"If they both bring their A-game then it's going to be an absolute epic": Turner expecting superb clash between Van Gerwen and Smith

In a mammoth quarter-final clash that could have massive ramifications at the top of the Premier League Darts table, Michael Smith takes on Michael van Gerwen and Laura Turner believes it could be an absolute epic.

"Van Gerwen and Smith can play with a little bit of freedom because they have both qualified for the Play-Offs, but I still think they're going to be vying for that top position, especially MVG," Turner reveals in conversation with Sky Sports Darts. "If they both bring their A-game then it's going to be an absolute epic."

Now world ranked number one and number two after van Gerwen's success at the recent Belgian Darts Open saw him overtake Peter Wright in the Order of Merit, Smith is fresh off back-to-back Premier League night wins so both players are clearly in good form.

"Smith won that final in Manchester last week with a 110 average and it looked as if he was going to hit at least one nine-darter. If we can see that version of Smith then Michael van Gerwen will also have to find his A-game," continues Turner. "I just like the way Smith is playing. He's so relaxed and he's got that freedom and drive. He just looks effortless when he's in full flow but Michael is coming into this on the back of a win on the Euro Tour so it could be an interesting clash."

"Smith looks like a different player, a different mindset when he's up there. He's got the freedom to produce these massive averages but he sometimes does drop off en route to winning a few of his titles in the Premier League but he tops it off by finding that extra gear again," she adds. "He's just poetic to watch. Even Jonny Clayton was smiling to himself in that final in Manchester just thinking 'wow, what can I do here'. He didn't look like he was going to miss and when he did miss he wasn't far away either."

Michael Smith was 🤏 close to a nine-darter in the Manchester final, but a 10-darter levelled the tie at 2-2... 🎯 pic.twitter.com/dUxf26khzv

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 4, 2023