Dobey looking to cap magical week at Newcastle homecoming – Night 8 Preview 

Chris Dobey hopes to finish off a memorable few weeks for Newcastle when he returns home on Night Eight of the BetMGM Premier League on Thursday.

Bedlington’s Dobey will take centre stage as the darting roadshow visits the North East, ahead of what promises to be an unforgettable night at the Utilita Arena.

Dobey’s beloved Newcastle United broke their 70-year domestic trophy drought less than a month ago, upsetting league leaders Liverpool 2-1 in a thrilling Carabao Cup final.

The 2023 Masters Champion was present on that wonderful day at Wembley, and he hopes to repeat the achievement of his football counterparts when he faces world number one Luke Humphries in his quarter-final opener.

Humphries has won both of their meetings in this year’s event, although he has been eliminated in the quarterfinals by Rob Cross, Luke Littler, and Michael van Gerwen in succession.

Dobey, meanwhile, ended a six-match losing streak by defeating Stephen Bunting in Cardiff, and he is looking forward to performing in front of his loving home crowd on Thursday.

​​”It’s good to be home and its a big night ahead of me – but I’m excited,” declared hometown hero Dobey.

“Being there to witness Newcastle win a trophy at Wembley was up there with one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced, and the celebrations will be going on for weeks!

“I’m sure the crowd will be up for it tomorrow night, and the atmosphere should be something else.

“It’s always going to be tough against Luke but there’s no better place to changes things than a homecoming, and I believe my game is there or thereabouts.”

Reigning champion Littler will start the evening’s action in Newcastle, looking to increase his six-point lead at the top of the standings.

The World Champion secured his third evening win of the season in Cardiff, defeating Van Gerwen with a nine-dart finish and an average of 112.

Littler will face Bunting for a place in the semi-finals, having averaged 112 against the Liverpudlian in their previous meeting on Night Four in Exeter.

While Bunting is looking for his first points of the season, Littler is on track to break the league record of 40 points in a season, having already scored 21 in the first seven games.

“I just want to get to The O2 as quickly as possible, and I have put myself in a really good position,” admitted Littler, who boasts an incredible tournament average of 104.37.

“I said last year I didn’t care about finishing top, but as I am there now I may as well stay here!

“The nine-darter was an amazing moment last week, but then it was all about staying focused and getting over the line.

“There are still nine weeks to go and every player is capable of picking up nightly wins, but it would be great to beat the record points and break records for myself.”

Littler upset Van Gerwen on Night Seven, and the Dutch superstar will face a resurgent Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals on Tyneside.

Van Gerwen has been the model of consistency in this year’s championship, winning six of his seven quarter-finals and making it to his first primetime final of the season in Cardiff.

However, Aspinall is on a high after winning his first European Tour championship in Gottingen last weekend, and the Stockport player hopes to carry that momentum to the Premier League stage and reignite his Play-Off hopes.

“That was a big win for me. It was what I needed,” insisted the 2020 Premier League runner-up.

“Because of the situation I’ve been in over the last few years with the injuries and the dartitis, it was probably my proudest moment.

This will help me believe in myself and it shows I’m still good enough to compete against the top boys, so roll on Thursday against Michael.”

Cross and Gerwyn Price will face off in the evening’s other quarter-final, a rematch of their last meeting in Cardiff.

Cross delivered a remarkable 170 checkout in the closing leg to startle Price at home, but the Welshman now leads Cross by two points after wins in Dublin and Nottingham.

Dobey looking to cap magical week at Newcastle homecoming 

Night Eight – Thursday March 27

Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Quarter-Finals

Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross

Luke Humphries v Chris Dobey

Michael Van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall

Semi-Finals

Littler/Bunting v Price/Cross

Humphries/Dobey v Van Gerwen/Aspinall

Final

v

All matches best of 11 legs