The Aberdeen crowd were really into Luke Humphries' walk-on music. In fairness, I Predict A Riot by Kaizer Chiefs is a certified banger.

Even Luke Littler looked impressed.

This match has the feel of a prestige exhibtion match - which I suppose it is, as both men are already qualified for the play-offs.

Luke Littler can guarantee top spot however with a win here.

Luke Humphries, on facing Luke Littler: “You know have to raise your game against Luke. You have to perform at a really high level otherwise you won’t have a chance.

“When I played Luke in Newcastle I had no answer to his performance, but when I’m at my best, I know I can push him.

“Winning in Leeds last week will give me great confidence, but the goal now is to be Premier League champion. Whatever happens in the next two weeks, that’s my focus."

The top two ranked players in the world, the top two in the Premier League standings, the last two world champions.

Littler, with a record five night wins in 2025, looks set to finish top of the league stage as he aims to defend his Premier League title.

However Humphries - beaten by Littler in the 2024 final - kept his hopes of top spot alive by winning in Leeds last Thursday, his third night win.

Littler will top the league phase for a second straight year if he defeats Humphries in this quarter-final.

But this is hard to call - in six Premier League meetings this season, both men have won three each.

Image source, Getty/BBC

Thinking back to Gerwyn Price's nine-darter against Stephen Bunting earlier - it means of the five perfect legs thrown in this year's Premier League, four have come in defeats.

Luke Humphries and Rob Cross both suffered defeats on night five when they threw nine-darters, as did Price himself on night 10 - and then again in Aberdeen.

The only man in the 2025 competition to throw a nine-darter on their way to a win was Luke Littler, during his final victory over Michael van Gerwen in Cardiff.

And speaking of Littler...

Chris Dobey sees it out, a fine display.

That means he still has a faint chance of reaching the play-offs - he nights to win both remaining nights in this league stage to snatch fourth.

But for Rob Cross, this loss means his hopes of reaching the O2 Arena are officially over for another year. He now cannot reach the top four.

Chris Dobey opens what might be the final leg with a 180 - his fifth of the match. Rob Cross only has one.

Cross is first to a finish though, needing 81 to check out. But he misses twice at doubles, and Dobey is in...

Chris Dobey is throwing fluently, another 180 puts him in charge of leg seven.

Rob Cross looks rather underpowered here, perhaps knowing the writing is on the wall for his 2025 Premier League campaign.

Dobey has three darts at doubles for a 5-2 lead - the first hits single 16, the second is in D8.

He's one leg from the semis.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

Chris Dobey is on song and on top here.

Could we see a break here? Dobey is on a finish first, albeit a difficult 134.

He's off the mark, so Cross can finish with 140 - but hits single one with his opening dart!

78 to break for Dobey - makes it!

You suspect we could see some more fireworks tonight. There's an end of term feel in Aberdeen.

Chris Dobey throws 140 to set up a 46 finish, and seals it for a 15-dart leg.

All five legs have gone on throw so far.

No, Rob Cross is off his mark. Lighthearted boos from the crowd.

Cross misses his first arrow at D16 to check out, but Dobey is well back so Voltage is able to seal the leg at his next visit.

Rob Cross opens leg four with a 180 - then follows it with 177!

We couldn't have another nine-darter, could we?

A slightly subdued atmosphere in Aberdeen - a few of the crowd may have gone to the bar to refresh following that nine-darter.

Chris Dobey converts D18 to regain the lead.

Remarkably, Rob Cross has never won a night in the Premier League. Ever.

He can start by winning this match, and indeed this leg. But he misses D16 to fail at a 121 out.

Chris Dobey is well back though - albeit hitting a second 180 of the match - and Cross, slightly nervily, gets on the board.

Chris Dobey hits 180 with his opening visit of the match - surely not another nine-darter?

No, but he takes early control of this match as he throws first.

A 70 finish set up, but he cannot convert as he misses at D16.

Rob Cross however cannot punish Dobey, and the Geordie sees it out.

No rest, we're onto quarter-final number three.

Chris Dobey and Rob Cross both need a win to keep their slim play-off chances alive.

Could we see a seventh different winner in as many weeks? The chances are slim with Michael van Gerwen now out.

Rob Cross is the other man yet to win a night in 2025.

Night 1, Belfast - Winner: Luke Humphries

Night 2, Glasgow - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 3, Dublin - Winner: Gerwyn Price

Night 4, Exeter - Winner: Luke Humphries

Night 5, Brighton - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 6, Nottingham - Winner: Gerwyn Price

Night 7, Cardiff - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 8, Newcastle - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 9, Berlin - Winner: Stephen Bunting

Night 10, Manchester - Winner: Nathan Aspinall

Night 11, Rotterdam - Winner: Chris Dobey

Night 12, Liverpool - Winner: Gerwyn Price

Night 13, Birmingham - Winner: Luke Littler

Night 14, Leeds - Winner: Luke Humphries

Each of these men need a remarkable series of circumstances to make the play-offs - although technically their destiny is in their own hands.

Chris Dobey can only reach the play-offs by winning every match he plays across tonight and next week. A tough ask, although his night win in Rotterdam shows he is capable.

Rob Cross meanwhile has not even reached a night final this season, let alone secured a win. If he makes the final tonight, he will keep his chances alive - so long as he is not beaten by Michael van Gerwen.

Cross has had great individual moments this year, particularly his nine-darter on night five. He needs to find some late consistency.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images