Stephen Bunting vs Luke Littler (Premier League Darts): odds and bets 19.03.2026

This Premier League quarter-final (race to 6) is a classic clash of styles: Bunting’s smoother rhythm and controlled doubling versus Littler’s relentless scoring and ability to swing a leg with one explosive visit. In a short format like this, the match is often decided by two things: who lands the first break of throw, and who tidies up the awkward mid-range finishes that turn holds into steals.

I’m also looking at how both players tend to start matches on these nights. If Bunting settles early and pins his first doubles, he can keep it tight and make Littler work for every leg. But if Littler hits the ground running with heavy scoring, the pressure builds fast and it becomes very hard for Bunting to get second chances on the outer ring.

Stephen Bunting

Bunting’s Premier League has had genuine substance, not just isolated good legs. He’s shown he can put together a full night of top-level darts and finish the job when the opportunity is there. When his first dart is landing well in the treble 20 bed, he becomes a very complete player: solid set-ups, sensible routes, and a finishing game that can look clinical when he’s in rhythm.

What I like about Bunting in a race to six is how he structures legs. He tends to leave makeable doubles and doesn’t overcomplicate the maths, which is important against someone who can score heavily like Littler. The problem is that against Littler you simply don’t get many “second looks” at a double. If Bunting misses tops or D16 in the early legs, Littler is exactly the kind of opponent who punishes immediately with a strong scoring visit and a straightforward checkout.

So for Bunting, the blueprint is clear: start sharp on the doubles, keep his own throw tidy, and make sure he’s not drifting into scrappy legs where he needs multiple darts at the outer ring. If he can do that, he can absolutely make this competitive and keep the scoreline close.

Luke Littler

Littler’s ceiling is obvious, but what’s impressed me most recently is that he can win in different ways. When he’s flowing, the scoring pressure is relentless: regular 140s, the threat of maximums, and quick legs that force opponents into lower-percentage finishes. In a race to six, that kind of scoreboard pressure often decides things before the match even becomes a pure doubling contest.

Even when it isn’t perfect, Littler has shown he can navigate tight moments. That matters here because Bunting is good enough to nick legs and keep the match within one break. Littler’s main tactical edge is simple: he creates pressure earlier in legs. If he wins the early scoring exchanges, he dictates the tempo and forces Bunting to chase—never a comfortable place to be against a power scorer.

The risk for Littler is allowing Bunting to settle into a steady rhythm and start pinning first-dart doubles. But if Littler starts well and avoids gifting cheap chances, he should get the key break of throw and be in control of the match.