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Stephen Bunting must be one of the most unlikely sporting heroes but he's one of the most popular stars on planet darts - the fans just love him!

Luke Littler talking to Sky Sports: "I definitely don't want to go through what I went through last week. It was a complete whirlwind. But, when it comes to night 16 or 17 that could be a crucial nightly win.

"The first few weeks I felt good and I just wasn't performing. That is always going to happen in the darts world, you can't always play your best. I'm up to second but I want to go chasing first.

"Me and Stephen [Bunting] always play well. We have wins against each other. He won here last year and he'll want to win the trophy again but I'm afraid I'm stood in his way."

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Stephen Bunting is playing fantastic.

He needs a big win with being on seven points. A night win would put him right in the mix though.

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Luke Littler is closing in on league leader Jonny Clayton as he targets a top-two finish in the final Premier League table.

The Nuke somehow won last week in Dublin with that epic comeback in the final over Gerwyn Price. Tonight he kicks-off with the same quarter-final fixture as last week against Stephen Bunting - who he beat 6-3 in Dublin.

“I’ve finished top in the last two years and I want to do it again,” said Littler.

“With the start Jonny had and the start I’ve had, obviously it’s good to see I’ve closed the gap to Jonny in second spot.

“I’m right behind him now, so we’ll go and chase him!”

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

We're used to ridiculous things happening around Luke Littler on a stage. Even when he's not playing well, he finds a way to win.

I'm not saying there is a fear factor, but you have to finish him off. You can't let the kid off.

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Michael van Gerwen gets back to winning ways with a third break of the Luke Humphries throw built on another 180.

MVG won the opening night of the season then made the week two final but hasn't actually won a match since then - getting two points for a walkover last week when Gian van Veen couldn't play.

So that will be a welcome relief for the seven-time Premier League champion who comes through with a 99 average with two 180s and that big 142 checkout one if six doubles hit from 14 attempts.

Humphries averaged just over 96 but three out of 10 on the doubles left him open to be beaten, with MVG going above him now in the table.

Michael van Gerwen almost takes out 129 on double 12 but Luke Humphries isn't on a finish so the Dutchman has the luxury of coming back with three darts in hand at double six.

He needs just the one so Mighty Mike moves one leg away from victory.

It's Michael van Gerwen's turn now to fluff his lines as he misses three darts at double 16 to go one away from victory and he allows Luke Humphries to hold and stay in the match.

Two more doubles go begging for Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen takes full advantage to hold his throw and take a two-leg lead.

Humphries is in big trouble now and he's shaking his head at his continued missed doubles.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

That is uncharacteristic from Luke Humphries. When he got the break back I thought he'd kick on from there but he's just let Van Gerwen break in 17 darts.

It's all breaks here in Berlin! A two-dart kill from 74 does the job for Michael van Gerwen to go back in front with the third straight leg won against the throw.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

That is a missed opportunity for Michael van Gerwen.

Michael van Gerwen loses his throw right away thanks to not being able to take out 80, with his two darts in the single 20 not helping his final effort at tops.

That's a 13-darter for Luke Humphries against the throw which was a great response, but Van Gerwen scored heavily enough to hold his throw there so he'll be annoyed at that one.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Michael van Gerwen does seem to really fancy this tonight.

Usually when he gets ahead too he finds a way to see it out.

He seems calm and composed and he's got a steely look in his eyes. This is going to be a belter.

Brilliant! And just to make a mockery of your live texter banging on about their missed doubles - Michael van Gerwen takes out 142 to go ahead.

The first treble 20 left so much room he landed in another and the double 11 was also perfect as MVG grabs what could be a crucial advantage.

Another 180 by Luke Humphries sees him power ahead in the scoring. Michael van Gerwen misses two darts at double 16 but when Humphries makes a bit of a mess of his finish the Dutchman nails it to level.

Great scoring but seven missed doubles in just two legs so far from these two, what do they say? Scoring for show....

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

More of that please gentlemen!

An electric start with both men hitting 180s in the opening leg but both men also miss darts at doubles, two by Luke Humphries and one by Michael van Gerwen so the Englishman escapes with the first leg on the board.

Quality start.

Luke Humphries throws first - game on!

So who wins our second match of the night?

Thumbs up for Humphries and thumbs down for MVG.