This year’s Premier League Darts accelerates into its decisive back straight, returning to English soil with the North-West powerhouse of Manchester playing host to another enthralling darts chapter.
For Luke Littler, this represents something of a homecoming. The reigning World Champion resides in Warrington, geographically nestled between Liverpool and Manchester, both within convenient proximity. However, with The Nuke’s football allegiance firmly aligned to Manchester United, one suspects a far more rapturous reception awaits him in this particular arena.
The headline encounter sees a repeat of the recent Ally Pally final, as Littler faces fellow prodigious talent Gian van Veen. Since the beginning of 2025, the Dutchman has claimed a handful of victories over the teenage sensation, yet recent history tilts heavily in Littler’s favour, with four wins from their last five meetings.
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Last Thursday in Germany, Van Veen appeared somewhat inhibited, still feeling the residual effects of recent surgery, and was comfortably dispatched by Gerwyn Price. With a full week of recuperation and the strategic decision to bypass the Leicester double-header, he will hope to return reinvigorated and far more competitive.
As the curtain-raiser, Michael van Gerwen takes on the ever-popular Stephen Bunting. Their only meeting in this year’s campaign came on opening night in Newcastle, where the Dutchman asserted his authority en route to the nightly title. For Bunting, whose aspirations of reaching the O2 remain delicately poised, the time to ignite a decisive surge is now – though, as a proud Liverpudlian, Manchester may not provide the most hospitable of environments.
When Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price collide, the result is almost invariably a contest of exceptional quality and fine margins. Since the start of last year, the Welshman narrowly edges their head-to-head 7-6, while in this season’s Premier League meetings they are locked at one apiece. Predicting a winner borders on futility, though one might reasonably anticipate both players operating at a three-figure average in what promises to be a scintillating encounter.
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The final quarter-final delivers an immediate rematch between Josh Rock and Jonny Clayton. Aside from his memorable nine-darter on home soil, Rock’s most significant breakthrough came last week in Berlin, where he finally secured his first points of the campaign by defeating Clayton. For The Ferret, only a dramatic and unlikely collapse would now prevent a play-off berth, but he will be eager to consolidate his position swiftly – and avenge that recent defeat.
At the summit of the table, Littler currently leads the standings and, alongside Clayton, appears almost assured of a place in the play-offs. It is within the congested midfield where intrigue intensifies. If two positions are already edging towards confirmation, only two coveted spots remain. Rock, currently facing an 11-point deficit, has the steepest ascent ahead. Yet with eight weeks still to play, and given darts’ inherent unpredictability, the narrative remains far from concluded.
2026 PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS – NIGHT NINE
Manchester, England (2nd April)
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen vs Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price vs Luke Humphries
Gian van Veen vs Luke Littler
Jonny Clayton vs Josh Rock
——ENDS—–
Images: PDC
