Michael van Gerwen knows Luke Littler has the momentum.

Littlrer closes in on another break to win the match but with three darts at double eight, Van Gerwen knew he had to finish to stay in it.

At the third time of asking, Van Gerwen squeezes the dart in, but almost looks embarrassed, knowing Littler has control.

Image source, PA Media

A dip in the seventh leg from Littler is pounced on as Van Gerwen hits a first maximum of the night to leave a 105 checkout.

The Dutchman gets the first two darts spot on, but falls short on tops.

Littler pounces back, going treble 19, 13, tops to check out 110 to go within one leg of victory.

A huge roar after that one!

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

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An easy break of throw, Littler will be throwing for 5-2, and this is where Michael van Gerwen needs some magic.

In fact, he was a similar situation against Michael Smith in his quarter-final and reeled off four straight legs.

Two very low-scoring visits midway through the leg from Mighty Mike give Littler the chance to check out 132 to break throw.

He misses on double 16, but just like the fifth leg, returns and takes it out with aplomb to make it 4-2 and seal a first break of throw in this match.

Littler makes his throw advantage count and fires a first maximum from either player in this match to gain a hold of the leg.

He misses out on a 109 checkout but leaves himself with double 16 needed to win the fifth leg.

The Nuke finishes first time for a 13-darter.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

An 87 finish for a 17-dart leg. The scoring isn't there like it was for both players in their first games.

Another level leg on Van Gerwen's throw leaves him with 167 to finish, but Littler on 176 gives Van Gerwen six darts to do so.

On his second visit before Littler gets a chance to checkout, he takes out 87, firing into double 18 with dart two to make it 2-2.

The talented teenager holds off Van Gerwen and goes back in front on his throw.

A 64 checkout consisting of an eight, 16 then tops puts Littler back ahead.

These two are neck and neck in the second leg and go close to ton-plus finishes.

A narrow miss for Van Gerwen off 127 leaves him with tops.

Littler is unable to take out 132 and Van Gerwen takes out 40 at the first time of asking. 1-1.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

A sloppy start from MVG. You don't want to give Littler any help at all.

A strong start from Luke Littler as he leaves himself tops after 12 darts.

Off the same number, Van Gerwen is not on a finish.

Littler gets three darts at tops, does not take them and at his next visit, needs the third of three darts to take out double five to strike first.

Tough to argue with Josh Rock on this semi-final. The winner of this match between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen will certainly be fancying their chances going into the final.

Nathan Aspinall has been in good form recently, but did not look at his best in victory over Gerwyn Price, while Peter Wright will only be in his second semi-final in nine weeks.

These two played out the most incredible quarter-final in Nottingham a fortnight ago, with Littler winning in a game where both averaged over 110.

Littler to throw first, game on!

Northern Ireland's world number 21 Josh Rock, speaking to Sky Sports: "I wish I was here [playing], I have to work hard for that, but it's been a very strong standard [in this year's Premier League].

"This is the only stage I've not played on, I'll do my hardest to get to the Premier League. It would mean the world to walk out here in Belfast."

On Thursday's action: "Luke Littler played fantastic [to beat Luke Humphries] and showed how much it meant to him. It's going to be a great semi-final against Van Gerwen. Whoever wins that will win the night."

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The two semi-finals - and the final that follows - are the best of 11 legs:

• Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen
• Nathan Aspinall v Peter Wright

The beauty of this Premier League format is that there is never too long to wait between matches.

We will be getting tonight's semi-finals under way shortly in Belfast.

Before we do, let's have a look at what the semi-finals have in store...

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• Luke Humphries 5-6 Luke Littler
• Michael Smith 4-6 Michael van Gerwen
• Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Gerwyn Price
• Rob Cross 3-6 Peter Wright

It is much better from Peter Wright and he thoroughly deserved the win and the guaranteed two points for the evening.

Wright ended with an average of 93.75, making it the lowest winning average from any player since night six, but Rob Cross will be very disappointed with his match average of 86.29.

Ultimately, doubles were a big factor. Wright ended with a 42.9% checkout rate. Meanwhile, Cross only took out checkouts at a rate of 25%.

An important win for Wright, who will want to make the most of advancing out of the quarter-finals for only the second time this year.

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Cross starts the ninth leg strong and finds himself with a healthy lead over Snakebite.

Wright hits back with a maximum but with six darts to finish on 161, Wright's first three end in just 46, with Cross replying with a 136.

Wright almost checks out 115, but lands his third dart just under double 18.

Cross gets a go at 71, but his one dart at tops is miles over the top wire.

Wright takes out double nine to win 6-3 and set up a semi-final with Nathan Aspinall.

It is only Wright's second win this year in the Premier League!

For any chance of victory, Cross would have to win four straight legs to avoid defeat to bottom-of-the-pile Wright.

With Cross 155 ahead on 124, Cross has been clever and teed himself up for three darts at double 16, knowing Wright cannot reply.

It takes Cross two darts but this time, Voltage gets the job done. That's the first one he needed.

Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports

Is this the night when Wright's luck takes a turn? He got away with one and Rob Cross will be seething.