Michael van Gerwen believes Luke Littler has not been 'convincing' in the games he's won against the Dutchman, despite the one-sided scoreline in recent matches between the two.
The Dutchman got up to full speed in the Premier League early on having won three consecutive nights at one stage.
But this past Thursday in Belfast was the first time in four weeks that Van Gerwen made it past the first round as he came through a difficult match against Michael Smith.
That set up a sixth meeting of the year between Van Gerwen and Littler, but the teenager comfortably got the job done 6-3.
Luke Littler beat Michael van Gerwen 6-3 this week
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That followed on from Littler's previous win over Van Gerwen just two weeks prior when the 17-year-old averaged an incredible 114 to win 6-2.
It's now all square between the two darts giants with momentum clearly on Littler's side from their previous two meetings.
However, Van Gerwen doesn't think any of his three losses to Littler have been 'convincing' despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.
"Right at the beginning of that match it went wrong," he told Viaplay about his loss to Littler.
"I can see he's not comfortable and then I'm just too preoccupied with him instead of concentrating on my own game.
"But there was still more in it. I have now played Luke six times, three of which I lost and three of which I won.
"Every time he won against me it was not convincing, while he does against other players.
"I just have to take advantage of that, which is still a downside that it didn't work out tonight."
Michael van Gerwen has lost his last two matches against Luke Littler
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Littler's win over Van Gerwen saw him progress to his second Premier League final of the year where he went up against his stablemate Nathan Aspinall.
The 32-year-old has found good form in recent weeks and has reached his fourth final in six weeks.
But it proved to be Littler's night as he won 6-4 to clinch his first Premier League night win.
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Luke Littler went all the way and won the Premier League evening
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That also moved Littler up to second in the Premier League table with just seven events remaining before the play-offs.
It's still incredibly tight in the table with both Michael Smith and Rob Cross within touching distance of the top four spots.
Gerwyn Price is also capable of finding form while Peter Wright will need to find something to change his fortune.
