The race of the O2 hots up as night 13 heads to Birmingham

Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries will rekindle their rivalry in Birmingham on Thursday as the fight for BetMGM Premier League Play-Off qualification continues.

Last Thursday, Price defeated Humphries in a thrilling match to win his third nightly of the season in Liverpool, moving him up to third place in the Premier League standings.

With four league games left before the season-ending Play-Offs, the Welshman leads Nathan Aspinall by three points in fourth place and Michael van Gerwen by three points in fifth.

“I just want to make the top four,” insisted Price, who has also celebrated nightly wins in Dublin and Nottingham this year.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m first, second, third or fourth, as long as I’m at The O2 in a few weeks. That’s my priority.

“The win in Liverpool eases the pressure on me going into this week, and when there’s no pressure on me, I’ll play some good darts!

“When I’m on my game, I am the best in the world. If I play my A-game, nobody will beat me, and I think they know that.”

Humphries, on the other hand, has participated in six evening finals this season, which is only surpassed by league leader Luke Littler. If he wins in Birmingham, he might surpass the 18-year-old.

At the Utilita Arena, Rob Cross and Michael van Gerwen will square off in a pivotal match on Night 13; the victor will either face Price or Humphries in the semi-finals.

The only players without a nightly win in this year’s roadshow are Van Gerwen and Cross, who come into the West Midlands in fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Only Littler and Humphries have defeated Van Gerwen in the quarterfinals, with the seven-time champion having won eight of them thus far.

Cross, who is trying to play in his first nighttime final of 2025 after losing all seven of his semi-final matches this season, is three points behind the Dutch superstar.

“It is probably crunch time now,” conceded Cross, who has won six of his last seven meetings against Van Gerwen.

“I need to keep performing and put points on the board, but I’m refreshed and I feel good.

“Michael will know all about the importance of the game. He’s one of the most professional players I’ve ever met.

“I don’t think previous records will mean anything tomorrow. The best man on the night will win, but it should be a great game, and hopefully I can find top gear when it matters.”

The league table’s top and bottom teams will square off in the evening’s first matchup, which pits defending champion Littler against Stephen Bunting.

Although the teenager had won their prior meetings by an overall score of 12-3, averaging 112 and 109 in the process, Bunting overcame Littler in their most recent game on Night 11.

Chris Dobey, who is anxious for a great performance to keep his Play-Off hopes alive, will face Aspinall in the other quarterfinal match on Night 13.

Despite the fact that the Stockport star had won their previous five games in a record going back to February 2023, Dobey overcame Aspinall on his route to Night 11 glory in Rotterdam.

The race of the O2 hots up as night 13 heads to Birmingham 

 

2025 BetMGM Premier League

Night 13 – Thursday May 1

Utilita Arena, Birmingham

Quarter-Finals

Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

Nathan Aspinall v Chris Dobey

Luke Humphries v Gerwyn Price

Rob Cross v Michael van Gerwen

Semi-Finals

Littler/Bunting v Aspinall/Dobey

Humphries/Price v Cross/Van Gerwen

Final

v

All matches best of 11 legs