Premier League Darts: Michael Smith books play-off place against Luke Littler

Michael Smith sealed the final place in the Premier League Darts play-offs on his way to winning the final series of the league stage in Sheffield.

The 2023 world champion secured his progress with a 6-3 win over Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals.

Smith and Aspinall, who are close friends and recently went to Las Vegas together, went into the night fifth and fourth respectively, knowing the winner of their match would go on to perform at London’s O2 Arena on May 23.

That tie was nip and tuck initially but ignited in the seventh leg when Smith checked a superb 136 to advance to the toss.

The key stage followed as a brilliant checkout of 132 helped Smith break and then closed for victory.

Smith then defeated Luke Littler and world champion Luke Humphries to win the night.

“I’m crying more than I did when I won the World Cup,” Smith told Sky Sports after his win over Aspinall.

“When that 136 came in and then the 132, I knew it was going to hurt him.

“I was going to do cartwheels and backflips and everything, but being Nathan, I had to keep calm and apologize. I feel sorry for him – I want him there as much as I do. It was hard.”

Smith will face Littler, 17, in the play-off semi-finals after the teenage Premier League debutant confirmed top spot with a 6-4 win over Peter Wright in Thursday’s first quarter-final .

An opening-round win for seven-time winner Michael van Gerwen took him third and he will face Humphries in the last four next week.

The final, which is played over 21 legs, takes place on the same evening, with the winner taking home £275,000 in prize money.

“Luke Humphries is the player to beat,” World Cup semi-finalist Wayne Mardle told Sky Sports.

“It becomes even harder to beat in the longer format. The other players are up and down, and Humphries is the only player who isn’t.

“It will come down to fine margins though. It always happens in the Premier League.”

May 23 at the O2 Arena in London

Semi-Finals (from 19:15 BST)

Luke Littler vs. Michael Smith

Luke Humphries vs Michael van Gerwen

Luke Littler 6-4 Peter Wright

Nathan Aspinall 3-6 Michael Smith

Luke Humphries 6-4 Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Rob Cross