What has made the 2019 Premier League Darts so close?

The close competitive nature of the league is obviously down to the quality of competitors in it being arguably higher than ever. Usually we see Michael Van Gerwen streak away with the Premier League Darts number one spot, but this is occupied by Rob Cross who reclaimed the spot by sweeping aside Daryl Gurney 8-4 in front of Gurney’s home crowd in Belfast. Van Gerwen has already lost more games in this years Premier League as he did in the entire 2016 campaign which was arguable his most dominant, losing only on the opening night to James Wade, culminating in a 11-3 demolition of Phil Taylor in the final. With every remaining competitors tournament average being between 96 and 100 this is the closest gap we have seen for some years, with Van Gerwen nearly four points clear on averages in last years competition and is the first time since 2013 that Van Gerwen faces not being top of the average table, and if the Dutchman was to miss out on top spot it would be the first time he has failed to seal top spot during his seven year Premier League career. Looking ahead to this week’s action in Liverpool the real stand out fixture is that repeat of the 2019 World Championship final and the 2018 Premier League final, where Michael Smith faces Michael Van Gerwen in what will be a make or break tie for both, but for every different reasons. Neither can afford to drop points, for Smith, if he is to make the the final four, taking both points every week from now on is more or less a necessity. For Van Gerwen, a win could see him return to that perch at the top of the table that he so desires.