"If you don't get Luke Littler in this round, he goes on to win the event'' - Mark Webster puts fate of Grand Slam in hands of Mike de Decker

Thursday night is the last chance to knock out Luke Littler at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. At least, that is the opinion of ex-pro turned expert Mark Webster. According to "The Spider," Littler is sure to win the tournament if he manages to get past the next hurdle.

After first-round exits at the ranking majors World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and the European Darts Championships, 'The Nuke' has convincingly survived the first shuffle at the Grand Slam of Darts. The 17-year-old teenage sensation had a formidable start to his tournament in Wolverhampton on Saturday by beating Keane Barry 5-0 thanks to an average of 112. This was followed by a 5-1 victory over Dimitri van den Bergh with an average of 106.98. In an attractive duel, he was then also too strong for Lourence Ilagan (5-3) with 102.05 average.

Currently, Littler is widely considered the top favourite for the title after Luke Humphries, Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen were already eliminated in the group stage. The Grand Slam of Darts is now Littler's big chance to win a ranking major after his titles in the Premier League Darts and at the World Series Finals earlier this year.

''I wasn't concerned about Littler coming into the tournament, he's had a few setbacks, but he's been brilliant this year,'' Webster begins his opinion piece on the Sky Sports website. ''I stand by what I said about Littler and Humphries. If you're going to get them out, you've got to get them early. If you don't get Luke Littler in this round, I don't think you do, and I think he goes on to win the event,'' said Webster, putting the fate of entire Grand Slam in the hands of Mike de Decker. The newly crowned World Grand Prix winner will play Thursday night against the 17-year-old teenage sensation for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Fellow analyst Wayne Mardle, meanwhile, also sees Littler as a major contender for the title. ''It's Littler's first year on the PDC professional tour. He's inside the top 16 already. There is a lot to like," Hawaii 501 assesses. "Mark is right to say he can be the champion come cup collection day because he's such a tough man to beat."