Premier League Darts: Nathan Aspinall hopes Michael Smith plays a 'stinker' when they meet in Sheffield on Thursday

Nathan Aspinall has already started the mind-games, saying he hopes Michael Smith plays a "stinker" when they meet in a winner-takes-all BetMGM Premier League clash in Sheffield on Thursday - live on Sky Sports.

Smith preserved his hopes of a top-four finish with a 6-3 success against Aspinall in Leeds last week, punishing a profligate display from the Stockport star to set up a fascinating finale.

The final league night of the season, held at Sheffield's Utilita Arena, will see the two good friends go head-to-head in a straight shoot-out for qualification.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Premier League Darts permutations: Who will make Finals Night?
• Stream Premier League Darts and more with NOW
• How to book Fury v Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office

The winner will join Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen at the season-ending Play-Offs, which will take place at London's O2 on Thursday May 23.

"Every Premier League campaign I've played in has come down to the last night and two out of the three times I've got the job done," said Aspinall, who has two nightly wins in Exeter and Rotterdam. "I know what I've got to do and I'm confident that I'm going to come out with the result. It's going to be a tough game against Mike because we're close mates.

"I let him get away with it last week but that won't happen again. I shouldn't have been in this position but that's darts for you.

"I've really enjoyed this Premier League campaign and to be in the position that I'm in now knowing that it's in my own hands, I'm feeling proud of how I came back from the first three weeks when I was very poor. I should have had it wrapped up by now. I look at some of the results where certainly the two Luke Littler games stand out - the two 6-5 defeats - and again last week against Mike Smith.

"Last week we practised together and everyone knows we went away together a couple of weeks ago but this week I'm going to Sheffield serious, concentrate on my own game, and focus on the job in hand. If I do that, then I think I'll come out the winner."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Last year was a similar story for Aspinall who headed into the final regular Premier League night knowing he had to reach the final in Aberdeen, and although he hammered Jonny Clayton 6-0 in his opening match, the Stockport star fell to a 6-3 defeat against Gerwyn Price to end his hopes.

"These big pressure moments are what I live for. I love the pressure and adrenaline of a Thursday night and I think me being in the position that I have been in previously could put me in good stead ahead of Michael Smith," admitted the World Matchplay champion.

"I hope it doesn't come down to a last-leg decider. I don't want that to happen and as much as I like Michael, I hope he has an absolute stinker. I hope he plays shocking and I hope I win 6-0 but, seriously, it's going to be a tough game.

"I'm hoping to finish this campaign off on a high and making my debut at The O2, which is a dream of mine."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

His opponent Smith, a winner in Sheffield last year, says he is relieved to be playing a straight shoot-out for a place in the Play-Offs rather than having to win the night.

"I don't have to go into Sheffield thinking 'I've got to make the final or I've got to win it', I've just got to win one match," said the St Helens thrower.

"Nathan lost out on the last night last year, so hopefully, that sticks in his mind a bit.

"I hope he has a rotter. I just want to go up on stage and have fun with Nathan. One of us is going to miss out and I hope it's him, but it should be a cracker."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Webster fears for Aspinall in shoot-out

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former Lakeside champion Mark Webster told Sky Sports: "It's a bit cruel but you fear for Nathan a little bit because Michael Smith has put himself in a position. He's won [against Aspinall] in Leeds so he'll be feeling that's the minimum requirement to keep himself in the equation and he's done that.

"For Nathan, just because of what's happened last year, he knows what's on the line. We know how much of a battler he is, it's a knockout game and it's what these players generally play.

"It'll be a fantastic match. It's the match of the night, isn't it?"

Aspinall: Littler has shocked me

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Reflecting on the most talked about Premier League campaign in years, Aspinall feels the introduction of Littler has proved why the PDC included him, following his run to the World Championship final where the teenager lost out to Humphries.

"He's won the league hands down," said the 31-year-old, who was a Premier League runner-up in 2020. "He's been fantastic the way he's composed himself even when his back has been against it with the booing in Liverpool and Leeds, he's handled it really well. He's really, really shocked me if I'm deadly honest.

"He's not felt any bit of pressure - all credit to Luke Littler.

"The revenue that he's going to bring in is obscene. If you replace him with [Chris] Dobey the Premier League would not have had as much hype, so it's fantastic for the PDC and the rest of the players are benefiting from Luke being in the Premier League.

"The media attention that I've had during this Premier League campaign has been ridiculous, bigger sponsors and companies are getting involved so it's hats off to Luke and the PDC for the decision."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Smith said: "Littler is a kid who's in with the seasoned pros so he's had no pressure on him whatsoever.

"I've been pleasantly surprised at how well he has done. It's been nice having him in, although I've had the better of him about three or four times but it's been good having him and he's been good for the crowd as well because they've loved him and he's been amazing for the players because he's raised all our profiles."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Where does the Premier League head next?

The Premier League continues with Night 16 at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield on Thursday May 16, as Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall collide in a winner-takes-all quarter-final showdown.

Reigning world champion Luke Humphries goes head-to-head with Gerwyn Price, teenager Luke Littler will play Peter Wright for a place in the semi-finals, while Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross are also in action.

• Darts in 2024: Key dates and winners from Premier League and more
• Get Sky Sports | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp
• Download the Sky Sports App I Follow @SkySportsDarts

Book Fury vs Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office

It's one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight title on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now.

Fury vs Usyk: Timings, undercard, how to watch and more

Premier League Darts continues on Sky Sports on Thursday May 16 with Utilita Arena, Sheffield the next stop on the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs at The O2 arena in London on Thursday May 23. Stream the darts and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.