DRAW PDC Players Championship 31 | Luke Littler & Michael van Gerwen handed tough openers as fight for Minehead qualification nears finale

The PDC ProTour campaign edges towards its final stretch, and with just a handful of Players Championship events left before Minehead, the stakes rise once again. The 31st tournament of the season sees the sport’s elite return to the floor, as the likes of Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price all either sharpening their form, or in a race against time to qualify for the upcoming Finals.

Luke Littler headlines the first round once again, taking on Ritchie Edhouse in a repeat of their Players Championship clash earlier in the season. The 18-year-old world number two arrives fresh from his World Grand Prix triumph, but was notably beaten by Beau Greaves at yesterday's World Youth Championship. Edhouse, a capable operator and proven major winner, will provide dangerous opposition for Littler, who starts the day outside the top 64 in the Players Championship Order of Merit.

Another player outside the qualification spots is Michael van Gerwen. After a quieter run by his own standards, Van Gerwen needs a big run, and he starts today against Dom Taylor. The Dutchman remains a major threat in any draw, yet the ProTour has not been his most dominant hunting ground this season. With Minehead approaching, Van Gerwen’s timing tends to improve — and this looks a dangerous moment to catch him.

Nathan Aspinall also has work to do, despite being one of the circuit’s most resilient performers. He faces Thibaut Tricole in what looks a tricky opening assignment. The Frenchman has adapted impressively to life on the ProTour, mixing it with established names and showing a calm temperament under pressure.

Humphries returns to Players Championship action following his World Grand Prix final defeat. The world number one has looked composed if not spectacular in recent floor events, often running into inspired opposition. Dennant is capable of heavy scoring bursts, but Humphries is a heavy favourite to progress.

Gerwyn Price remains a genuine danger every time he steps onto the oche, despite recently dropping out of the world's top 10. Facing the improving Niels Zonneveld, the Welshman will have a tough task. Two players searching for form collide in what could be one of the day’s more unpredictable ties as Peter Wright faces Jose de Sousa. Rob Cross meets Adam Paxton, while Joe Cullen takes on Martin Lukeman. Josh Rock opens against Bradley Brooks in what could be a quickfire, high-scoring affair.

See the full draw down below!

Stephen Bunting - | - Darius Labanauskas

Jim Long - | - Jeffrey De Graaf

Michael Smith - | - Carl Sneyd

Sebastian Bialecki - | - Keane Barry

Dirk van Duijvenbode - | - Oskar Lukasiak

Tytus Kanik - | - Dimitri Van den Bergh

Luke Woodhouse - | - Viktor Tingstrom

Alan Soutar - | - Nick Kenny

Luke Humphries - | - Matthew Dennant

Alexander Merkx - | - Patrick Geeraets

Daryl Gurney - | - Max Hopp

Robert Grundy - | - Scott Waites

Wessel Nijman - | - Callan Rydz

Tom Bissell - | - Ian White

William O'Connor - | - Greg Ritchie

Connor Scutt - | - Danny Lauby

Jonny Clayton - | - Ted Evetts

Maximilian Czerwinski - | - Lukas Wenig

Ricardo Pietreczko - | - Rhys Griffin

Andy Boulton - | - Andy Baetens

Nathan Aspinall - | - Thibault Tricole

Stefan Bellmont - | - Steve Lennon

Ryan Joyce - | - Berry van Peer

Scott Williams - | - Maik Kuivenhoven

Ross Smith - | - Martijn Dragt

Haupai Puha - | - Florian Hempel

Dave Chisnall - | - George Killington

Adam Hunt - | - Richard Veenstra

James Wade - | - Benjamin Reus

Stephen Burton - | - Adam Lipscombe

Joe Cullen - | - Martin Lukeman

Danny van Trijp - | - Justin Hood

Josh Rock - | - Bradley Brooks

Lee Cocks - | - Ricky Evans

Kevin Doets - | - Graham Hall

Andreas Harrysson - | - Joshua Richardson

Chris Dobey - | - Dominik Gruellich

David Davies - | - Radek Szaganski

Michael van Gerwen - | - Dom Taylor

Brett Claydon - | - Joe Hunt

Damon Heta - | - Brendan Dolan

Darren Beveridge - | - Tavis Dudeney

Raymond van Barneveld - | - Adam Warner

Mensur Suljovic - | - Dennie Olde Kalter

Cameron Menzies - | - Jitse Van der Wal

Wesley Plaisier - | - Cor Dekker

Niels Zonneveld - | - Mickey Mansell

Ryan Meikle - | - Dylan Slevin

Martin Schindler - | - Matt Campbell

Thomas Lovely - | - Mario Vandenbogaerde

Peter Wright - | - Jose De Sousa

Darryl Pilgrim - | - Stefaan Henderyck

Jermaine Wattimena - | - Christian Kist

Nathan Rafferty - | - Madars Razma

Niko Springer - | - Leon Weber

Jelle Klaasen - | - Rob Owen

Gian van Veen - | - James Hurrell

Gabriel Clemens - | - Karel Sedlacek

Rob Cross - | - Adam Paxton

Cam Crabtree - | - Jamai van den Herik

Luke Littler - | - Ritchie Edhouse

Kim Huybrechts - | - Owen Bates

Krzysztof Ratajski - | - Marvin van Velzen

William Borland - | - Chris Landman