Premier League Darts 2020 schedule: Night Thirteen, Wednesday September 2

PDC
Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 17:50
PREMLGE ABERDEEN GROUP1

We've gone a whole two days without Premier League Darts action. Ready for more?

You might recall, from way back on Night Twelve, that Glen Durrant fired in a 102 average and an 8-3 mauling of Daryl Gurney. The victory moves Duzza onto 19 points, six clear of fifth-placed Nathan Aspinall. A playoff spot's almost confirmed, but look beyond that. Durrant could still reach 27 points, on debut, in an astronomically high-quality field. This isn't just a tilt at the title; it's potentially up there with the best Premier League Darts performances ever.
The three-time world champion's not free and clear just yet, of course. He can extend his unbeaten streak to nine with a win over Michael Smith, who has five defeats from his last seven, having been joint-top with tonight's opponent after Night Five. That's a distant memory now. Sixth-placed Smith has to grab a win here to stay in contention. The Bully Boy isn't being heavily outplayed by anyone, but that's what's most galling for him. If he had more of Durrant's "boring" ruthlessness, he'd be right up there with the 49-year-old.

Gurney the decider

Daryl Gurney is no longer billed as the relegation candidate. He's not really a playoff contender either - bar some miracle where he overhauls a five-point deficit in four days. What Gurney is, in fact, is a kingmaker. The former Grand Prix champion showed some classic grit to send Peter Wright packing, which has had a big impact on Snakebite's top four hopes. He can now deal a hammer blow to Gary Anderson, with the Flying Scotsman currently sitting pretty in second but having the potential to drop to fourth by the end of the night.
On paper, Peter Wright's having a stinker. He's the only player to have lost his last three matches on the spin. Yet in those three games, he's averaged 101, 103 and 107, and claimed his first ever televised nine-darter. So there's not much to fix. He can make himself feel a bit better by recreating the magic of his World Championship final triumph over Michael van Gerwen. Mighty Mike's building his confidence again after a wobble, it'd be very interesting to see how he recovers should Wright crush his momentum.

Aspinall on the slide?

Glen Durrant's of course making some big headlines, but Nathan Aspinall has also had a fantastic debut Premier League Darts season. It's rare that a debutant looks totally at home, yet both have this year. However, while Durrant continues his ascendancy, Aspinall is starting to fade. A narrow 8-6 defeat to Gary Anderson made it three defeats from five (after being beaten just twice in his first seven), and now he sits fifth. All of his last five games have swung on just one break of throw either way, so it may just be a case of holding his nerve when the finish line comes into view.
Gerwyn Price is heading in the opposite direction. The Welshman has recovered from a losing streak earlier in the season, and four wins from five puts him above Aspinall on account of superior leg difference. A big factor is the Iceman's double success rate improving, while the scoring has stayed about as strong as ever. Heavy scoring will be needed here; Aspinall has scored between 140 and 180 in 149 visits to the oche - more than any other Premier League Darts rival.
Click here for more information on the 2020 Premier League Darts, including the fixtures and prize money breakdown.

Schedule Premier League Darts

Wednesday September 2
Milton Keynes – Marshall Arena

19:10 Glen Durrant v Michael Smith
19:55 Daryl Gurney v Gary Anderson
20:40 Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen
21:25 Gerwyn Price v Nathan Aspinall