years! Her longevity should be celebrated and applauded but her record in previous PDC events can't go without mentioning.

She is still searching for her first win on the Ally Pally stage and has only once averaged above 90 in this flagship event. If she can settle and if Bully Boy is a little uncomfortable up on stage, she may well take a set but on the whole, I think it'll be a relatively routine victory for the former Shanghai Darts Master.

At 11/43.75 I'm backing Bully Boy to Win the Match and Throw 5+ 180s. 

Littler to advance

There aren't really any superlatives left to describe what Luke Littler has done for the game of darts and in 2025, he has continued to reach new heights and break additional records.

His ability as a frontrunner and when trailing are quite astonishing and it's getting more and more difficult to prevent him from picking up trophies. More often than not now, when he does lose, it's because his level has dipped and he's not been at his blistering best as opposed to other players matching his standard over a prolonged period.

However, in Darius Labanauskas he is facing an opponent who I can't imagine being overawed by the occasion, having previously enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals of this tournament and already produced a nine darter on the Ally Pally stage.

The winner of three Challenge Tour titles this year has put in some very decent displays on the Nordic and Baltic Tour, I think Lucky D will certainly ask a few questions on opening night and make things competitive.

Whilst I think Littler will advance, I think there is terrific value in backing over 3.5 sets in this one at 7/24.50.

Given how often we see him leave it, I'd also be tempted to back Littler to reel in the big fish at 14/115.00.