Luke Littler vs Joe Cullen Prediction: Joe Cullen will pose some challenges for Litter in this round
– The Hungarian Darts Trophy (ET12) heats up at Budapest’s MVM Dome on Saturday evening, with world champion Luke Littler facing a gritty Joe Cullen in the second round. Seeded second, the 18-year-old “Nuke” from Warrington enters as the heavy favorite, but Cullen’s recent resurgence and proven ability to upset the elite make this a far from straightforward matchup. Expect high-scoring drama in a race to six legs, where Littler’s firepower meets Cullen’s dogged consistency—though the teenager’s form should ultimately prevail.
The Road to Round Two: How They Got Here
Littler, fresh off a runner-up finish at last weekend’s World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam (where he fell 11-7 to Michael van Gerwen in the final), received a bye into the last 16 as one of the top seeds. His 2025 season remains a juggernaut: victories at the World Championship (7-3 over van Gerwen), UK Open, World Matchplay (18-13 vs. James Wade), and multiple World Series events, including the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters. Over his last five matches, Littler boasts a 4-1 record, with blistering averages often exceeding 105—highlighted by a 170 checkout and 14 maximums in an eight-leg demolition of Luke Humphries earlier this month.
Cullen, ranked 26th on the PDC Order of Merit, earned his spot the hard way, scraping past qualifier Lukas Wenig 6-5 in Friday’s opener. Trailing 5-4, the Yorkshireman survived three match darts before nailing double 18, averaging 93.5 in a nervy decider. Like Littler, Cullen is 4-1 in his last five, but his form has been a rollercoaster: a Players Championship 27 triumph (8-7 over Gerwyn Price) on September 10 propelled him into World Grand Prix contention, yet he’s sandwiched that with early exits in majors like the World Series Finals (last 32). Earlier highs include a 2022 Hungarian Darts Trophy title and a shock 6-3 win over Littler in February’s Players Championship 1.
Head-to-Head: A History of High Drama
This marks their fourth meeting on the Pro Tour, with Littler leading 2-1. Their most recent clash came in April’s German Darts Grand Prix last 16, where Littler edged a 6-4 thriller, averaging 102.3 to Cullen’s 98.7 amid a barrage of shared 180s. Prior to that, Cullen stunned the then-reigning world champ 6-3 in February’s PC1 third round, hitting eight maximums and capitalizing on Littler’s 15 missed doubles. Their 2022 encounter (pre-Littler’s explosion) went to Cullen in a Players Championship decider. No televised history yet, but these Pro Tour scraps suggest tight affairs—Cullen thrives when Littler falters on the finish.
| Match | Date | Event | Result | Littler Avg | Cullen Avg | 180s (Littler/Cullen) |
|——-|——|——-|——–|————-|————|———————–|
| 1 | Feb 2025 | PC1 (R3) | Cullen 6-3 | 92.4 | 97.1 | 7/8 |
| 2 | Apr 2025 | German DGP (L16) | Littler 6-4 | 102.3 | 98.7 | 9/7 |
| 3 | Sep 2025 | Hungarian DT (L16) | TBD | – | – | – |
Key Matchup Factors: Firepower vs. Resilience
– Scoring Power: Littler’s the undisputed king here—his 2025 average sits at 101.2 across majors, with a tournament-record 17 180s in the World Matchplay final alone. Cullen’s no slouch (averaging 95+ in recent wins), but he’ll need 10+ maximums to stay competitive, as he did in beating Littler earlier this year.
– Finishing: This could be the decider. Littler boasts a 45% checkout rate in 2025, but Cullen’s opportunistic streak shines under pressure (e.g., 66.7% vs. Wenig). If the Rock misses doubles (as in PC1), Cullen pounces—expect 40+ attempts at the wire.
– **Momentum and Motivation**: Littler’s chasing a fourth European Tour title of the year and a deep run to build on his Triple Crown (World Championship, Premier League, Matchplay). Cullen, eyeing European Championship qualification with just two events left, arrives buoyed by PC27 glory but vulnerable to burnout after a grueling opener.
– Venue Vibe: Budapest suits big hitters—the 2022 final (Cullen’s win) averaged 98 overall. With a vocal crowd and evening session slot (around 7:30 PM BST), expect fireworks, but Littler’s unflappable demeanor in hostile environments gives him the edge.
Prediction: Littler Edges a Thriller, But Cullen Makes Him Earn It
Joe Cullen will pose genuine challenges for Littler in this round, forcing the champion into uncomfortable scraps on the doubles and testing his resolve with gritty holds. The veteran could steal an early break, much like Wenig threatened, and his recent form suggests he won’t fade quietly. However, Littler’s superior firepower and mental steel—evident in comebacks like his 5-0 deficit recovery in the Matchplay semis—should see him through in a high-octane 6-4 victory.
Betting Angle: Littler to win (-300 odds implied favorite), but back Over 9.5 legs (1.70 at 1xBet) for the value—Cullen’s last-gasp survival hints at a prolonged battle. Total 180s Over 15.5 looks tasty too, given their history.
Tune in live on Sky Sports or PDCTV from 6 PM BST for what promises to be a last-16 cracker. With quarterfinal potential against the Humphries-Aspinall winner looming, Littler can’t afford complacency—but if anyone can expose it, it’s “The Rock.”
