The Premier League caravan reaches Leeds on eight May and Nathan Aspinall knows the First Direct Arena could decide whether his season ends in glory or heartbreak. After beginning the campaign with four early exits the Stockport thrower reignited his year by lifting the nightly trophy in Manchester and now sits only one point outside the all important top four. Leeds therefore offers a golden springboard toward a second straight play off appearance.

Aspinall’s resurgence has been built on improved finishing. Tournament data shows he has raised his double success from thirty eight percent in February to forty nine percent across the last three nights and no player has landed more attempts at double twelve. Sports psychologist David Pannell credits a new pre throw breathing routine introduced before the Liverpool event for the uptick in composure under lights.

The draw in Leeds throws him straight into the fire against table leader Luke Littler. The teenager has already banked five nightly titles and boasts a one hundred point two season average but Aspinall points to his victory over Littler in Manchester as proof the prodigy can be tamed. Should he repeat the feat a semi final with either Rob Cross or Gerwyn Price would await and five points could rocket him into third place.

The Yorkshire crowd promises a hostile chorus for every missed dart at double and Aspinall has admitted that noise sometimes creeps under his skin. This week he travelled with headphones and plans to arrive at the venue earlier than usual to absorb the atmosphere during the junior walk on rehearsals.

Only three regular nights remain after Leeds and mathematical models suggest twenty seven points will be the cut line for London. Aspinall stands on twenty and insists he would rather chase than defend. If his new found calm survives the cauldron of white rose passion the road to redemption may well lead all the way to the O two.