Price Warns Littler: Underdog Tag Won’t Stop Him at World Matchplay Final

Gerwyn Price is ready to flip the script. As the Betfred World Matchplay final looms on Sunday, the Welshman finds himself in unfamiliar territory: the underdog. But far from being daunted, Price is relishing the tag and insists he has the firepower to dethrone defending champion Luke Littler on the Blackpool stage.

Embracing the Underdog Role

Price, a former world champion and one of the most explosive players on the circuit, knows all about pressure. But with Littler’s meteoric rise captivating the darting world, many have written off the Iceman’s chances. Price, however, sees opportunity. “If I play my A game, I will win,” he declared, underlining his belief that his best darts can still beat anyone. The underdog label suits him; it strips away expectation and lets him focus on the board.

The Challenge of Luke Littler

Waiting in the opposite corner is Luke Littler, the teenage sensation who has taken the sport by storm. Littler’s composure and scoring power have made him a formidable champion, and he will have the vocal backing of the Winter Gardens crowd. Price respects the challenge but remains unshaken. He knows that big-match experience—his battles with the sport’s elite—gives him an edge when the lights are brightest. The key will be keeping Littler off the doubles and maintaining his own heavy scoring.

What’s at Stake in Blackpool

This final is more than just a trophy. For Price, it’s a chance to silence doubters and reassert himself among darts’ elite after a period of relative quiet. For Littler, victory would cement his status as a dominant force. The World Matchplay trophy carries prestige—a testament to consistency over a gruelling week. Whoever handles the pressure will lift the Phil Taylor Trophy come Sunday night.

The Bottom Line

Gerwyn Price believes the underdog tag is a temporary label. If he produces his trademark intensity and finishing, he can turn the final on its head. Luke Littler knows better than to underestimate a man who has won the biggest titles in the game. Expect fireworks in Blackpool.