"He's in a situation he probably doesn't like" - Experts predict a Michael van Gerwen backlash is coming

This Thursday sees Night Four of the 2025 Premier League Darts take place in Exeter. Michael van Gerwen is currently without a weekly title after three straught semifinal defeats. Nevertheless, 'Mighty Mike' is currently sitting third in the table, with top four after sixteen nights qualifying for the playoffs at London's O2 Arena.

For Sky Sports, former PDC Tour Card holder Matthew Edgar gave his analysis, predicting Van Gerwen to come out fighting in Exeter. "I think he's in a situation he probably doesn't like," Edgar begins. "The conversation of who is the best player in the world has always been Michael van Gerwen or this or that player. But he's not really in that conversation, despite the fact he reached a world final. He's being overlooked."

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"So I think there's going to be a backlash. We're going to see Michael van Gerwen hit back and hit back hard," Edgar continues. "But he needs that consistency, that game by game. That's what the Premier League is. It's about preparing himself for multiple games because at the moment, hit game is bang on for one, the he's struggling to be able to replicate that."

Michael van Gerwen in action

As mentioned, after three nights of play, Van Gerwen is currently sitting nicely in third in the 2025 Premier League Darts standings. The 35-year-old Dutchman totals six points, four less than leader Luke Humphries, after Van Gerwen reached the semifinals on each of the first three days of play.

"I think it's coming," adds Sky Sports presenter Abigail Davies. "I've backed him to win the entire tournament because like Matt said, I feel that big response is coming from him. We saw signs at the World Championship, and against Luke Littler in the Premier League. He's showing he's got those bursts in him. Like he used to do."

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