Michael van Gerwen has set up a blockbuster clash with Luke Littler at the Dutch Darts Master.
A few weeks on from their clash in the World Darts Championship quarter-final, Mighty Mike is set to face The Nuke once again.
Littler dominated Van Gerwen at the World Championships, as Van Gerwen made some costly mistakes, and he’ll be hoping to do the same again here.
| Luke Littler stats in World Darts Championship final | |
| Three-dart average | 102.73 |
| 100+ visits | 52 |
| 140+ visits | 23 |
| 180s | 12 |
| Double percentage | 56% |
| Double 10s hit | 12 |
However, the story this time may be different.
Indeed, for the first time in a long time, Littler won’t be the fan favourite at the Dutch Masters as the fans will be behind Van Gerwen as the local favourite.
Speaking to Online Darts, Van Gerwen has been discussing how Littler will cope with the atmosphere in Den Bosch, and he says the teenager is more than good enough to cope here.
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Luke Littler will cope with Dutch fans
Van Gerwen spoke about facing Littler in front of the Dutch crowd.
Mighty Mike says that Littler is good enough to deal with these circumstances and he’s set up for a tough test.
“If it is Luke who you play, do you think the atmosphere will get to him?
“I think he is a player who has the quality and enough to deal with those circumstances, I have to deal with them, so he has to as well,” Van Gerwen said.
Luke Littler has dealt with tough crowds before
This isn’t the first time Littler has faced the prospect of having to deal with a raucous crowd.
Indeed, Littler isn’t afraid to get some stick from the fans, as he showed in the Premier League last year.
Despite being born just down the road in Warrington, Littler was public enemy number one when the Premier League headed to Liverpool last year.
The Nuke wasn’t quick to make friends in Liverpool as he mocked Liverpool FC after their result against Everton the week before.
Littler mocked Liverpool again the next week on social media.
Littler was hounded at the M&S Bank Arena, but he still went on to win the night.
| Luke Littler’s Premier League matches in Liverpool | Result |
| Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall | 6-3 to Luke Littler |
| Luke Littler vs Gerwyn Price | 6-5 to Luke Littler |
| Luke Littler vs Rob Cross | 6-2 to Luke Littler |
Littler will, once again, be the pantomime villain in the Netherlands against Van Gerwen, but, as Littler showed in Liverpool, he won’t be intimidated.