Schedule & Preview for Night 12 of 2021 Premier League Darts featuring Van Gerwen against Wade

Michael van Gerwen takes on James Wade as the first of three players who could end Night 12 top of the Premier League Darts standings.

The mass tussle for top spot is just one of the reasons that Friday night's action is particularly exciting; another key factor is that, all being well and good, this is the end of stage events without fans. When we next return to the Premier League Darts on May 24, we'll finally be - sort of - back to normal.

Night 12 starts with two players who have no concept of 'normal'. Peter Wright, who almost made it through half a match without changing darts, had a bit of a nightmare against Gary Anderson. He has to pick things up against Jose de Sousa, or his play-off hopes look slim indeed. De Sousa is fourth, but should be a point better off, having spectacularly lost control of a helter-skelter draw with James Wade.

While the Portuguese was left reeling, Wade afforded himself a gleeful fist-pump after nicking a draw. And why not? Every point counts, and the Machine scrapped for this one. Next up is Michael van Gerwen, who'll occupy top spot on his own for at least a short while with a win or a draw. Beyond winning, the Dutchman's objective has to be consistency; his averages are a useful metric for what has been a bizarrely topsy-turvy season. Mighty Mike will be mindful of Wade turning him over on Night Four - a trick he will not want to see repeated.

Jonny Clayton's performances have generally been a joy to behold, so we'll call his defeat to Van Gerwen a rare off-night. There's still plenty for the Welshman to be positive amount, not least having the chance to put a ferret among the pigeons by beating Nathan Aspinall. The Asp won't be worried by losing just a second Premier League Darts game of the season against an inspired Dimitri van den Bergh, but a second straight loss could give him pause for thought.

There's been a fair bit of talk about young guns and old dogs, with Nathan Aspinall claiming the youngsters are set to take over.  Gary Anderson can strike a blow for the old guard if he can take down Dimitri van den Bergh, who is only third on account of leg difference. Anderson got better and better as his game against Peter Wright went on, and perhaps it's a sign that he's back in business.

Objectively speaking, a win for Anderson (plus Wright, Wade and Clayton) would set up one corker of a Premier League Darts league phase finale in front of an audience that deserves to see the best darting drama.

19:10 Peter Wright v Jose de Sousa

19:55 Michael van Gerwen v James Wade

20:40 Jonny Clayton v Nathan Aspinall

21:25 Dimitri Van den Bergh v Gary Anderson