Littler all but seals O2 qualification with fourth Premier League nightly win
Luke Littler all but joined Jonny Clayton in confirming his top-four 2026 Premier League spot by beating his top-spot rival to win the Night 12 final in Liverpool.
The Nuke returned to the winners enclosure for the first time since March having suffered some hostile receptions from crowds in recent weeks – including during a final loss to Clayton in Rotterdam which he described as the 'worst he'd ever experienced'.
And while the boos persisted for the world number one on Merseyside, he was able to overcome them to record his fourth nightly win of this year's competition thanks to resounding victories over Luke Humphries and table-topper Clayton either side of a bruising 6-5 success against Michael van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen missed a dart at double six to record a 6-4 win over Littler but once that bullet was dodged, it was plain sailing for the man from Warrington as he sealed five points that effectively confirm his participation at FInals Night next month.
Bookmakers remain confident that Littler is on track to regain his Premier League crown in 2026, with AK Bets a standout 19/20 (1-2 1/4 each way terms) on him taking the title – while he has also moved odds-on in the Betfair Exchange market following glory in Liverpool.
Clayton, who has also notched four nightly winners, is assured of his place in the O2 Arena showdown and is now a best-priced 6/1 with LiveScore Bet and BetMGM (7/1 Betfair Exchange) to sensationally recapture a title he was the surprise winner of back in 2021.
On that occasion, Clayton beat Jose De Sousa 11-5 in the final – he was a 50/1 shot to repeat that feat five years on prior to a dart being thrown this season.
Which two players will join Clayton and Littler at the O2 remains an unknown with four nights to go.
Gerwyn Price, sat in third on 19 points, is long odds-on to be one of them but didn't help his prospects on Thursday when losing his quarter-final to Gian van Veen 6-4. The Welshman should be safe as long as he picks up a couple more wins in the closing weeks, however.
Van Veen is rated a 2/1 chance with LiveScore Bet to reach Finals Night on debut but has work to do, currently sat in sixth on 12 points. Above him is the current incumbant of fourth spot, Michael van Gerwen (16 points) and reigning champion Luke Humphries (13 points).
Van Gerwen is an 8/13 chance for a top-four finish as things stand, with Humphries drifting out to 9/5 after another early exit against Littler. Such is the tight nature of the table, however, any one of those three picking up a nightly win next week would change the picture significantly.
It's starting to get towards the 'miracles required' stage for bottom pair Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock – both of whom suffered damaging quarter-final exits last night.
Bunting is now rated a 9/1 shot for a top-four finish. The Bullet is only five points away from the top four – the points awarded for a solitary nightly win – but the nature of others picking up points around him means a very strong finish will be needed to force his way into a qualification spot.
Rock, meanwhile, has undoubtedly improved in recent weeks after failing to pick up a point across the first eight nights of his debut campaign. Yet last night's quarter-final exit to Van Gerwen means he will realistically have to win two of the final four nights to complete the unlikeliest of comebacks – something LiveScore Bet rate as an 18/1 poke.
On a side note, Littler and Clayton's battle for top spot looks set to go down to the wire. The youngster is a best-priced 4/7 chance with the likes of Bet365, Ladbrokes and Coral, while the Ferret is now 7/4 biggest with Star Sports.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt's p/l
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Year 2026
The BetMGM Premier League standings after Night 12, as Luke Littler all but cements his spot at the O2 ☢️
