Premier League Darts - Night 12 Predictions
The Premier League heads to Liverpool for Night 12 where Luke Littler will be hoping to defy the crowd again, just as he did 12 months ago.
Manchester United fan Littler was given the bird by a sellout crowd at the M&S Bank Arena last year, but had the last laugh by going on to land the nightly glory and he is 6/4 to repeat the feat on Thursday.
Luke Humphries vs Nathan Aspinall
Luke Humphries, second in the table and Nathan Aspinall, who is third, kickstart Night 12 with the first quarter-final.
The Asp beat Humphries to win the final in Manchester two weeks ago, avenging a loss at the hands of Cool Hand a fortnight earlier.
Given the form the Asp is showing in this tournament recently, coupled with his victory at the European Darts Trophy, the outsider looks like the value.
Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Littler
Littler has won his last three Premier League shoot-outs with Michael van Gerwen and he is taken to make it four in a row in Liverpool.
The crowd will, because of The Nuke's Man Utd persuasion, be on Mighty Mike's side, but that didn't bother Littler last year.
The world champion is top of the field and still hitting scores and averages that leave the rest in his wake, including MvG whose season is proving every bit as patchy as 2024 was, although a triumph at the German Darts Grand Prix was a major positive.
Because Littler is playing so well his opponents averages tend to stay high and Van Gerwen to go over 97.5 looks positive.
Michael van Gerwen Over 97.5 Average @ 8/11
Rob Cross vs Stephen Bunting
Stephen Bunting has picked up eight points in the past three weeks to at least give himself a shot of making the top four and he's worth trusting to pick up more points in Liverpool.
The Bullet will have the crowd on his side, and that will help him in his opener against Rob Cross.
Cross is the only player in the field yet to reach a final and has suffered first-hurdle falls in the last three weeks.
His averages have generally been solid but he can't buy a win and that's a feeling Bunting knows all too well, having had to wait nine weeks for his first points.
Stephen Bunting to win @ 10/13
Gerwyn Price vs Chris Dobey
Gerwyn Price beat Chris Dobey 12 times in a row prior to the last World Championship, a level of dominance that Gezzy can use when they meet again.
In this year's Premier League, it's 1-1 in matches, and Dobey will be feeling good after last week's nightly triumph in Rotterdam, which few saw coming.
After two straight quarter-final losses, back the Welshman to show his mettle and win this last-eight tie.
To win Night 12
Littler and Humphries are still the top two going into Night 12, with The Nuke virtually in the play-offs.
Of course, they head the betting on Night 12, but they are in the same half of the draw.
In the other half, have a look at a rejuvenated Bunting, with a win and a runners-up place in the last three weeks, to come through the field in front of his home fans.
Stephen Bunting to win Night 12 @ 13/2
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation