PDC Form Guide Update: Josh Rock best of the rest behind Luke Littler & Luke Humphries; Stephen Bunting most likely World Matchplay challenger?

The latest update to the PDC Form Guide from statistician Christopher Kempf has arrived, and in it, Northern Ireland's World Cup of Darts winning hero Josh Rock has emerged as the closest force to Luke Humphries and Luke Littler.

Taking into account the last 200 legs of darts played by the PDC's finest, Kempf puts together a table of the most in form players around, based off things like average, 171-180 scores, 99-101+ checkouts and double percentage. Following the most recent Players Championship block from Leicester in midweek, Humphries and Littler remain the two world leaders, despite not having actually been present.

Despite a disappointing World Cup of Darts campaign, the two Lukes remain the men to beat on the PDC circuit, as shown by the stats. Over his last 200 legs played, Humphries an average of 101.10, 76 three treble visits and a double percentage of 41.86%. Littler meanwhile, despite averaging less than his World Cup partner (99.89) has actually hit more 180s (83), more ton-plus checkouts (16 to Humphries' 8) and a better finishing rate (45.99%).

The star of that World Cup of Darts though, was Josh Rock and the Northern Irishman is as such, now ranked 3rd, best of the rest behind the world number one and world champion, hitting a standout 93 maximums in his last 200 legs.

During the midweek Pro Tour triple header, Stephen Bunting showed strong form and took the title at PC18. That is reflected here too, as much like the proper Order of Merit, 'The Bullet' is ranked in an impressive 4th place. As Kempf writes: "The Bullet's performances in his last 200 legs are indicative of improving form: Bunting would expect to win 4.5% more legs in future Players Championship events even though his averages have increased by just two-thirds of a point, and his total of 180s has put him in the top ten for the PDC, just two behind Littler."

Whilst Bunting might be 4th in the Form Guide and 4th in the world rankings, that doesn't mean there aren't notable areas to work on for the former Lakeside champion though. "Bunting has won another title with mediocre finishing - just four 100+ checkouts and a 51st-highest doubles percentage," explains Kempf. "If he can manage to rectify this, he will have the best chance of taking on one or more of the Lukes in Blackpool."

Completing the top 5 of the Form Guide, is Gary Anderson. The legendary Scot is averaging 98.37, with 71 three treble visits, 9 100+ checkouts and a finishing percentage of 40.48%, enough to put Anderson above the likes of Gerwyn Price, Ross Smith, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Mike de Decker and Dave Chisnall.

Despite a title in midweek however, one man notably missing from the Top-10 of the Form Guide is James Wade. Clearly though, things are starting to pick up for the multiple-time major winner. "Of the remaining players who have held a Tour Card uninterrupted from 2011 to present, only Gary Anderson surpasses him on his most recent form," says Kempf.

"Wade is winning seven out of eight legs in 18 darts or fewer, a figure nearly on par with that of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries and ahead of every other player in the PDC," the statistician adds. "This routine talent of cleaning up nearly every leg within six visits has contributed to the longevity of his 20+ year career, and continues to make him a title threat in any year."