Premier League Darts: Luke Littler v Michael Smith prediction, tips and odds

The opening semi-final of this year's Premier League Darts will see Luke Littler and Michael Smith lock-horns at London's O2 Arena on Thursday and our man, Keith Deller MBE, provides his best bets for the showdown.

Luke Littler v Michael Smith betting prediction, tips & start time

Luke Littler v Michael Smith (19:15)

Michael Smith - To Win Match @ 2/1
Over 17.5 Legs @ 7/4
Over 13.5 180s @ 2/1

What a way to open Finals Night at the O2 Arena as two of the biggest names in the game collide in what should be a blockbuster showdown.

Luke Littler is the betting favourite, and rightly so, given his charge to the summit of the league table, but I just have a sneaky feeling that his run comes to an end at the hands of Michael Smith.

'Bully Boy' is the one player who has been able to take Littler to the cleaners in the competition to date, winning five of the seven meetings leading into this week's affair.

Littler, for me, has gone off the boil over the last couple of weeks, whereas Smith will arrive in London riding the crest of a wave after securing himself a play-off berth by virtue of his success over close friend Nathan Aspinall in Sheffield last time out.

Not only did the St Helens' man hold his nerve to see off the Asp, but he also went on to win the night - his first success since the opening week of the competition back in February.

We are going to see a real tungsten tussle on Thursday. I expect the maximums to be raining in, which is why 'Over 13.5 180s' carries a lot of appeal to me, and I also feel that the match is going to be close - reaching, at least, an 18th leg.

But, for as tight as it will be, I am leaning with the 2/1 outsider Michael Smith to progress to the final and maintain his outstanding head-to-head record against the World Finalist.

Read Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen prediction, tips and odds here.

Luke Littler v Michael Smith odds

Luke Littler made a mockery of anybody questioning whether he could handle the rigours of the Premier League in his debut campaign by winning the league phase in emphatic fashion.

So it comes as no surprise to see the Warrington man installed as the odds-on 2/5 favourite to reach the showpiece final.

However, Michael Smith boasts a winning record over his opponent this year, and can be backed at 2/1 to extend that run in London on Thursday night.

View all match markets and odds for Luke Littler v Michael Smith on site.

Luke Littler v Michael Smith Bet Boosts >>

We've got a number of Bet Boosts >> available for Luke Littler v Michael Smith on Thursday night, including:

170 Finish in the Match - Yes
Was 11/2 >> Now 6/1

Match Double
Luke Littler To Win Match & Most 100 Checkouts
Was 6/4 >> Now 13/8

Match Double
Michael Smith To Win Match & Most 180s
Was 5/1 >> Now 11/2

View all Bet Boosts for Luke Littler v Michael Smith on site.

Odds and Bet Boosts displayed were correct and available at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.