As the BetMGM Premier League darts action heats up, all eyes are on Newcastle's Utilita Arena for Night Eight, where local hero Chris Dobey is set to make his mark. After a thrilling few weeks for the city, culminating in Newcastle United's victory in the Carabao Cup, Dobey aims to channel that winning spirit as he faces world number one Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals.
Dobey, who recently broke a six-match losing streak with a victory over Stephen Bunting in Cardiff, is excited to perform in front of his home crowd. "It’s good to be home and it’s a big night ahead of me – but I’m excited," he said. The Bedlington star was present at Wembley to witness Newcastle United end a 70-year trophy drought with a 2-1 win over Liverpool, and he hopes to replicate that success on the dartboard.
Humphries, however, poses a significant challenge. The reigning champion has won both of their previous encounters in this year’s Premier League but has faced his own struggles, suffering three consecutive quarter-final exits. Despite this, Dobey believes that a homecoming is the perfect opportunity to turn the tide. "There’s no better place to change things than a homecoming, and I believe my game is there or thereabouts," he added.
The night will kick off with reigning champion Luke Littler taking on Bunting. Littler is riding high after a spectacular performance in Cardiff, where he secured his third nightly win of the season, achieving a nine-dart finish and averaging 112 against Michael van Gerwen. With 21 points already, Littler is six points clear at the top of the table and is eyeing the record points tally of 40 for the league campaign. "I just want to get to The O2 as quickly as possible, and I have put myself in a really good position," he said.
Meanwhile, van Gerwen will clash with Nathan Aspinall, who is coming off a victorious weekend where he captured his first European Tour title in Gottingen. Aspinall, who has battled through injuries and dartitis, expressed his determination to build on his recent success. "That was a big win for me. It was what I needed," he said. "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."
In another exciting matchup, Rob Cross will face Gerwyn Price in a repeat of their quarter-final duel from Cardiff. Cross stunned Price with a spectacular 170 checkout in their last meeting, but Price still holds a two-point lead in the standings after his nightly wins in Dublin and Nottingham.
The Premier League format sees eight of the sport's biggest names compete across 16 mini-events, with ranking points awarded per night. The top four players at the end of the season will advance to the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on May 29, 2025. As the competition intensifies, each player is eager to secure their spot and make a statement.
As the night unfolds, fans can expect an electric atmosphere with Dobey and Littler both keen to capitalize on their home advantage. The stakes are high, and with each match being a best-of-11 legs format, every dart thrown could change the course of the league.
In terms of standings, after Night Seven, Littler leads with 21 points, followed by Humphries with 15 and van Gerwen with 13. Price and Cross are close behind with 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Dobey and Bunting are struggling at the lower end of the table with 5 and 0 points.
With the night promising to be filled with drama and excitement, the darts community is buzzing with anticipation. Will Dobey be able to harness the energy of his home crowd to topple the world number one? Can Littler continue his winning streak and extend his lead? And will Aspinall's recent triumph propel him back into contention?
The action kicks off at the Utilita Arena at 7:15 PM, with the first match between Littler and Bunting. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, DAZN, and PDC's worldwide broadcast partners.
As the BetMGM Premier League progresses, every match counts, and with the competition heating up, players must stay sharp and focused. The excitement and tension are palpable, and the outcome remains uncertain as the night unfolds.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable night of darts, filled with high stakes, fierce rivalries, and the chance for players to secure their legacy in this prestigious league.
