Preview, order of play, how to watch and predictions as Humphries and Wright square off

Defending champion and top seed Humphries has progressed smoothly through the tournament and now faces Wright, the two-time world champion in 2020 and 2022.

However, the build-up to their clash has been anything but cordial, with Wright dismissing Humphries’ chances at the start of the tournament, leading to heated verbal exchanges during press conferences.

The tension will finally come to a head as only one of these champions will be left standing after tonight’s highly anticipated match.

Wright, known as “Snakebite,” previously said, “I know I can still compete with them. You know, what I do in training, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.

“People think, ‘Oh, you should retire, you should go on the old thing (senior tour). No, I’m not ready for that yet. I’m ready to upset Luke Littler. I’m here to upset Luke Humphries.”

In response, Humphries, who is yet to drop a set in his first two matches at Alexandra Palace, retorted: “If I’m not afraid of someone, I don’t mention them all the time. He had a lot to say in the last few weeks, he said he wasn’t afraid of me and Luke Littler, but he said he was going to break us up.

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“The pressure is now on him because if he doesn’t do it then the egg is on his face, not mine. I’m really, really relaxed, and if he doesn’t beat us then it will look stupid to him, not to me.

“I’m one world title away from almost matching his career, and I’m about 25 years younger, so I think one world title would match anything he’s ever accomplished in the game.”

In another high-stakes encounter, two of the sport’s top ten seeds, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, will also meet.

Price, a former tournament winner, thrives in high-pressure situations and has often embraced the role of the crowd’s “pantomime villain”.

The afternoon session will feature matches featuring Jeffrey de Graaf, Kevin Doets and Dimitri Van den Bergh. The evening’s lineup kicks off with Ricky Evans facing Robert Owens, followed by Clayton and Price, culminating in the main event of Humphries vs. Wright.