Darts sensation Luke Littler is on a remarkable run, aiming for his fourth Premier League nightly victory in just five weeks as the tournament heads to Manchester. After a slow start, ‘The Nuke’ has surged to the top of the league standings, boasting impressive averages and a clear lead. This week promises thrilling action with key matchups, including Littler renewing his rivalry with Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen facing Stephen Bunting, and other top players battling for crucial points in the race to the Finals Night.
Luke Littler, the darts phenomenon, is setting the 2024 BetMGM Premier League Darts season ablaze. Heading into Night Nine at the AO Arena in Manchester this Thursday, April 4th, the Warrington wonderkid is poised to clinch his fourth nightly victory in just five weeks. His incredible form has seen him rocket to the top of the Premier League table, a stark contrast to his initial sluggish start.
Littler’s recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, securing nightly wins in Cardiff, Dublin, and Berlin. His triumph in Berlin last Thursday was particularly dominant, with averages of 105, 108, and 106 throughout the night.
“I’m feeling very good, better than the first few weeks,” Littler commented, reflecting on his recent surge. “Obviously I won in Cardiff and Dublin, but Berlin was definitely the best I’ve played over a night. It’s been a very interesting Premier League. Jonny [Clayton] looked like he was running away with it a few weeks ago. Now I’m at the top I want to stay there, and they can all try and catch me!”
Key Quarter-Final Clashes to Watch
Manchester is set to host a series of electrifying matchups, with every player battling for crucial ranking points.
- Luke Littler vs. Gian van Veen: This is a highly anticipated rematch of their World Championship showpiece from January. While Van Veen secured their only Premier League meeting on Night One, he has since slipped to sixth place after undergoing kidney stone surgery two weeks ago. He’ll be eager to prove himself against Littler, who currently holds a two-point lead over his closest challenger, Jonny Clayton.
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Stephen Bunting: Seven-time Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen kicks off Thursday’s action. Despite featuring in three nightly finals this season and averaging over 103 in Berlin, he was narrowly beaten by an inspired Littler last week. Van Gerwen, currently in fourth place, is keen to secure more points. He faces Stephen Bunting, who has also shown strong form with averages of 104 and 107 in his last two matches, though both ended in defeat to Littler.
- Gerwyn Price vs. Luke Humphries: Reigning Premier League champion Luke Humphries takes on third-place Gerwyn Price. Humphries, the current world number two, is surprisingly still without a nightly win at the halfway mark, despite boasting a tournament average of 100.47 – a figure only bettered by Littler. Price, meanwhile, holds a comfortable three-point cushion over Humphries.
- Jonny Clayton vs. Josh Rock: The evening’s final quarter-final pits 2021 champion Jonny Clayton against Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock. Rock emerged victorious in their last encounter in Berlin, sealing his first Premier League win and ending a seven-match losing streak. Clayton, who was once leading the table, is looking to bounce back after two consecutive quarter-final exits, but still finds himself eight points clear of Humphries in fifth spot.
The Road to Finals Night: Understanding the Points System
The Premier League Darts format awards ranking points each night, which determine the league standings. These points are crucial for players aiming to secure a spot in the prestigious Finals Night.
- Winner: 5 points
- Runner-up: 3 points
- Semi-finalists: 2 points
The top four players in the league table will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday, May 28th, where they will compete for the overall Premier League title.
Full Night Nine Fixtures: AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday, April 4th
Quarter-Finals
- Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting
- Gerwyn Price v Luke Humphries
- Gian van Veen v Luke Littler
- Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock
Semi-Finals
- Winner of Van Gerwen/Bunting v Winner of Price/Humphries
- Winner of Van Veen/Littler v Winner of Clayton/Rock
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
