Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen – World Darts Championship: Live rating and leg-by-leg updates as teenage sensation units his sights on first world title as he comes up towards three-time champion

What a year for Littler. Be honest, before last year’s Worlds, how many of you knew who he was?

He was just 16 when he debuted in last year’s tournament. And he just kept winning. From being a bit of a cheeky chap, so to speak, on stage, he took out the likes of Andrew Gilding and Matt Campbell before taking on his childhood hero, Roman van Barneveld.

No issue there either. Just a 4-1 win over a four-time world champion.

The run continued as he beat both Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross, before facing the man who would become his arch rival, Luke Humphries in the final.

He was on top, missing double 2 to go 5-2 up. But he didn’t and Humphries showed his class by coming back to claim victory. But a star was born.

Since then, he has become truly famous, starring on shows like the Jonathan Ross show, Bullseye, and Game of Throws.

There are, though, darts to be thrown. and there’s a job to do tonight.

This is how the two men – well, man and boy – compare ahead of tonight.

It’s no secret that Van Gerwen is much, much more experienced. He has 47 major career titles to Littler’s three. But, this tournament, Littler has more 180s and a higher average – he’s a bit of a maximum machine.

We’ve also had a look at who they support, their routes to the final, and their partners. Click here or below to get the full tale of the tape.

Van Gerwen is looking to win his fourth world title. For Littler, it would be his first, but he is just 17 – in case you hadn’t heard.

The Dutchman is a winning machine, but has not been as his best this year. He has won pretty much nothing – but that could all change tonight and he won’t care one jot if he’s the one lifting the trophy in a few hours.

It is indeed the Sid Waddell trophy they are playing for tonight, named after the legendary commentator. But it’s also the right to be named the world’s best, even though neither man will be able to leapfrog Luke Humphries with a win tonight.

And there is also the small matter of £500,000 on the line.

Good evening one and all and welcome. It’s the big one – Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen in the final of the World Darts Championship.

I cannot wait. As soon as defending champion Luke Humphries went out, it was the final everyone wanted, and it’s the final everyone is getting.

The teenage prodigy turned world beater up against one of the best sportspeople in the planet and that the sport of darts has ever seen. No time for sentiment. For poetic endings. If Littler wants to win this thing, he is going to have to earn it. But he knows that, and he know what he is up against.

Play is expected to get underway at around 7:40. So strap in and get ready for what could be an absolute classic.