Michael van Gerwen meets
Gary Anderson as the
Premier League Darts marches inexorably towards Judgement Night.
The first game is one which, unfortunately, should see
Glen Durrant's relegation confirmed. Duzza wasn't able to stick with Michael van Gerwen, and bar a swift recovery won't hang onto the coattails of the in-form
Jose de Sousa. The Portuguese is unbeaten in his past three games, and if he makes it three wins on the spin, he'll be in the top four - albeit for a short time if other results go against him.
If De Sousa's debut is going well, then
Dimitri van den Bergh can rightly claim to be having a stormer. The Belgian tops the league and will be full of confidence after a ruthless display against
Jonny Clayton.
Rob Cross has played just fine, but it's a results business, and it'll be a very uncomfortable next couple of days if he doesn't get something here.
The debutants have naturally got the acclaim so far, but
Nathan Aspinall deserves huge credit. A year on from reaching the top four and the playoff final, and after claims that he'd be struck down with 'second season syndrome', the Asp is battling it out at the top. That makes this meeting with Jonny Clayton, who dipped from first to fourth in the space of a night, a key clash in the developing playoff battle.
James Wade finds himself in the bottom two and in trouble with three games left. With Clayton and Van Den Bergh awaiting him, the Machine needs points sooner rather than later. He'll at least be encouraged by maintaining a good average against Jose de Sousa despite defeat. Defeat will leave him in trouble, but victory over
Peter Wright - who's only a point better off - opens things right up.
Michael van Gerwen was never likely to play his best stuff against Glen Durrant, and so moves on swiftly with two points and no second thoughts. Next up he plays Gary Anderson, who isn't at all happy with how he's playing. It could be somewhat of a moody encounter, particularly if one (or both) can't get the win that removes the dwindling threat of a relegation battle.
Schedule 2021 Premier League Darts
Night Seven - Tuesday April 20
19:10 Glen Durrant v Jose de Sousa
19:50 Rob Cross v Dimitri van den Bergh
20:30 Nathan Aspinall v Jonny Clayton
21:10 Peter Wright v James Wade
21:50 Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson