Aled Williams
BBC Wales Sport at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

It will be very much an away day for current Premier League leader Jonny Clayton this evening.

The 51-year-old faces local favourite Stephen Bunting in the second match.

He was a wildcard for this year's Premier League of Darts and many would not have predicted he would be leading the table after 11 of the 16 pre-finals rounds.

"I love it. It's 16 weeks of the best players in darts," said Clayton.

Clayton is appearing in the Premier League for a fourth time, but the first since 2023.

Liverpool-born Bunting, seventh in the table, is in the second quarter-final against league leader Jonny Clayton.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

For many darts players, a key question needs to be answered at a crunch period of their careers. Job or full-time arrows?

Jonny Clayton was no different.

The Welshman spent many years switching between competing against the darting elite and working as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council.

It was a work-life balance like no other but one that laid the foundations for his incredible rise to the pinnacle of the sport.

A wildcard for this year's Premier League of Darts, the 51-year-old was expected by many to finish bottom, let alone qualify for the finals at the 02 Arena on 28 May.

However, with four nightly wins - including back-to-back successes in the past two weeks - Clayton leads the way after 11 of the 16 group-phase rounds.

Having previously won the event five years ago, BBC Sport considers how he got here - and whether the former decorator can be decorated again.

• Read more here

Up next, the Premier League leader Jonny Clayton takes on Stephen Bunting.

Gian van Veen is first down to a finish, but has 160 left. Gerwyn Price has 140 remaining after his throw.

Van Veen can only find 140, but it is a poor set of darts from Gerwyn Price as he only manages 75.

Just two darts at double 10 needed for the Dutchman to hold and win the match.

Aled Williams
BBC Wales Sport at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Gerwyn Price has had a good reception from the crowd here, with fans chanting his name. He will need all the encouragement if he’s going to get something from this quarter final.

Could Gerwyn Price come back?

He holds his throw to reduce Gian van Veen's lead.

Treble 19, six, tops to see off 103.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

It's not been an easy night for either player here. While the standard has been decent, both have lacked a little bit of rhythm.

Both players have been inconsistent so far.

Gian van Veen finds 120 with 140 left to leave double 10. Gerwyn Price can't take out 25.

Van Veen misses his first two darts at the double before pinning it with the third.

Image source, Getty Images

Another 180 from Gian van Veen in this leg.

He has 140 left, while Gerwyn Price is waiting with only double eight remaining.

Van Veen only manages 100 and Price finishes on double four.

There have been some poor darts from Gerwyn Price. Gian van Veen is down to 16 left while Price is still back on 202.

He fires in a 180 to apply some pressure, but Van Veen takes out double four with the third dart of his throw.

Five legs played, five legs won against the throw.

Gian van Veen is first down to a finish, but leaves 57.

Gerwyn Price has 156 left, but can only find 84.

No misses on 17 for Van Veen as he hits the single before finding tops.

What is going on?

Gian van Veen sets up tops, but it doesn't matter.

Gerwyn Price has 88 left and finds treble 20 to leave double 14. He finishes on double seven.

Having the darts isn't proving to be much of an advantage.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

Whenever Gerwyn gets beat, it seems like an upset to me because he's so good so often. When he does play off his best form, you go: "What happened there, then?"

He's done a lot right in this Premier League. When he won [the night] three weeks ago, he looked unbeatable. Whenever any of these players get in that rich vein of form, you think they're going to keep doing it, but darts is not that simple.

Gerwyn Price hits two as he looks for 17 with 57 left, so he only has one dart at a double. He goes under on tops.

Van Veen has 16 left and finishes on double four after going inside.

Oh! So nearly a big fish from Gerwyn Price. He gets the two trebles but then hits the outer bull.

Gian van Veen tries to take out 100 with 20, tops, tops, but his third dart goes under.

Price then sees off 25. He loves the 12s route so goes for a one, then the double, then finishes on double six after going inside.

Not exactly a thrilling start in terms of scoring... although Gian van Veen fires in the first 180.

He then takes out 84 to snatch the leg against the throw.

Van Veen is using different darts to usual, that is interesting. He gets a 15-dart break.

Time for our first match of the evening.

Gerwyn Price throws first.

Aled Williams
BBC Wales Sport at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

It’s a beautiful evening in Liverpool as the crowds make their way to the Arena for this evening’s action.

I spotted the Teletubbies, some frogs and a couple of jockeys too.

Maybe they decided to stay on in town for this one after the Grand National two weeks ago.