Keith Deller MBE provides his pre-tournament tips and predictions for the upcoming 2026 World Grand Prix at Leicester's Mattioli Arena as Luke Littler bids to go back-to-back in the unique double-in-double-out format event.
World Grand Prix Winner Prediction
Luke Littler may have missed out on his quest to become the first player in history to land every televised major in a calendar year, but I am tipping him to bounce back to winning ways in Leicester at the World Grand Prix.
The Nuke had steamrolled his way past all who had stood before him before Johnny Clayton ended his triumphant run with a splendid performance in the semi-final of the World Series of Darts Finals last week.
Littler was clearly hurt on the back of that defeat and now, having had a few days to stew over things, I fully expect him to be right at full-tilt as he looks to defend his World Grand Prix crown.
The world number one reigned supreme in this event 12 months ago and looks well equipped to go the full distance this time around even if he had to lick his wounds in Amsterdam recently.
The format of this competition suits him down to the ground, he is so comfortable on those doubles, especially on 10s and tops and if he gets away well, which I expect him to, then he will take some stopping.
World Grand Prix Pre-Tournament Tips
- Forecast the Finalists - Luke Littler & Luke Humphries @ 15/4
- Luke Humphries - To Reach the Final @ 11/5
- James Wade - To Win the Second Quarter @ 10/3
- Rob Cross - To Win the Fourth Quarter @ 17/2
Look, I know there isn't an enormous amount of value in my outright winner prediction, but I have pulled out a handful of other bets which carry plenty of betting appeal.
I have already staked my claim for Littler to go the full distance, but who else should we be keeping a close eye on over the next week or 10 days?
Well, Luke Humphries is really starting to find his groove again, and this, as we all know, is one of the majors that has continued to evade him -- something that really surprises me given how comfortable he is on those doubles.
I really like the price on him to win his half of the draw, and, as a consequence of that, I feel there is value to be had on forecasting the two Lukes to contest the final at the end of the week.
In terms of outsiders, well there are a few I could pick out, but there are two that I especially think could pull up a few trees in Leicester.
James Wade is enjoying a real resurgence; he looks at the top of his game and he has that hunger and drive again, which always spells danger.
He is incredibly consistent, he very rarely dips below his levels and anybody toeing the oche against him knows that they are going to have to really go some to get the better of him.
He won a recent World Series event, he's just captured another title on the European Tour and it may not be long until he is back holding a title aloft in one of the TV majors... he will be thinking, like I am, why can't it be this one!
Rob Cross is another one whose odds are far too big for my liking, and whilst doubles have proven his Achilles Heel in the past, he boasts the rest of the game to cause real serious problems to the rest of the field.
He really needs to nail down his favourite double because far too often he is chasing around the board, which is never a good place to be.
If he can hit a purple patch on those doubles though, which he absolutely could do, then he will be a danger.
We have seen him go the full distance on the grandest stage of them all at the World Darts Championship, so he certainly possesses the quality and mindset to cause some real damage here.
He may not be the first name on many peoples lips when it comes to potential winners, but his price just sticks out like a sore thumb to me, so a play on Voltage winning his quarter, or even an each-way bet on the tournament as a whole, is worth considering.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
