Premier League Darts night 16 preview and betting tips
Despite the play-off places already being decided, there is still one more night of league phase action before the prestigious finals night at the O2 next week.
Sports News Blitz’s Charlie Fawcett previews all of the action ahead of closing night in Sheffield.
Preview
Although a dead rubber on paper, we will still be watching a group of professionals on Thursday night who will all be aiming to do the business and earn the £10,000 prize on offer for a nightly win.
The fixtures for this final week are played in reverse league order, meaning that 1st will play 8th, 2nd will play 7th, and so on.
This means that, in terms of predictions, the higher ranked players are far more likely to progress compared to the others. However, that does not change the fact that we could still be in for an entertaining evening.
The night begins with Jonny Clayton taking on Stephen Bunting, with the latter looking to restore some pride after what has been another disappointing Premier League campaign for The Bullet.
We then see Gerwyn Price face world finalist Gian Van Veen.
This match does carry genuine jeopardy, as Luke Humphries and Price are level on 24 points in 3rd and 4th place respectively.
Both players will be looking to outdo one another, as the player who finishes 4th will face Luke Littler in the semi-finals at the O2.
The world No. 1 begins his night in South Yorkshire against cellar dweller Josh Rock.
The Northern Irishman will likely be hoping to regain some major form as he prepares to defend the World Cup of Darts title alongside Daryl Gurney for Northern Ireland next month.
To bring down the curtain on quarter-final action in the 2026 Premier League league phase, two icons of the sport face off as Luke Humphries takes on an already eliminated Michael van Gerwen.
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Tips
This week’s outright play feels straightforward. Luke Littler will be eager to regain the Premier League title next week after losing it to Luke Humphries last year, and I think he heads into finals night in excellent form.
For me, it simply has to be Luke Littler to make it seven nightly wins from 16 events, which would be an extraordinary achievement.
Night 16 outright winner: Luke Littler - 11/8
As for a quarter-final four-fold, I have selected the following:
Luke Littler vs Josh Rock: Over 6.5 180s
We are watching two of the biggest 180 hitters on tour go head-to-head in a match with very little pressure attached.
I strongly suspect we are in for a 180-fest, and with limited value in the match result markets, this feels like a smart route in.
Luke Humphries vs Michael van Gerwen: Over 9.5 legs
I struggle to see a scenario where this match does not go the distance, or at least very close to it.
These are two players who are rarely comprehensively beaten, and I expect a fiercely competitive contest throughout. However, I am not confident enough to call a winner.
Jonny Clayton vs Stephen Bunting: Match result - Bunting
I am not sure if I am almost willing this result to happen.
After another poor Premier League campaign, it feels like Stephen Bunting may simply want this victory more and could find something extra to get over the line.
It is worth noting that both players come into the match off the back of 6-0 defeats and will each feel they have something to prove.
Gerwyn Price vs Gian Van Veen: Most 180s - Price
It feels like every time I have watched Gerwyn Price during this Premier League campaign, he has been a 180 machine, and I expect him to finish the league phase in style on Thursday evening.
The Iceman has hit more 180s than Luke Littler on several occasions during this campaign, and I would not be surprised to see a similar performance here.
At slightly under evens, it represents strong value in this contest as well.
Acca price - 16.19/1
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