Wright wants to rival Van Gerwen for top spot as World Championship rematch approaches: "I want to be the number one in the world, so hopefully he can deal with it"

Peter Wright will face Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League opener tonight in a repeat of their brilliant World Championship final clash which saw the former get one over his rival.

Wright spoke ahead of their tie and believes that MVG will not have it all his own way now he has switched manufacturers and that if he makes mistakes, they will be jumped all over especially on the ProTour.

He also has big ambitions now that he has fulfilled darting dreams though and that includes challenging Van Gerwen for that number one spot and to also battle him in all of the major finals.

‘It’s a pity it wasn’t MVG in the final of the Masters but I’m sure he’ll get to a few more finals this year and it’s up to me to stop him winning them,’ Wright told Metro.co.uk ahead of their tie.

‘He’s going to want to get back at me, but with his change of manufacturer and his darts, his confidence is not quite there.

‘To be honest, darts is a cruel game if you’re not quite on it and the Premier League is one of the worst places to be, playing darts in front of thousands of people every week on TV, players will jump all over you.

‘The slightest mistake you make, you will get punished. Whether he can get back up and play in floor tournaments where people really don’t care who you are, playing on the floor, they will just batter you.

‘He might find it hard, but he’s not world number one for no reason.

‘But I’d like to play Michael in the final of all tournaments because he’s the best and number one in the world and I want to be the number one in the world, so hopefully he can deal with it.’