“For them to get beat they’ll need to be well of their game”- Wayne Mardle is struggling to see how they don’t bring the trophy home
Wayne Mardle Backs Luke Littler and Michael Smith to Dominate 2025 World Cup of Darts: “They’ll Need to Be Well Off Their Game to Lose”
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle is brimming with confidence in England’s Luke Littler and Michael Smith as they prepare to represent their country at the 2025 World Cup of Darts, set for June 12-15, 2025, at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle. The dynamic duo, combining Littler’s prodigious talent with Smith’s seasoned prowess, has Mardle convinced they’re near-unbeatable. “For them to get beat, they’ll need to be well off their game,” Mardle told *Sky Sports*. “I’m struggling to see how they don’t bring the trophy home.” England, the defending champions, face a stacked field including Netherlands’ Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert, but Littler and Smith’s form makes them the team to watch.
Littler, the 18-year-old world No. 4, has had a stellar 2025, clinching the PDC World Championship with a 7-3 win over Van Gerwen, the Premier League with a record six nightly wins, and titles in Bahrain and the UK Open. His recent Nordic Darts Masters debut, facing Viktor Tingstrom on June 6, 2025, in Copenhagen, adds to his momentum. Smith, the 2023 world champion, has been equally impressive, reaching the World Championship quarter-finals and securing the Players Championship 6 title with an 8-5 win over Ryan Searle in March 2025. Their partnership, which shone in England’s 2024 World Cup triumph (10-6 over Austria’s Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez), blends Littler’s fearless scoring—evidenced by his 114.09 average in Sheffield’s Premier League—and Smith’s clutch finishing, averaging 98.32 in recent PDC ProTour events.
Mardle’s optimism stems from their complementary styles. “Littler’s a scoring machine, and Bully Boy [Smith] has that killer instinct on doubles,” he noted on *Sky Sports*. England’s path includes a first-round clash against South Africa’s Cameron Carolissen and Johan Geldenhuys, per *Dartsnews.com*, with potential quarter-final matchups against strong teams like Wales (Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton) or Scotland (Peter Wright and Gary Anderson). The Netherlands, with Van Gerwen’s 47 PDC majors and Noppert’s recent European Darts Open final appearance, loom as the biggest threat, especially after Van Gerwen’s withdrawal from the Nordic Darts Masters for personal reasons, signaling his focus on the World Cup.
Despite their prowess, challenges remain. Littler’s grueling schedule, including a 17-week Premier League campaign and a near-miss in the final (11-8 to Luke Humphries), has raised concerns about fatigue, as noted by Dennis Priestley. Smith, meanwhile, has battled inconsistency, with a third-round World Championship loss to Anderson. Yet, their 2024 World Cup chemistry—Littler’s 76 maximums and Smith’s 64% checkout rate—makes them formidable. Fans on X, like @DartsPlanetTV, echo Mardle’s confidence: “Littler and Smith are a nightmare for any team. England’s got this.” As Frankfurt awaits, the duo’s blend of youth and experience, backed by Mardle’s bold prediction, sets the stage for a potential repeat title run.
