Another Premier League Darts Judgement Night has rolled around.

It should be a good one, too. There are two players whose Premier League Darts future are in serious doubt, with one more not completely safe. One of the trio will leave full of disappointment and regret - basically, the classic Milton Keynes experience.

Rob Cross is firmly in the mire. After picking up three points in his first two games, Voltage has accrued a mere two since. Now the former world champion sits bottom of the league. If he loses tonight, Cross' race is run. A Daryl Gurney win would also seal his fate, while a whitewash would be needed should Superchin draw. The real issue is that it's hard to recall when Cross looked even close to his best, or outplayed his opponent. Now he's going to have to do something special, or this is the last we'll see of him in this year's Premier League Darts.

Glen Durrant is in completely the opposite vein of form, and comes into this as the league leader, thanks to a third straight win over Michael van Gerwen. A lot has been made of van Gerwen's use of the word "boring" - which he used while giving Duzza effusive praise. Mighty Mike is no wordsmith, but there's a dash of truth there. Durrant is meticulous. There's no flash or adrenaline-fuelled antics. He can be counted on to get onto the oche, throw excellent darts, and walk away. It might be boring for opponents, but his fans aren't complaining. His trademark consistency makes for prime playoff candidacy, and also makes Durrant just about the worst opponent Cross could have. This game won't be boring, that's for sure.

Next stop: playoffs

Darts is a funny old game, sometimes. Michael Smith has played two games in 24 hours, losing the first 7-3 with a 107 average, and then winning the second by the same scoreline, with 11 points lopped off the average. That has a lot to do with the quality of opposition, sure. What it does mean is that despite the contrasting results, there's a largely positive trend for the Bully Boy. He takes on Nathan Aspinall, who has done much the same but in reverse, and the English duo go into their clash with identical records.

Three of the four players involved in the two games following the Cross-Durrant clash are firmly in the playoff mix. Daryl Gurney is the exception, but 48 hours ago he wouldn't have even made plans for post-Judgement Night action. Now he could be safe before even throwing a dart. The win over Nathan Aspinall was especially pleasing, with a rousing comeback showing that battling spirit that has won him titles before. Defeat to Peter Wright - who, with three wins from his last four, joints Glen Durrant at the top of the form table - would leave him adrift at the bottom of the table if Cross doesn't eliminate him. But that's a worry for another night.

MVG in trouble?

Michael van Gerwen doesn't have a losing record against many players, but he's now 0-for-3 against Glen Durrant. It leaves him trailing Duzza, having lost three of his first nine Premier League Darts matches of the season - for the first time. It's become fashionable to cast doubt on the world number one when he's not dominating at every turn, but he'd be the first to admit that his A-game hasn't shown up. Gary Anderson, coming off the back of a mauling by Gerwyn Price, will want to recreate the magic that saw him out-shoot Michael Smith.

Price rounds off the session, taking on the last of the contenders in Jermaine Wattimena. The fast-flinging Dutchman will want to become the second contender to grab a victory, after Luke Humphries, but he faces a player on a high after a 7-1 win. The Welshman's performance against Gary Anderson was as emphatic as his post-match finger-pointing was bizarre; all he needs to do is focus on winning, and the points will continue to build up. Incidentally, despite a slight mathematical chance of elimination, he's only two points off the play-off spots - there's a lot to play for once Judgement Night is over.

Click here for more information on the 2020 Premier League Darts, including the fixtures and prize money breakdown.

Schedule Premier League Darts

Thursday August 27 (Judgement Night)
Milton Keynes – Marshall Arena

18:40 Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith
19:20 Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
20:00 Jermaine Wattimena v Gerwyn Price
20:40 Peter Wright v Daryl Gurney
21:20 Glen Durrant v Rob Cross