2022 Grand Slam of Darts Final Preview - Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall

After a week of action at the Grand Slam of Darts, it has come down to this as Michael Smith will face Nathan Aspinall on Sunday evening in Wolverhampton.

Whoever will lift the Eric Bristow Trophy will do so for the first time and will also end a long wait on two ends of the darting spectrum.

For Smith, it will be his ninth major final with eight previous seeing 'Bully Boy' without a major title for his efforts most recently in the European Championship, the last major in October.

For Aspinall, it will be a first major since the UK Open in 2019 but also more than that with 'The Asp' battling documented issues with a persistent wrist injury which nearly ended the career of the Stockport ace. But since a successful recovery, he has used his lifeline to become one of the consistent players on tour again.

With both being popular players, there is also the likelihood especially for Aspinall with Smith likely in automatically through the top four to be included in next year's Premier League and World Series as well as already booking their return to the Grand Slam next year.

Both players finished first in their groups. Smith did so without defeat, after victories over Lisa Ashton (5-3), Joe Cullen (5-1) and Ritchie Edhouse (5-1). Aspinall had a losing start with a defeat against Alan Soutar (4-5), but then picked up wins against Fallon Sherrock (5-1) and Peter Wright (5-2).

In the knockout stage, Smith then won against Rob Cross (10-8), Joe Cullen (16-15) and Raymond van Barneveld (16-12). Aspinall successively eliminated Jermaine Wattimena (10-6), Alan Soutar (16-12) and Luke Humphries (16-12).

They have faced each other thirteen times before. Smith triumphed seven times, and six times the victory went to Aspinall.

On television, the score is 5-4 in Smith's favour. However, the last three TV encounters were all won by Aspinall.

Raymond van Barneveld (94.97) 12-16 (104.10) Michael Smith

Nathan Aspinall (96.70) 16-12 (94.38) Luke Humphries

Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall