Littler into semi-finals after Van Gerwen withdrawal

World champion Luke Littler is through to the semi-finals of the Premier League event in Glasgow on Thursday following the withdrawal of Michael van Gerwen.

The Dutchman was supposed to face Littler in the quarter-finals but has pulled out of the third of 16 events in the Premier League season because of a “medical issue”.

Van Gerwen has been in good form for the previous two nights of the competition, having won the first and finishing runner-up at the second to go top of the table.

He beat Littler on the way to the final in Antwerp last week when he was beaten by Gerwyn Price.

His withdrawal means Littler will get two points in the standings and the world champion’s leg difference will improve by one.

Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.

Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures done off the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.

Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.

The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London’s O2 Arena on 23 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.

Thursday, 19 February – OVO Hydro, Glasgow

Quarter-finals

Stephen Bunting v Gian van Veen

Luke Humphries v Josh Rock

Michael van Gerwen (withdraws) v Luke Littler (Bye)

Jonny Clayton v Gerwyn Price

Semi-finals

Bunting/Van Veen v Humphries/Rock

Littler v Clayton/Price

Final

Bunting/Van Veen/Humphries/Rock v Littler/Clayton/Price