2024 BetMGM Premier League Darts: Night 12 Preview

After a difficult run of form, Michael Van Gerwen ended a six-week long drought of Nightly wins to add an important 5 points to his tally to stay in the hunt for the O2 race.

He will have a big opportunity to replicate last weeks success to delight the home crowd as the Premier League goes back to the iconic Rotterdam Ahoy, where he takes on world number one Luke Humphries.

Despite saying his game in the final against Luke Littler last week was “a crap game”, he will be hoping to improve on his averages due to him winning the final with only a 90 average.

Humphries however, has seen his form drop since his three Nightly wins in a row streak. The reigning world champion lost two quarter-finals and his one victory last week has helped him maintain his second spot.

Humphries himself is enjoying a debut campaign, where he is placed just 2 points behind Littler and is the only player still averaging over 100 all tournament.

The opening game sees Littler take on Michael Smith in a much anticipated clash. Smith in particular is in a heated battle with Nathan Aspinall for that last play-off spot currently, with 1 point separated between them.

However it is a tough ask to defeat the most inform player as the 17-year-old sensation has made it to the final in each of last three Nights weeks and picking up two victories.

Littler’s standard last week resulted in averages of 97.92 and 107.23, sealing wins over Rob Cross and Luke Humphries respectively, before a surprising sharp decrease of 88.12 in the final.

Smith’s only victory this Premier League was on opening night, to his credit he reached two further finals which has allowed him to get back into contention.

Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price’s encounter in Rotterdam signifies a lot to ones play-offs chances. A downturn in Cross’ form the last five weeks where hasn’t added a single point to his tally has resulted in Price to be only one point behind him.

The gap to those in-front could make a finals night appearance out of reach for the losing player of this match-up, but with Price in better form these last few weeks, Cross needs to step up his game.

Both players, along with Peter Wright behind them, have yet to earn a Nightly win therefore a win today could provide both the confidence needed to get the maximum 5 points on the board.

Wright meets Aspinall and while Wright’s difficulties this term has put him far away of making it to the O2, Aspinall still has a tough challenge.

Only two weeks ago Wright put on one of the best performances in this years tournament, averaging shy of 110, but was unable to earn any points as he lost to Price 6-4.

Despite Aspinall’s defeat last week to the Dutchman Van Gerwen in their quarter-final matchup, Aspinall’s crucial consistency has put him within a shot of going all the way.

Quarter-Final Draw

Michael Smith vs Luke Littler

Rob Cross vs Gerwyn Price

Peter Wright vs Nathan Aspinall

Michael Van Gerwen vs Luke Humphries