A confident Luke Littler made matters worse for Michael van Gerwen after claiming that he now has the edge over his Premier League Darts rival. The Dutchman returned to form by reaching the final in Birmingham, only to be defeated 6-4 by Littler in a repeat of the World Championship final.

The 18-year-old sealed his place at the season-ending play-offs at The O2 on May 29 in the process, winning a record fifth night. No player had won more than four nights since the 16-week league phase was introduced in 2022. Littler already claimed that he will enjoy watching his rivals battle it out for the top four while he cruises at the top of the table, before insisting that he now has Van Gerwen’s number and would relish playing the seven-time Premier League champion again.

“I think for myself, once you get so many wins over somebody, I think you beat them near enough every time,” Littler said in his post-match press conference. “Obviously he gave me a really good game then but I have beaten him once again.

“Obviously it feels amazing setting records in the Premier League but it’s only my second year. It’s a good thing to be clear at the top of the table and heading to The O2, just making sure you are top to get that first semi-final in.”

Littler tops the table with 35 points, nine clear of second-placed Luke Humphries. Gerwyn Price currently sits third and Van Gerwen moved up to the final play-off spot with his run to the final in Birmingham.

“Once I got over the finish line in my first game against Stephen (Bunting), I was confident,” Littler added to Sky Sports. “I got away with it against Nathan (Aspinall in the semi-final), but then it (the final) was a cracking game.

“I have enjoyed it right the way through, and I’ll certainly relax. Luke (Humphries) isn’t playing his best darts at the minute so I’m gradually building that point advantage over his so I am very confident I will finish top of the table.”

Van Gerwen was chasing his first nightly win of the campaign in the Midlands and broke Littler in the opening leg. He opened up a 3-1 lead, but the teenager stormed back to move 4-3 in front and didn’t look back with a 102.5 match average.

The Premier League next heads to Leeds, Humphries’ home venue, and after a trip to Yorkshire there are just two more nights before heading to the play-offs in London at the end of the month.