John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

Luke Humphries may still have his eye on first place but ultimately he's doing his job and he's doing it pretty well. He's just playing darts.

We've just heard from Nathan Aspinall on the TV and he says he played with a "minor dislocation" of his shoulder last week.

Doesn't sound great but he's back and ready to play again this week.

Image source, Getty Images

First up tonight, world number one Luke Humphries takes on Nathan Aspinall.

This was the final a couple of weeks ago in Manchester with Aspinall coming from 3-0 down to win in front of his home crowd.

A similar result would do wonders for The Asp's play-off hopes.

He's currently third but just two points ahead of Michael van Gerwen in fifth so every point will be vital over the next few weeks.

Humphries is that much more comfortable, sitting second on 23 points, but a top four spot is not confirmed just yet and he'll want to stay in the top two to make sure he avoids world champion Luke Littler in the semis at the O2 Arena next month.

Night 1, Belfast - Winner: Luke Humphries

Night 2, Glasgow - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 3, Dublin - Winner: Gerwyn Price

Night 4, Exeter - Winner: Luke Humphries

Night 5, Brighton - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 6, Nottingham - Winner: Gerwyn Price

Night 7, Cardiff - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 8, Newcastle - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 9, Berlin - Winner: Stephen Bunting

Night 10, Manchester - Winner: Nathan Aspinall

Night 11, Rotterdam - Winner: Chris Dobey

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Littler has made more than his fair share of darts history in his short career, and there is another record up for grabs tonight.

The 18-year-old has four night wins so far - no player has ever achieved five in the current format.

He, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen all won four nights in 2024, while Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith and Jonny Clayton have also achieved the feat since this format was introduced in 2022.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

The fans are up for this one tonight.

And expect a few familiar faces in the crowd.

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia is rumoured to be in the arena, along with boxer Natasha Jonas and ex-fighter Anthony Fowler.

We're 11 nights into this Premier League campaign and Luke Littler leads the way.

The world champion is seven points clear of world number one Luke Hupmhries and while those two look pretty sure to finish in the top four, the last two places at finals day in London are still up for grabs.

At least five of the other six players will feel they have a realistic chance of making it to the O2 and given Stephen Bunting's recent upturn in form, even he isn't completely out of it just yet...

For those joining us for the first time, this might be helpful...

Every Thursday, the eight players go head-to-head in a straight knockout tournament. So, each player will be entered at the quarter-final stage, before moving to the semi-finals and then a final. Obviously there's only seven players tonight, following Michael van Gerwen's withdrawal.

These matches are all played over the best of 11 legs.

Players take home points from each of these rounds. The winner of the night gets five points, the runner-up three points, and each semi-finalist wins two points.

All eight players are re-entered into the tournament for the next round on the following Thursday.

The players will meet each other once at the quarter-final stage from weeks one to seven, and then again in weeks nine to 15. The matches in weeks eight and 16 will be played based on position in the league at that point.

The four players at the top of the table by the end of night 16 qualify for the play-offs, which take place on Thursday, 29 May.

The semi-finals of the play-offs are played over 19 legs, while the winner is crowned in a final match played across the best of 21 legs.

As ever, we want to hear from you tonight. With the race for the top four looking particularly tight this year, who do you think will qualify for finals night? And who do you want me make it?

Let us know who you're backing to get the win in Liverpool or any other matters arising using the details above.

Before we go any further then, let's have a look at what we have to look forward to at the M&S Bank Arena tonight...

Quarter-finals

• Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall
• Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler
• Rob Cross v Stephen Bunting
• Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey

Semi-Finals

• Humphries/Aspinall v Van Gerwen/Littler
• Cross/Bunting v Price/Dobey

Final

• Humphries/Aspinall/Van Gerwen/Littler v Cross/Bunting/Price/Dobey

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

How did we get to night 12 already?

Bunting's homecoming, Littler eyeing record in Liverpool - looks like we have a blockbuster in store.

A big occasion, but as you get closer to the stage in the arena, you realise just how small lthe dartboard is in comparison with its surroundings.

Everything is in place. Just time for a final spruce-up before the action begins.

It might not be the last time you read that this week...

But while the city - or at least half of it - prepare for a party on Sunday, for some the celebrations could start early as the Premier League roadshow arrives in Liverpool.

Should hometown hero Stephen Bunting win tonight it could even be a double celebration.

The Bullet might want to put on a show in front of his friends and family but there are seven other players keen to do the same with the prospect of lifting a trophy at the end of May.

Strap in, folks, there's a Premier League (nightly) trophy to be won.