Peter Wright has cast doubt on England's chances at the World Cup of Darts, despite Luke Humphries and Luke Littler being overwhelming favourites to defend the title.
The Scottish darts veteran believes the English pairing "won't click" in Frankfurt.
Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, Wright dismissed suggestions that victory for the world number one and the 2025 world champion is a foregone conclusion.
The two-time world champion, who partners Gary Anderson for third-seeded Scotland, expressed scepticism about the compatibility of England's star duo.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries 'won't click', Peter Wright has insisted
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Humphries and Littler sit far ahead of their rivals in the PDC rankings, making them the natural pairing for England.
Wright drew parallels with previous England partnerships that failed to deliver despite high expectations.
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"Look at the amount of really good England teams that have been paired up and they haven't clicked, like James Wade and Phil Taylor," he told BBC Sport Scotland.
The 55-year-old questioned whether Littler's youth experience would translate to senior pairs competition.
"I know he played as a youth for England, but whether he can do it in the seniors, I don't know," Wright said.
He suggested the pair's different approaches could prove problematic.
The Scotsman added: "They might go out and bash everybody up, but I am thinking they won't click."
Wright controversially suggested that 18-year-old Littler should have stepped aside to allow Michael Smith to defend his title alongside Humphries.
"I think Michael should have been given the chance to retain his title," Wright told BBC Sport Scotland.
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Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are the two top-ranked players in the world
PAHe cited Gary Anderson's previous gesture as an example.
"Gary stepped aside when me and John won it to give us a chance to do it again," Wright explained, referring to his 2021 victory with John Henderson.
Wright painted a picture of contrasting preparation styles between the potential partners.
"Michael is a practiser, on the board all the time, Luke Humphries is a practiser. He'll be practising his backside off and Littler will be playing his games and eating his sweets, so hopefully they won't click," he joked.
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Peter Wright has insisted he and Gary Anderson can 'surprise a few'
PAWright and Anderson arrive in Germany ranked 13th and 14th respectively, yet remain confident of causing an upset.
"I think it is down to the age thing, everyone is probably thinking 'those two old codgers can't do it again'," Wright told BBC Sport Scotland. "We might just surprise a few."
The Scottish pair boast an impressive World Cup record, having won the tournament in 2019 and finished runners-up three times. Wright also claimed victory with Henderson in 2021.
"The amount of titles that Gary has won, the amount of titles I have won, we have got the experience," Wright said. "When we get up there as a pair we always do well."
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