After 16 back-to-back weeks of relentless Premier League action, it all boils down to the O2 playoffs this Thursday night in London.
Four of the eight arrowsmiths have made it to the capital in what has developed into a Luke and Michael tag-team competition.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen are the four men going for gold — and the £275,000 winners prize — this Thursday.
Let’s take a look at the best betting in London for the playoffs.
Luke Littler -2.5 handicap vs Michael Smith
It’s fair to say that Michael Smith has had Luke Littler’s number this campaign.
Smith leads the 17-year-old 5-2 in their seven meetings this Premier League season, culminating in a 6-5 semi-final win last week which led “Bully Boy” to his second Night win of the campaign.
But Littler’s standing at the top of the league speaks volumes of the form he has found in 2024.
The youngster has won 23 of his 35 matches and looks capable of finding that extra 5% when the chips are down.
We’re expecting this to be the case again on Thursday in a race to 10, with a -2.5 handicap still seeing the “Nuke” into the final.
Luke Humphries to beat Michael van Gerwen 10-9
Michael van Gerwen has won seven of the 11 Premier Leagues he has taken part in, finishing runner-up in another two, so backing “Mighty Mike” to fall in the semi-finals this Thursday feels like a big call.
But such is the form of world champion and world number one Luke Humphries that it wouldn’t be a shock at all if MVG was to fall at this second-to-last hurdle.
Humphries has beaten MVG an incredible six matches on the spin, and despite the longer format in the playoff semi-finals we are expecting seventh heaven for “Cool Hand”.
Expect van Gerwen to dig his heels in, however. 10-9 in a bit of a punt, but it’s the kind of match that could easily ebb and flow.
Luke Littler to win the 2024 Premier League Darts
When all is said and done we expect Littler to have his hand raised on Thursday night, seeing him scoop his first of the “Triple Crown” PDC events.
Littler has been the most consistent player over the past three months of action and would be fully deserving of the Premier League title.
His rivarly with Luke Humphries is fast-becoming a must-watch event, so expect these to make more memories in the finale.
Top Darts Betting Offers & Free Bets
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