"They are all so, so capable" - Wayne Mardle can't pick a favourite for Premier League Darts playoffs

With the 16 weeks of the weekly league phase completed in the 2024 Premier League Darts campaign, we now know the four men who will compete on finals night next Thursday for the coveted Premier League Darts title.

In the playoffs, table topper Luke Littler takes on last Thursday night's winner Michael Smith and reigning world champion Luke Humphries meets defending Premier League Darts champion Michael van Gerwen. "It's a ridiculous four and it's a four where any winner is possible," assesses Wayne Mardle, himself a former Premier League Darts participant and now a Sky Sports analyst. "Any outcome is possible. It wouldn't be a surprise to see anyone eliminated by anyone else. They are all so, so capable."

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Luke Littler and Luke Humphries finished in the top two of the table, both in their debut year. "Luke Humphries has been the man. Luke Littler wasn't ready. Clearly he wasn't ready!" Mardle laughs, poking fun at those who criticised the choice to invite the 17-year-old to this year's lineup following his arrival on the darting scene with 'the Nuke's run to the World Darts Championship final, earlier in the year. "He's settled so easily and when he's showing off like with the tops-tops-tops finish, he is a real showman."

All that remains is Michael van Gerwen, who finished third. "I hope he doesn't mind me saying this but he hasn't played well in the Premier League. But, he's still won four nights!" Mardle assesses. "And we said it last year, he finds a way into the playoffs and then he runs riot. That may happen again."

Last year, van Gerwen secured overall victory on finals night, taking the title thanks to victories over Michael Smith (10-8) in the semi-finals and Gerwyn Price (11-5) in the final, averaging over 105 in the process.

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