The second half of the 2024 Premier League Darts is about to begin. The touring darts circus continues Thursday night in Belfast, where the ninth night of play will be completed.
The evening in the Northern Ireland capital kicks off with a repeat of the World Championship final. Frontrunner Luke Humphries takes on teenage sensation Luke Littler. It's up to 'The Nuke' to put an end to Humphries' unbeaten run, having won three weekly titles in a row. 'Cool Hand Luke' on Thursday night can become the first player ever to have won four consecutive weekly titles in the Premier League.
Michael van Gerwen will face Michael Smith in Belfast. Van Gerwen has been winless in the Premier League Darts for four weeks, losing his lead in the competition to Humphries. Opponent Smith managed to reach two finals in the past three weeks, but lost each time. However, these performances have ensured that Smith is now in fourth place.
The third match of the evening is between Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price. The latter won a Premier League match last week for the first time in five weeks. Price, however, is still penultimate in the standings, six points short of a spot among the top four. Aspinall, with thirteen points, is currently third, and with a good result in Northern Ireland can take another nice step towards the playoffs.
In the final quarterfinals, Rob Cross will take on straggler Peter Wright. Cross is just outside a spot in the top four with 11 points, while Wright is last with two points at biggest deficit. 'Snakebite' will have to start winning weekly titles quickly to still make the playoffs.
Playing schedule Premier League Darts 2024
Night Nine - SSE Arena, Belfast
Thursday, March 28
Quarterfinals
Luke Humphries v Luke Littler
Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall v Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross v Peter Wright