Premier League Darts Tips Night 9 Manchester: Back Littler to reach the final

After a tepid start, Luke Littler has really started to turn it on in this year's Premier League. After winning three of the last four nights, he's top of the table with a running average in excess of 102 and 1/21.50 to reach the final for the second time in three years. It's a price I'm prepared to take.

Last week, Jonny Clayton became the first player to lose in this tournament to Josh Rock, his second successive quarter-final defeat seeing Clayton drop to second in the table. The Welshman is 4/61.67 to bounce back and beat the Northern Irishman tonight.

Littler loving life in the Prem

Luke Littler is now in full flow and doing typical Luke Littler things. Winning in Berlin with his second 170 finish of the final.

Across all matches played in this tournament, he has a win percentage of 70 and has an overall average of 101 from 92 games. Remarkable consistency on the whole. He's yet to compete in a floor event in 2026, conserving energy and showing where his priorities lie at the moment.

In terms of facing Gian van Veen, there are still question marks over how close to 100% the Dutchman will be on night nine, having missed a week due to kidney stones and significantly underperformed on his return.

For that reason and how frequently he leaves and reels in the big fish, I'm backing Littler to win match, hit most 180s & highest checkout at 13/82.63. 

Rematch between Rock and Clayton

Last week Josh Rock finally recorded the first win of his debut Premier League campaign, the relief on his face signifying how much the situation had been affecting him. Not only was he tasting defeat week after week but the standard of his performances also left a lot to be desired.

Even though he'll be relieved to get off the mark, he won't take any joy from the way he played, scraping over the line with an average below 90.

It was another lacklustre performance in the semi-final too as he failed to build on his maiden victory.

Despite back-to-back defeats in this event, I think the Welsh number one will return to winning ways here and at 5/42.25, I like the look of Jonny Clayton winning the match and throwing 3+ 180s. 

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