Luke Littler predicts fireworks in chasing Premier League history in Birmingham

By Jonathan Veal, Press Association

Luke Littler has predicted fireworks as he chases Premier League history in Birmingham.

The back-to-back world champion is targeting a record seventh nightly victory on Thursday, having won the last three weeks in Liverpool, Aberdeen and Leeds to put himself five points clear at the top of the table.

He can also secure a third top-placed finish in three years if he beats second-placed Jonny Clayton in the quarter-final in the Second City.

“I’ve just got to keep going,” said Littler, who has recovered from a slow start to this year’s campaign.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence and now I can go chasing my own records within the next two weeks.

“After the win against Jonny last week, I knew I was a few points clear. I’ve just got to keep top spot now.

“I think it will be a very good game against Jonny. He will be wanting the win, I’ll be wanting the win, so expect fireworks.”

Clayton is also guaranteed to be joining Littler at the O2 for the play-offs on May 28th, but the remaining two spots are still up for grabs.

Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries are in contention with two weeks of action to go.

Price withdrew from last week’s event in Leeds and faces Michael van Gerwen in a crunch quarter-final tie.

The Dutchman is in form – having won a midweek Players Championship event in Leicester – and heads to Birmingham in bullish mood.

“I believe in my own ability and I think I’m playing some good darts,” he said.

“For me, it was important after a long time that I managed to win a ProTour. It meant a lot.

“I love what I do and especially when I play like this, I love it even more.”

A run to last week’s final puts Humphries in a good position and he opens against Stephen Bunting, whose hopes of qualifying are hanging by a thread.

Gian van Veen takes on Josh Rock in the other quarter-final, with the Northern Irishman already eliminated.