"Littler could be in trouble" - Paul Nicholson weighs up Gian van Veen's World Grand Prix chances

Luke Littler is looking to add another major to his already growing tally, as he makes his second appearance at the World Grand Prix. He is widely recognised as the best player in the world, but that does not stop him from receiving a really tough draw in the form of Gian van Veen with Paul Nicholson believing that the Dutchman could cause a seismic upset in Leicester.

The pair both lost their opening round matches last year, with Littler going down to Rob Cross and van Veen losing to Ross Smith. They are set to clash on the second night of action in the Mattioli Arena, with one of them set to continue their winless streak at the double-in double-out competition.

This format makes the event a lot more wide open, with it producing a golden opportunity for many players to upset the big stars of the game if they can find their range on the outer ring.

Van Veen has currently got Littler at arm's length in previous meetings. The duo have produced some monster averages against each other. Littler racked up a 107.3 average against The Giant on his way to the UK Open title, with van Veen averaging over 110 in the German Darts Grand Prix a month later. Their last meeting saw the young Dutchman once again come pout on top, winning 6-4 in the Czech Darts Open. Former professional Nicholson has exclaimed his excitement for this matchup, believing that Littler could not have faced a tougher opponent.

"I love this game for more than one reason because the head-to-head record states that Gian van Veen is 4-3 up," Nicholson said on the Love The Darts podcast. "They've never played double start. [Van Veen is a good finisher], he is a double 16 and a bullseye guy. If he gets bulls at the end of legs, Littler could be in trouble.

"If he gets off well, then he's got last year for experience. He didn't win in the first round but this time he might think 'what pressures on me?' He's the top qualifier of the players outside the top 16, so he's the one everybody did not want to get. Take Aspinall out of it because he feels like a seed anyway, but if you did not want to get someone it would have been van Veen."

The Asset went the extra mile, touting van Veen for a deep run in the event. "If he can get into double-start darts that De Decker did last year, who knows what he could do," he said.

Along with Littler, world number one Luke Humphries will go into the event as the overwhelming favourites, having swept up the majority of major titles between them over the last couple of years. Despite their pedigree in the sport, Nicholson and Michael Bridge believe that they could both be in real danger of departing the competition in the first round. Cool Hand Luke also faces a tough test in the form of Nathan Aspinall.

"You could see the top two then easily both going out," Bridge said. "I don't mean to be negative but that is the beauty of the tournament." Nicholson replied: "Wouldn't be shocked if both go out, wouldn't be shocked if both go through."