LUKE LITTLER will gear up for a Premier League Darts revenge mission – and possible trilogy with Luke Humphries – with a pre-match Nando’s.
And after a “rollercoaster” of a campaign, in which he was booed and jeered by fickle fans over his Gian van Veen bust-up, The Nuke is eying a possible nine-darter at the O2 playoffs.
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Luke Littler is aiming for Premier League glory on Thursday night Credit: PA
Littler is out for revenge against old rival Luke Humphries who beat him in the final last year Credit: PA
The world No.1 and Humphries have contested the past two Prem finals in North Greenwich and it is 1-1 apiece in terms of victories.
Humphries, 31, is the defending champion and the pair would meet again for a record third occasion in a row if they both dispatch of Welshmen in the semi-finals, which are the best of 19 legs.
Littler’s loss 12 months ago to his biggest rival was a painful one and something he is determined to make amends for.
The two-time world champion – who faces fourth-ranked Gerwyn Price in the first semi – said: “It would be good to meet him again.
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Luke Littler has already earned £12 per dart thrown in the Premier League
“Everyone’s probably bored of me and Luke meeting in finals.
“If we both play well all the time then we’re going to meet in the final.
“How determined am I to try and get a bit of revenge for last year? I mean, definitely.
“I’m sure he’ll be focused on his semi-final, I’ll be focused on mine, and if we happen to meet then I’m sure it’ll be another great game.
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Littler has a Nando’s black card and may have one before Thursday’s final Credit: Nando’s
“It would mean everything to get this trophy back. It was my first major win. I know how to win here. If I don’t play well, I won’t be happy.
“I mean I’ll definitely be feeling the adrenaline. Obviously the first year was incredible, winning it with a nine-darter.
“There’s not been one for me this year, so hopefully I can get a nine-darter.”
To get in the mood Littler and his family will head out for a Nando’s somewhere close to the venue – and he can use his membership loyalty card.
Littler, 19, confessed: “Nathan Aspinall has already baited me out big time for having a Nando’s Black Card.
“He’s told everyone I’ve got one. So I’ll probably go for a Nando’s on Thursday.
“I’ll probably have some breakfast around dinner time. Depending on what time I wake up.
“I’ll sleep in. I will need that sleep, though. Get as much sleep as I can.”
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In this 17-week tournament he suffered terrible abuse from the crowd in Rotterdam – the “worst I’ve ever experienced” – and then punters in Brighton, Aberdeen and Leeds were not exactly charitable either.
No doubt those jeers will turn to cheers if he lifts the £350,000 trophy, which is contested over the best of 21 legs.
Littler said: “It’s been a rollercoaster and that’s what darts is all about. It’s not an easy sport.
“There’s something always going on. But yeah, I’m here at the O2 and that’s all that matters.”
Humphries – who finished in third spot in the eight-man league – will play table runner-up Jonny Clayton in semi-final two.
If he is victorious in front of 15,000 fans, he would become the third man, after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, to go back-to-back in the sport’s second biggest event.
Cool Hand Luke said: “As long as my name’s on the trophy again, I don’t really care who it’s against and how I do it.
“But, of course, I still just love playing against Luke and it’s always a great game of darts.
“It’d mean the world to me, to my family, if I regain it. I like to break records. I’d like to be a part of something that not many people have got.”
