LUKE LITTLER will take top billing on ‘blockbuster Matchplay Monday’.
The 17-year-old faces Michael van Gerwen in the biggest showdown on the first round at the Winter Gardens on a huge night of darts.
On the same evening, Gary Anderson and his protege Michael Smith will also go head-to-head.
Defending champion Nathan Aspinall takes on Luke Woodhouse on the opening night July 14 while World Champion Luke Humphries has drawn Ricardo Pietreczko, who he beat on the way to the world title at the Ally Pally.
Aspinall said: “I’m glad I avoided Luke, definitely.
“I could have drawn Gary (Anderson) or Luke. It’s not Littler who I thought I was going to get!
“Some brutal draws though. Oh my God MVG v Luke.
‘”For me, Gary v Mike’s probably a better one. The history them two have got.”
Aspinall beat Jonny Clayton to win the title a year ago and wants to defy a painful arm injury to defend it.
He added: “I think the reason the players love the event so much, it’s so iconic with what Phil [Taylor] achieved there.
“It’s the die-hard darts fans who turn up. There’s no messing around, you are given the best of order.
“They love my Mr Brightside.
“The walk-on at Blackpool is one of the best moments of my life. It’s just a special venue.
“It’s going to be tough to defend it. There’s a few issues. I’m not 100 per cent fit.
“I wouldn’t play in it if I didn’t think I could win it. I believe I can win back-to-back.
“It’s going to be tougher than last year because of the situation I am in.”
