According to UK betting sites, either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries will be crowned world champion when the final is staged on January 3.
They dominate the ante-post betting market having mopped up most of the major televised tournaments between them this year.
The pair are the only players listed at single-figure odds in the outright betting and it is difficult to imagine one of them not being crowned champion.
Littler has been in better form than Humphries in recent weeks, although the latter’s success at the recent Players Championship highlighted his ability to grind out results.
Combined odds of 9/4 to win their respective quarters in the draw and set up a blockbuster semi-final meeting should deliver a winning return to punters.
Predicting who will progress from the other sections of the draw is no easy task given they are both stacked with hugely talented players.
Gerwyn Price has had an underwhelming year by his usual high standards but will be eager to make his mark in Quarter Three. Michael Smith and Chris Dobey should also be competitive.
Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen are the favourites to win Quarter Four, and the Scotsman is slightly preferred at odds of 9/4 to get the job done.
However, Anderson and the rest of the field will likely be playing second fiddle to the big two. At odds of 3/1, Humphries is the value bet to retain the title.
