World darts champion Luke Humphries reckons either himself or Luke Littler will win the prestigious tournament next week at Alexandra Palace. Teenage sensation Littler came through a gruelling battle with Ryan Meikle earlier this week and became visibly emotional after that victory in his post-match interview.

When the coverage returned to Alexandra Palace, the 17-year-old was seen being consoled by his parents while he admitted that the emotion of the victory had become too much to deal with. The Warrington star admitted he was nervous when he entered the stage, but his biggest rival Humphries believes the teenager will only get better.

Last January, Littler was beaten by Humphries in the final and the reigning champion says that either himself or his namesake will be walking away with the crown this time around, too. "A Luke will win it [the title] and I think it will be me," a confident Humphries told Sky Sports.

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"I would be silly not to. I do believe I can win again.

"It will be tough, but I know I have the capability to win it and I think every player will believe that. I know that I have a tough run and it will be hard, but you have to believe in yourself."

Discussing who he believes is his main challenger this year, Humphries knows he will need to up his game in the future to avoid being passed by Littler. "He [Littler] has got such a high level that, for me, if I just accept the level I'm at now, he will probably go on and get a little bit better over his career," the world champion concluded.

"If I don't get a little bit better in my career then I won't be able to match him. If he wasn't around, then I feel like I would sort of be happy with how I am.

"But now I know he's going at a higher level. I know that I've got to go to a higher level, that drives me forward.

"That makes me want to be better and stronger as a player." Humphries returns to action on Friday when he faces Nick Kenny, while Littler plays a day later against the unseeded Ian White.