Gerwyn Price calls facing Luke Littler ‘a blessing in disguise’, ready for Premier League Darts play-offs title tilt
Gerwyn Price, the 2021 world darts champion, has described his semi-final clash with Luke Littler at the 2025 Premier League Darts Play-Offs on May 29, 2025, at London’s O2 Arena as a “blessing in disguise,” expressing confidence in his title pursuit. Price, who secured third place in the league stage with three nightly wins in Dublin, Nottingham, and Liverpool, believes facing the defending champion and world No. 6 Littler early is a strategic advantage. The Welshman’s recent dominance over Littler—winning six of their last seven encounters, including a 6-3 Nottingham final on Night Six—fuels his optimism.
Price’s Perspective and Preparation
Price, speaking to Sky Sports’ Love The Darts podcast, said, “Playing Luke in the semis is a blessing in disguise. He’s the best right now, but I’ve got his number lately. It’s a chance to set the tone.” His confidence stems from a strong 2025 campaign, despite inconsistency, with a 104.43 average in Liverpool’s Night 12 final and a 123 bull finish in Nottingham. Price’s play-off qualification, confirmed after a Night 14 semi-final in Leeds, marks his fourth consecutive O2 appearance. He added, “I’m playing really well… there’s no reason I can’t win the whole thing,” emphasizing his relaxed mindset after securing five points in Liverpool.
Price’s head-to-head edge over Littler is notable. Since January 2025, he’s won matches with averages of 115.31 (Bahrain Masters), 102.3 (Players Championship 2), and 102.6 (Dublin Night Three). In Nottingham, despite Littler’s 103.39 average, Price’s 55% double success clinched a 6-3 victory. However, Littler’s Night 10 win in Manchester (6-3, with a nine-darter) shows the 18-year-old’s threat. Price acknowledged Littler’s potential, stating post-Nottingham, “He’s the best in the world right now… he’ll beat Phil Taylor’s record.”
Play-Offs Context and Littler’s Form
The 2025 Premier League Play-Offs feature the top four from the 16-week league stage: Littler (45 points, five nightly wins), Luke Humphries (second), Price (third), and Nathan Aspinall (fourth). Littler, the defending champion after an 11-7 win over Humphries in 2024, set a record for most points in a season and threw a 112.50 average in the final. His nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen on Night Seven and four nightly wins (Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool, Aberdeen) highlight his dominance. Yet, Price’s recent victories, including a 6-5 thriller in Glasgow, give him a psychological edge.
The semi-finals pit Littler against Price and Humphries against Aspinall, with best-of-19-leg matches leading to a best-of-21-leg final. Littler, despite a quarter-final loss to Price in Dublin, remains the favorite, having topped the table with a 167, 127, and 164 bullseye finishes in Nottingham. Price, however, thrives under pressure, as seen in his 170 finish against Humphries in Dublin, and his Players Championship 9 win over Ian White.
Broader Context and Parallels
Price’s “blessing in disguise” mindset mirrors other sports narratives. Fallon Sherrock’s friendly rivalry with Beau Greaves, where mutual respect drives performance, parallels Price’s dynamic with Littler. Emma Raducanu’s “constant pressure” against Iga Swiatek at the French Open 2025, echoes the stakes Price faces, while Novak Djokovic’s roof dispute and Alexander Zverev’s £275K watch bet reflect the intensity of high-profile clashes. Jack Grealish’s Manchester City saga, shares Price’s need to seize pivotal moments.
Price’s chip shop prep before facing Littler, adds a grounded layer, akin to Littler’s modest Mercedes A-Class purchase after £1.8M earnings. His emotional reaction to Nottingham’s win, and crowd interactions in Glasgow, where he whistled back at hecklers, show his resilience, much like Coco Gauff’s 6-2, 6-2 French Open win.
Conclusion
Gerwyn Price views facing Luke Littler in the 2025 Premier League Darts Play-Offs semi-final on May 29 as a “blessing in disguise,” leveraging his six wins in their last seven meetings, including a 6-3 Nottingham triumph. With three nightly wins and a third-place finish, Price is primed for a title tilt. Littler’s record-breaking 45 points and nine-darter, make him formidable, but Price’s clinical doubles and confidence, position him well. Like Sherrock’s rivalry with Greaves or Raducanu’s resilience, Price’s mindset signals a fierce O2 showdown.
