Luke forward

Luke Littler has admitted that his schedule is “breathtaking” but he won’t get burnout.

He said: “It’s very tough. We are coming home after whatever Premier League, waking up at stupid o’clock to go to a Euro Tour. If I win on the Friday and Saturday I can focus then on the Sunday.

“I didn’t realise how big darts was in multiple countries. I only found that out after the Worlds.

“It’s breathtaking travelling to all these places. I’ve learnt a lot over the first four or five months of the season. I now know what else is coming.

“I’ll just relax myself and then the Euro Tour. But I won’t burn myself out.”

Littler to top Premier League table

Luke Littler could cement his spot at the top of the Premier League Darts table if he wins tonight’s event in Leeds.

Van Gerwen needs a win

Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen will battle for a top-four finish, despite his haul of four nightly wins across the season.

The Dutchman will begin Thursday’s play two points above Smith in fourth spot, and a fifth nightly victory would confirm his place at London’s O2 later this month.

He averaged 108 in defeat against Cross on Night 14 and will play Gerwyn Price in today’s opening quarter-final – a repeat of the 2023 Premier League final.

Price returns to the oche after missing out on last week’s action in Aberdeen due to a trapped nerve in his back, which subsequently ended the Welshman’s slender hopes of qualification.