Littler vs Bunting (Premier League Darts): odds and bets 26.03.2026

This is a very Premier League-type quarter-final: best of 11 legs (first to 6), big-stage conditions and no time to grow into it. In this format, the biggest swing factor is usually finishing under pressure — you can win the scoring battle and still lose the match if you don’t “tidy up” efficiently on the doubles.

The other angle I’m weighing is the rhythm clash. Bunting tends to look his best when he can settle into a smooth tempo and play without feeling chased. Littler, on the other hand, is naturally disruptive because he applies pressure early and often. If Littler gets in front, it can force Bunting into higher-risk routes just to keep pace.

Luke Littler

Littler is a nightmare opponent in a race to six because his baseline is so aggressive. Even when he’s not throwing something outrageous, he’s usually close enough after nine darts to keep the opponent under constant stress. That’s important because it turns “routine” legs into pressure legs — and pressure legs are where favourites earn their price.

What I like about Littler in this matchup is that he can win legs in more than one way. If the 180s arrive, he can sprint away from anyone in this field. But even without a maximum-heavy performance, he tends to leave sensible finishes and he’s very good at converting one missed double from the opponent into a break of throw. In a best-of-11, that single swing is often the match.

The only caution is that, as a headline name, he frequently gets an opponent’s best level for 10 minutes. If Bunting starts sharply and pins a couple of clean two-dart finishes, Littler may have to grind rather than cruise. Still, I trust Littler’s ability to produce one decisive burst — the kind that turns 3–3 into 5–3 very quickly — and that’s exactly how these Premier League matches often get decided.

Stephen Bunting

Bunting is far better than many casual punters assume. At his best, he’s a very tidy technician: smooth rhythm, clean grouping and strong on conventional finishing routes. He can absolutely win Premier League matches when he starts well and keeps his doubling neat.

The difficulty here is the nature of the opponent. Against Littler, you rarely get “quiet” legs where you can ease into the match. You’re constantly asked to hit a double with immediate heat coming back at you. If Bunting’s outer-ring efficiency dips for even two legs, the match can run away fast because Littler is excellent at punishing second chances.

For Bunting to have a proper chance, I want to see two things: (1) an early hold pattern so he’s not always a leg behind, and (2) sharper-than-usual doubling. If he can drag this into 10 or 11 legs, that’s where his experience and rhythm can make it uncomfortable for the favourite. But if he gives up an early break, he’s often forced into riskier lines — and that plays into Littler’s hands.