Luke Littler faces the same problem that cost him World Series of Darts Finals glory last year

Luke Littler as ever will be the big talking point this weekend as he aims to hold all the major titles at the same time before the end of the year, but he does not exactly have the best relationship with the World Series of Darts Finals, as previous form shows.

That problem has been in the past, with a certain Michael van Gerwen who won the title last year and beat Littler en route to winning the title. He proved to be the kryptonite and came from nowhere, in fact, to claim it in what was a run that catapulted MVG back into the psyche of many and begged the question: can he perform again on the world stage?

His form since then has been a bit intermittent, while Littler has been the best player in the world still in many facets and has also picked and chosen to perfection. But given that Littler has lost here before, it could be one that, if he doesn't take too seriously after again a few weeks off after previously playing in Prague on the European Tour, could play into the hands of others.

While Littler has often been the headline act, something has often discerned his dominance at certain points.

His World Series of Darts Finals record, though, is a good one, as despite losing to MVG last year, he won on debut and has, by proxy, never failed to reach the final when entering the event. But there is added pressure this year given that Littler is aiming to win everything.

While he has succeeded thus far, there have been certain points where this has been tested; for instance, on the Pro Tour, he has run into players such as Jermaine Wattimena and Brendan Dolan, who perhaps wouldn't beat him on the stage. But it shows that when he in particular doesn't play a lot, he can be a tiny bit vulnerable like any player. Even MVG during the peak of his pomp was vulnerable at times, but that in itself added a layer of narrative that the Dutchman often discerningly determined himself.

Michael van Gerwen, though, in this case, has already cracked the code. During last year's final, Littler averaged 101.99, but MVG still managed to average 98.37 in winning 11-7 in the end.

Van Gerwen did most of the running, and while many expected Littler to roar back and change the narrative, MVG found a way. He went 3-2 up to lead at the first interval with three 180s in the opening five legs, and while Littler returned to level on the resumption of play, MVG rattled off three straight legs to move in front.

The key moment came when Littler missed darts to make it 7-7, while Van Gerwen instead took the leg before then moving 9-6 in front. He then sealed the win with a fine 130 checkout ending with that 98.37 average.

This showed his ability to win the match without necessarily needing to outscore Littler over the entire contest. But they also have form this year facing each other.

Luke Littler managed to beat Van Gerwen during the opening stanza of the season when he beat the Dutchman at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters 8-5. "Fair play to him [Littler]. He had a fantastic tournament. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and move on," said Van Gerwen at the time.

This season alone, though, it has been mostly Littler who has managed to take the spoils since that day in Amsterdam. The latest meeting was in Prague just this month, where Littler won 7-3.

But perhaps there is more to it in that Van Gerwen, of course, always heads into this tournament as the home hero, and Littler, due to his dominance, has received the role that MVG often got of being the booed villain who is a bit of a partisan figure.

So giving Van Gerwen carte blanche to be that player on the big stage in Amsterdam means that for Littler, he has that issue, especially as a player who in the past hasn't reacted well to criticism or booing.

Littler opens up against Danny Noppert, another Dutchman, so it is tricky for that reason. He then would likely face Nathan Aspinall or Raymond Smith. It is very likely that as opposed to MVG, who is top seed, it will be Clayton or Aspinall that could stop him before the latter stages.

Van Gerwen now faces Daryl Gurney, so tougher than Lourence Ilagan, but he has perhaps only really the likes of Ross Smith to navigate in that top section, so we could in theory get a re-run of the final in Amsterdam.

Battling the crowd is very much an issue, but other players lurking in the draw other than MVG could perhaps prove to be an issue. Luke Humphries, albeit he has had shoulder issues as of late and given he just lost to him in the Prague final, 'Cool Hand' hopefully refreshed and with his body right will aim to find his way again.

While Gian van Veen has been in the type of form that he had pre-kidney stones, and both he and Wessel Nijman could be a good bet for this weekend in front of a home crowd and both in fine fettle.

So to say Littler will have it as a walk-in in the park is perhaps misplaced. Littler is the player everyone expects to win — but he has already discovered that this particular tournament isn't quite that simple. He won it in 2024; he reached the final in 2025. He lost to Van Gerwen, and with the clean sweep on, how will he react?

For most tournaments, the question is whether anyone can stop Luke Littler. In Amsterdam, there is a slightly different question: has Littler solved the one World Series problem that already cost him this title?