Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen tale of the tape: 17-year-old sensation has the higher tournament average and more 180s - but Mighty Mike's career earnings vastly exceed the Nuke's
Share:
Luke Littler will bid to become the youngest winner of the World Darts Championship when he faces Michael van Gerwen in the final at Alexandra Palace. The 17-year-old has made back-to-back finals at the tournament and will be bidding to go one step further than last year when he fell to an agonising defeat to Luke Humphries.
![[Van Gerwen faces young rival Littler in the final at Alexandra Palace on Friday evening]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93708537-14246837-image-a-2_1735907350429.jpg)
Should Littler triumph on Friday night he will break Van Gerwen’s record, with the Dutchman having become the youngest champion at the age of 24 back in 2014. Van Gerwen will be bidding to claim the fourth world title of his career having previously triumphed in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
![[Littler thrashed Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the semi-finals to reach the Ally Pally showpiece]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93709021-14246837-image-a-11_1735908235579.jpg)
With the head-to-head level at six wins apiece heading into their Ally Pally showdown, Mail Sport takes a look at how the players stack up against each other as they bid to claim the £500,000. Luke Littler, right, will be bidding to take Michael van Gerwen's record as youngest champion.
![[Van Gerwen has improved as the tournament went on and won a thriller against Callan Rydz]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93709045-14246837-image-a-12_1735908295219.jpg)
Van Gerwen faces young rival Littler in the final at Alexandra Palace on Friday evening. Having made a stunning debut as a 16-year-old last year, with his run to the final gripping the nation’s attention, Littler came into this year’s event with the weight of expectation on his shoulders.
![[Littler posted his highest average of the tournament in his semi-final victory over Bunting]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93709083-14246837-image-a-14_1735908395458.jpg)
‘The Nuke’ has proved up to the task of backing up his sensational run, but has faced some challenges on the way. Littler opened his tournament with a 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the second round, before the fourth seed overcame Ian White in a best of seven set contest.
![[Littler has achieved significantly more 180s than Van Gerwen on his run to the final]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/12/93709067-14246837-image-a-13_1735908345963.jpg)
