Gerwyn Price is embracing the role of the underdog as he prepares for the Betfred World Matchplay final on Sunday, confident that his best performance will be enough to outplay defending champion Luke Littler in Blackpool. The Welshman, who has been a dominant force throughout the tournament, believes that when he reaches his peak form, the opponent’s reputation matters little; the result will simply be a victory for him.
Littler earned his place in the final with a spectacular 17-5 demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Winter Gardens. He posted a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average and hit sixteen 180s, showcasing a level of scoring that left spectators in awe.
His performance has put him on track to set a new benchmark for the highest tournament average ever recorded. Price, the current world number one, has been equally impressive, maintaining an average above 109 across all four of his matches on the road to the final. His consistency has made him the clear favourite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to claim back‑to‑back World Matchplay titles. Yet, he remains focused on the task at hand, insisting that his goal is not merely to reach the final but to lift the trophy.
"When I walk into any match I see myself as the favourite," Price said after his quarter‑final win. "That’s how I think and how I prepare.
If I bring my A‑game, it doesn’t matter who I’m up against – I’ll win. Simple as that." He added that Littler, despite his impressive run, will have to overcome the pressure of being the tournament favourite. "They know if I play my A‑game I will win. Luke knows that if he’s off his game he can lose.
If I’m at my best, I’m fine – I’ll take the title," Price asserted. This will be Price’s first major televised final since his 2023 triumph and his first appearance at the World Matchplay since 2022.
He emphasized that his ambition goes beyond ranking points or national pride; he is there to claim the championship. "I’m not here just to make finals and climb the rankings. I’m here to win," he declared.
Littler, meanwhile, has made history by becoming the first player in PDC history to amass £3 million in prize money, and he is eager to add another major to his growing résumé. The 19‑year‑old youngster said, "I know I can achieve great things in this sport. If I keep playing like this, I hope to take the trophy again." Both players acknowledge the intensity of a final that will be contested over a best‑of‑35‑leg format. Littler warned against underestimating any opponent, especially in a final.
"You can’t underestimate anyone, especially in a final. If Gezzy [Price] and I both play well tomorrow, I think I have a good chance of winning," he said. Price reflected on his recent head‑to‑head record with Littler, noting that he has lost his last nine encounters, a streak that began at the Bahrain Darts Masters in January.
Despite this, he remains convinced that a higher level of play will turn the tide. "I’m in a major final and I haven’t played anywhere near my best in any of these games. I know I have a lot more in the tank. If that comes out, I’ll lift the trophy.
If not, I’ll fight right through," Price explained. Littler’s confidence is rooted in his own consistency. He believes that each opponent will need to raise their game dramatically to beat him, stating, "Every player will have to play at least ten times better against me than in the previous round because they have to. The numbers keep coming, so someone has to do something extraordinary to beat me.
I just keep pushing onward." The final is set to be the highlight of a busy Sunday that also includes the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time winner Beau Greaves. The women’s event will kick off at 1 pm on Sky Sports Action, while the men’s final is scheduled for around 8:15 pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
As the two young talents prepare for what promises to be a thrilling showdown, darts fans can expect a clash of styles: Price’s experience and ruthless finishing against Littler’s explosive scoring and relentless momentum. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Price’s belief in his A‑game will be enough to halt Littler’s meteoric rise, or if the teenage prodigy will cement his place in history by securing back‑to‑back major titles.
The live broadcast will begin at 7:30 pm, with the final match itself starting shortly thereafter. Viewers can stream the action via NOW or watch on traditional television channels.
As the countdown to the decisive leg begins, both players have made it clear that they intend to leave nothing on the board – the winner will be the one who can sustain the highest level of performance for the longest stretch, and the darts world will be watching closely to see who that will be.