Bunting ready for Liverpool homecoming to keep his playoff hopes alive – Night 12 Preview

When Stephen Bunting makes his eagerly awaited comeback to Liverpool on Thursday night in the BetMGM Premier League, he hopes to build on his recent success.

With his beloved Liverpool Football Club on the verge of Premier League victory, Bunting will be the main attraction at the M&S Bank Arena on Thursday. It may be an unforgettable few days on Merseyside.

After winning Night Nine in Berlin, the 40-year-old advanced to the final in Rotterdam last week, scoring eight points in the remaining three weeks of play.

With five league nights left, Bunting is seven points below the top four, but they still hope to pull off a spectacular comeback and earn a spot in the Play-Offs.

“It is definitely still attainable, I’m not out of it,” insisted Bunting, who will take on Rob Cross in his quarter-final clash in Liverpool.

“I honestly believe I am one of the best players in the world at the minute.

“I’m really happy with where my game is. I just need to keep knuckling down and working hard, and I believe the results will come.

“Playing in Liverpool, it’s going to be an incredible night. I’m really looking forward to the walk-on and being on that stage, orchestrating the crowd.

“I’m sure I’ll have goosebumps when I arrive at the venue, but I’ve taken all the pressure off myself, so I just want to have a really good night.”

Van Gerwen and Littler will rekindle their rivalry for a spot in the Night 12 semi-finals while Bunting gets ready to take centre stage on Merseyside.

On the opening night of the competition in Belfast, Van Gerwen defeated Littler in a thrilling match in the round of eight, despite Littler’s 113 average. Since then, the teenager has won their previous three encounters.

Littler has a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League going into their trip to Liverpool after landing a nine-darter in their most recent match, which took place in Cardiff during their Night Seven final.

Van Gerwen, however, got back to winning ways on Monday with an impressive triumph in the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich, which he believes will serve as the impetus for his Play-Off campaign.

“We all know I’m in a tough position in the Premier League,” conceded Van Gerwen, who finds himself outside the Play-Off positions on legs difference.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I never give up. I always keep battling. I always keep fighting, and that’s what you need to do.

“In the last few weeks I’ve been playing poorly. I’ve been battling myself, but I know I have it in me to perform.

“Winning in Munich meant the world to me, and that win will probably give me the confidence I needed.”

Van Gerwen is tied for fourth position with Gerwyn Price, who takes on a reinvigorated Chris Dobey in an attempt to win three straight nights this season.

Dobey registered a hat-trick of ton-plus averages on his way to triumph in Rotterdam, defeating Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall and Bunting to move to within three points of the Play-Off spots.

“I’m a fighter. I’ve worked hard to get myself back amongst the elite, and I’m here to win,” declared the Bedlington star.

“I firmly believe I can beat anybody, and if I can get another nightly win, I will put myself right back in the mix.

“I showed what I’m capable of in Rotterdam, and I think with the way I performed there, I’ve got a good chance of making the top four.”

Aspinall, who rose to third place in the standings after his run to the semi-finals in Rotterdam, will face Humphries in the other quarterfinal matchup of the evening.

The world number one still has a six-point lead in second place after making it to five weekly finals this season, but Aspinall also overcame Humphries in Manchester’s Night Ten showpiece.

Bunting ready for Liverpool homecoming to keep his playoff hopes alive 

2025 BetMGM Premier League Night 12

Thursday April 24

M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Quarter-Finals

Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler

Rob Cross v Stephen Bunting

Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey

Semi-Finals

Humphries/Aspinall v Van Gerwen/Littler

Cross/Bunting v Price/Dobey

Final

v

All matches best of 11 legs