Luke Littler is the understandable 2.88 favourite to lift this year’s World Matchplay title, however those odds seem poor value given that the teenage trailblazer finds himself housed on the same side of the draw as three of the other four players at the head of the outright betting. Instead, I’m looking at Luke Humphries to go all the way for the second year running at a much more attractive 4.50.

The world number one has solidified his place among the sport's elite this year, most notably becoming just the fourth player to complete darts' triple crown following his Premier League triumph in May. ‘Cool Hand’ has since gone on to lift the US Darts Masters title last month, meaning that he will arrive in Blackpool brimming with confidence.

While opening up against Gian van Veen is no gimme, Humphries should see off the Dutchman in round one, and thereafter a deep run is entirely plausible. Even if the market plays out to expectation and Humphries runs into Littler in the final, Cool Hand could hold a psychological edge having toppled the teenager in this year's Premier League showpiece at the O2.

It feels like only a matter of time before Gerwyn Price picks up another major title, and on current form, he looks well placed to go all the way in Blackpool at 11.0. The Iceman seems to have rekindled the fire within himself, and he will arrive at the Winter Gardens as one of the PDC’s standout performers in 2025. The Welshman claimed his 9th European title, and first since 2023, with a string of dominant displays at the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel at the weekend, not to mention he also won the 2025 Poland Darts Masters earlier this month. 

Price can also take plenty of positives away from his performances in this year's Premier League, reaching the play-offs with minimum fuss and hitting a pair of nine-darters along the way. A strong showing for his country that coincided with a run to the World Cup of Darts final last month serves as further proof that Price’s game is in a good place right now. 

Price should prove too strong for Daryl Gurney in round one, and thereafter I would expect him to enjoy a deep run, with a maiden World Matchplay crown certainly not out of the realms of possibility.

Josh Rock has come on leaps and bounds this year, and there is every chance that he can upset the apple cart by lifting the 2025 World Matchplay title at 13.0. While the Antrim native burst onto the scene by winning the World Youth Darts Championship three years ago, 2025 could be his true breakout campaign.

Rocky reached his first PDC major semi-final at the UK Open earlier this year, and he has since inspired Northern Ireland to glory at last month’s World Cup of Darts. Aged just 24, Rock racked up a record-breaking 20 180s at the 2025 World Cup, including 9 in the final. Last month’s World Cup success will have instilled a newfound belief in Rock’s game, and I suspect that he will pose a serious threat to anyone that he crosses paths with in Blackpool. 

What’s more, Rock has been one of PDC's leading 180-hitters this year, with only seven players hitting more maximums thus far. On top of that, the Northern Irishman boasts a mighty impressive average of 98.74 across this calendar year - a tally topped by only Luke Littler (100.93) and Luke Humphries (99.23).