World Darts Final Betting Tips: Back van Veen to shock Littler in his title defence

• Gian van Veen now 15/82.88 to become World Champion

• The Dutchman will fancy his chances

• Ally Pally epic expected

Twelve months ago, Luke Littler became the youngest ever World Champion, today he has the chance to do what only three other players have done and retain the title. The Nuke is 2/51.40 to do so but standing in his way is the formidable and ever improving Gian van Veen who started the tournament as third favourite and is now available at 15/82.88. 

Youngsters continue to show the game is in safe hands

Littler has been typically exceptional throughout this year's World Championship and by posting a 105 average in his dismantling of Ryan Searle in the semi-final, joined Adrian Lewis and Michael Smith on 15 ton+ averages on the Ally Pally stage, staggeringly the 18-year-old has managed to reach that tally in just his third campaign.

He has an overall tournament average of 103 and a half, is hitting 180s at a freakishly regular rate and tops worked like a dream for him throughout his game against one of the best double 20 hitters in the game, in Heavy Metal.

What he continues to do for this sport is phenomenal, the way he deals with every challenge, rectifies issues that plague him during matches and continues to show the same unwavering levels is remarkable.

He will face by far his toughest test in the final though and I expect him to be afforded zero breathing space to coast through legs or sets as he has been able to at times in this tournament.

Little over two years ago, Gian van Veen was Littler's opponent in the World Youth Final where the latter went on to take the title, they are both an incredible advert for the PDC youth system. They have now met eight times in total and the head-to-head is tied at 4-4.

While the reigning champion is understandably the favourite, given Gian's performances so far, his ability to start strongly and to withstand an absolute barrage of power scoring and clutch finishing from Gary Anderson last night, I'm backing the Dutchman to add his name to the Sid Waddell trophy at 15/82.88.

He has shown so many qualities throughout but the way he handled the crowd, magnitude of the occasion and his opponent in the semi-final, for me showed he is ready to pick up the trophy.

Heavy scoring to continue

Between them, the two finalists have hit 105 180s this tournament, their power scoring has been spectacular to watch, unrelenting as they've both suffocated opponents.

With neither likely to take their foot off the gas in this one, I think we'll see plenty of high quality and incredibly competitive sets. In addition to their scoring both players leave the bull and hit it a lot.

I like the look of 4+ Bull Finishes in the final at 7/24.50. 

I wouldn't rule out one of them producing the perfect leg either, we've previously seen two in World Championship finals and you can back a nine darter to be hit at 4/15.00. 

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