December 14th 2024.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Luke Humphries will step onto the stage to defend his world title at the World Darts Championship. As the reigning champion and world number one, he carries the weight of expectations on his shoulders. However, the bookmakers have a different opinion, as they have placed Luke Littler as the favorite to win the trophy.
It was only a year ago when Humphries defeated Littler in a thrilling final, bringing an end to the young prodigy's impressive debut at the sport's biggest event. Since then, the two have been locked in a battle for the title of the best player in the world. Littler wasted no time in proving himself by winning his first event in Bahrain and then beating Humphries in the final of the Premier League.
But Humphries was not far behind, adding more trophies to his collection by winning the World Matchplay and World Cup. However, Littler reclaimed his supremacy by winning the Grand Slam in November, while Humphries struggled and was eliminated in the group stages. But Cool Hand made a stunning comeback by defeating Littler in the Players Championship Finals. It's safe to say that these two have had an incredible year, and many would argue that they are the two best players in the world at the moment.
Despite Littler being the favorite according to the bookies, not everyone agrees. When asked who the best player in the world is, Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, confidently declared it to be Luke Humphries. He believes that Littler's hype often overshadows Humphries' skills, and it's not fair to discount the reigning champion.
But van Gerwen's good friend Vincent van der Voort has a different perspective. He believes that Littler's peak might be higher, but Humphries is the more consistent player. And this view is shared by many, including world number seven Jonny Clayton, who believes that Humphries is the best player in the world by a mile.
Even the legendary Raymond van Barneveld, who will face Humphries in the tournament, acknowledges his opponent's skills and dominance. He knows that he will be facing the toughest challenge in the game if they both make it to the next round. And despite all the praise, it's worth noting that it's actually Humphries who has statistically been playing the best darts in the world. He believes that he and Littler are neck and neck, and anyone can emerge victorious at the World Championship.
But for Humphries, being the favorite doesn't guarantee a win. He knows that anything can happen in the world championship, and the bookies' opinions are based on statistics and probabilities. Humphries and Littler are both expected to perform well, alongside players like Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen, but the ultimate winner will be the one who plays the best and most consistent darts.
And when it comes to consistency, Humphries has proven himself time and time again. With six major tournament wins and two finals since October 2023, he has shown no signs of being weighed down by the pressure of being a world champion. His fellow players, like James Wade, believe that he is one of the best world champions the sport has ever seen, and his achievements should be celebrated.
There's no denying that Littler is a brilliant player, but it's Humphries who has earned the tag of the favorite. As they both return to Alexandra Palace, it will be a friendly rivalry between two of the best players in the world. And with the talent and determination they both possess, it's anyone's game.
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