Betting predictions for the start of the 2025 World Darts Championship: who is worth betting on?

Darts has become absolutely mainstream in Germany too: According to the latest statistical surveys, the number of members in Germany's largest darts association alone has increased by more than 100 percent since 2014 - not to mention the hundreds of thousands who regularly watch the major tournaments on TV or stream. The most important event of the year just began last Sunday, December 15. Let's take a look at the favorites and insider tips for sports betting. Incidentally, there are more Germans than ever before.

The darts are flying again and the excitement could hardly be greater: The 2025 World Darts Championship at the legendary Ally Pally in London kicked off on Sunday, December 15, and promises to be a spectacle in a class of its own.

1. This year's World Cup once again has all the ingredients for perfect drama: 96 of the world's best players will battle it out for the title in knockout mode - and for prize money that has reached record heights at around €3 million.
2. Although the top 32 players in the world rankings will only get into the action in the second round, the supposed underdogs are sure to have exciting duels in the first round.
3. The format gets tougher from round to round: three winning sets will suffice at the start, but the finalists will then have to win a whopping seven sets to take the title.
4. The final at Alexandra Palace, which is known for its incomparable atmosphere, will once again be the highlight of the darts season.

With record prize money of 600,000 euros for the winner and a field that is hard to beat in terms of quality, two crucial questions remain unanswered: Who will come out on top and who is worth betting on? To look at the top favorites and insider tips, we rely on various predictions from English experts, the motherland of darts. A lot can happen.

These are the favorites for the 2025 World Darts Championship title

The 2025 World Darts Championship promises to be another spectacle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Last year, Luke Littler enchanted the darts world with a story that was almost too good to be true: The then 16-year-old captured the hearts of fans and made headlines on the front pages by sensationally reaching the final. Even though he was ultimately defeated by Luke Humphries, Littler has since proved that his success was not a flash in the pan. Now he returns as the top favorite, but the competition is not sleeping.

Luke Littler: the shooting star with ambitions

Luke Littler is the bookmakers' favorite in both the UK and Germany - and quite rightly so. The 17-year-old won all the major titles in 2024, including the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts. He dominates the scene not only with his precise play, but also with his impressive mental strength.

A year ago he was still the young underdog, now he is becoming the man to beat. Littler now knows the Ally Pally stage inside out and has everything it takes to land the big one.

Luke Humphries: The defending champion in top form

The reigning world champion goes into the tournament as runner-up with the sports betting providers. He has proven to be one of the most consistent players over the last twelve months. Humphries' triumph in the 2024 final was not only a personal milestone, but also showed that he can perform at his best under pressure.

Humphries won the 2024 Players Championship Finals, the World Matchplay and, together with Michael Smith, the World Cup of Darts. He was also a finalist in the UK Open, the Premier League Darts and the World Grand Prix. However, his biggest challenge this year could be Littler - and earlier than many initially assumed. Both are in the same tournament tree at the World Championship and could meet before the final.

These insider tips could cause surprises at the 2025 World Darts Championship

Gary Anderson: Return of the "Flying Scotsman"

Gary Anderson, once a permanent fixture on the biggest stages in the sport of darts, has made a comeback in recent months that has delighted many fans. After a few mixed years, the two-time world champion has returned with strong performances.

A quarter-final appearance at the European Championship and a semi-final at the Grand Slam of Darts show that the Scot is far from being an old hand. With his experience - Anderson has already reached the World Championship final five times - and his impressive form, he could be right at the top again this year. Especially because he is competing with somewhat lower expectations, which makes him dangerously unpredictable.

Michael van Gerwen: The former titan in search of his former glory

Michael van Gerwen has undoubtedly had better times. The Dutchman, who dominated the scene for over a decade, finished 2024 with an unusually poor record. Not a single major title and hardly any notable successes in the major tournaments - an absolute low for the three-time world champion.

Nevertheless, MVG remains MVG. His skills and instincts are undisputed - and the reduced pressure of focusing on Littler and Humphries could benefit him. He has often proven at the Ally Pally that he is capable of top performances on the big stage - perhaps this is exactly the moment for a return to the limelight.

Wessel Nijman: the newcomer with great potential

The name Wessel Nijman may still be unfamiliar to many, but the young Dutchman has made an impressive name for himself this year. With his victory at the Players Championship 24 and his win on the PDC Development Tour 2024, where he won an impressive seven titles, the 24-year-old has proven that he is no flash in the pan. Nijman could use the World Darts Championship to celebrate his breakthrough on the big stage - an outsider to keep an eye on.

Mike de Decker: The "real deal" from Belgium

Mike de Decker is nicknamed "The Real Deal" for a reason. With his triumph at the 2024 World Grand Prix and another Players Championship title, the Belgian has shown that he is capable of beating even the big names on the scene.

With his consistency and ability to score at crucial moments, de Decker could pose a serious threat to the established names this year. If he finds his best form, anything is possible.

And what are the Germans' chances?

The German players will be competing at the 2025 World Darts Championship with a strong delegation - bigger than ever before. None of them are expected to win the title. Nevertheless, the participants have exciting stories and potential that bettors should take into account.

Martin Schindler: "The Wall" as the German number one

Martin Schindler is the strongest German player at the start this year. The 28-year-old is ranked 22nd in the PDC Order of Merit and has therefore qualified directly for the second round - an impressive achievement. Schindler won two PDC tournaments in Europe in 2024, including the prestigious competition in Riesa.

He is only the third German ever to win a professional event. Now taking part in his fourth World Championship and with the experience of great success, he probably has the best chances among the German participants.

Gabriel Clemens: The "German Giant" wants to attack again

Gabriel Clemens, known as the "German Giant", is one of the best-known faces in German darts. He will also start directly in the second round and hopes to build on his old successes.

Clemens, currently ranked 27th in the world, has had a rather quiet year in 2023, but he remains a player with experience and an impressive record: he has been active on the tour since 2018 and has long since established himself as a constant part of the elite. With the support of the German fans, he could once again surpass himself.

Ricardo Pietreczko: the surprise winner

Ricardo Pietreczko provided the biggest German darts moment of the year in 2024: at the German Darts Championships, he stormed from qualifying to victory and secured a European Championship title - the second German ever to do so!

The Berliner shows time and again that he can beat even the big names on the scene on a good day. His talent makes him an exciting outsider who could cause a sensation at this World Championships.

Florian Hempel: The man with the handball past

Florian Hempel is a player who stands out not only for his performances, but also for his unusual career. The former handball goalkeeper only switched to darts late in life.

This made his first World Cup appearance in 2022 and his victory against Belgian star Dimitri van den Bergh all the more impressive. Even if things have become a little quieter around him since then, Hempel remains a player who is always good for surprises - especially in a knockout tournament like the World Cup.

Niko Springer and Kai Gotthardt: the debutants

Niko Springer (24) and Kai Gotthardt (29) are two German players making their World Cup debuts. Both have qualified impressively this year and bring a breath of fresh air to the German team.

For them, experience at the Ally Pally is likely to be paramount. But it is precisely this light-hearted approach that makes them potentially dangerous. Perhaps they can make an impact in the first round and gain important international experience.

Source of the image: Screenshot from https://www.pdc.tv/news/2024/12/16/202425-paddy-power-world-darts-championship-day-two-latest