Dimitri van den Bergh and Jonny Clayton face a showdown as the Premier League Darts play-off race goes to the wire.
Michael van Gerwen, after a year in the wilderness, is back in the play-off picture. He's joined by Nathan Aspinall, who was last year's runner-up. And the first Premier League Darts debutant confirmed as making the final four is Jose de Sousa. A second newcomer will join them; but which one?
First of all on Night 16, the Marshall Arena plays host to an almighty coming-together, a monumental battle in the impassioned scrap to finish...not last. It's worth a few quid, if not some bragging rights, so Gary Anderson and James Wade at least have something to play for. On the balance of the past couple of nights, Wade looks to be the favourite.
There's a good chance that Nathan Aspinall and Jose de Sousa will be playing each other twice in two days, what with them currently second and third ahead of the play-offs. Aspinall still harbours hopes of topping the table, and needs a victory to leapfrog Michael van Gerwen - albeit with the Dutchman playing afterward. Let's focus on what matters, though; can The Special One break the record for most 180s? It's going to be a close-run thing, with the Portuguese just short of the bar set by Gary Anderson.
Oh, Snakey. You came so close. Peter Wright has done everything possible over the past three nights, but leg difference has scuppered his unlikely play-off bid. He can still claim fifth place, and damage Michael van Gerwen's hopes of topping the table in the process. That could be moot, if Nathan Aspinall fails to win. Regardless, Van Gerwen will be out to finish the league phase in style and gear up for the play-offs.
And so it all comes down to this. DImitri van den Bergh and Jonny Clayton have both had strong starts, fine wins and the odd stale period, and it has led to both being on 16 points after 15 games. Only one of them can claim a place in the final four. Does Van Den Bergh's 7-3 win on Night Eight give him the edge? Or will a four-match winless streak prove costly? There's a lot to be answered, and every indication that this will go down to the wire. It could well be a Premier League classic that closes out the league stage.
Schedule 2021 Premier League Darts
Night 16 - Thursday May 27
19:10 Gary Anderson v James Wade
19:50 Nathan Aspinall v Jose de Sousa
20:30 Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen
21:10 Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jonny Clayton