Three-times Premier League Darts champion Michael van Gerwen will aim to make it four wins in the marquee PDC event on Thursday evening, and the deadly Dutch dynamo will head into the Finals Night at London's 02 Arena as a red-hot favourite.
However, van Gerwen will face three notable rivals in the showpiece finale as two-times winner Gary Anderson aims to make it a hat-trick of wins in the event, while world champion Rob Cross and 'Bully Boy' Michael Smith will also line up at the oche in the capital, with only prevailing on a night that is set to produce some stunning darting fireworks.
In a different format to the league campaign the two semi-finals will be played over 19 legs and the final will conclude the evening's play over 21 legs, and we preview both semi-finals here.
1st Semi-Final - 7:20pm - Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross
A repeat of the 2018 World Championship semi-final, these two giants of the game will do battle in the first eliminator, and while Rob Cross defeated Michael van Gerwen in that epic semi-final at the Alexandra Palace it will be van Gerwen that lines up in this match as the red-hot jolly.
van Gerwen has trounced Cross 7-2 in their previous two Premier League matches this campaign, and 'Mighty' Mike topped the Premier League table to qualify for Finals Night in first place. The longer format should help Cross slightly, but if van Gerwen can produce his best darts then there's not a player on the planet that can live with him, and if he can get an early lead then it's hard to see Cross being able to whittle down MvG's advantage, and the Dutchman can make it through to the final.
Previous Meetings In Premier League This Season
- Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Rob Cross (Week 1, Dublin - 1st February)
- Rob Cross 2-7 Michael van Gerwen (Week 13, Birmingham - 3rd May)
2018 Premier League Record
- Michael van Gerwen - Played 16 - Won 11, Draw 1, Lost 4 (23pts +43 legs difference)
- Rob Cross - Played 16 - Won 8, Draw 3, Lost 5 (19pts +5 legs difference)
2nd Semi-Final - 8:30pm - Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson knows what it takes to win the Premier League having lifted the trophy in 2011 and 2015, but the 'Flying Scotsman' will have to get past Michael Smith, who has been the surprise package in this year's event, as having finished 10th in the 2016 Premier League, 'Bully Boy' finished second in the standings, and he will be looking to book his place in the final with another notable win.
Anderson's experience means he will start the match a warm favourite, but both he and Smith have been suffering with niggling injuries in recent times, so they will be hoping they can be firing on all cylinders come 8:30pm on Thursday night, and both will be looking to win the early legs to try and get a stranglehold on the match.
The pair have met twice in the tournament so far, with both notching a win, so form-wise they are closely matched, but Anderson's big-match experience could see him progress to meet van Gerwen in the final, and set up a marquee showpiece to what has been a fabulous tournament.
Previous Meetings In Premier League This Season
- Gary Anderson 5-7 Michael Smith (Week 1, Dublin - 1st February)
- Michael Smith 2-7 Gary Anderson (Week 11, Rotterdam - 18th April)
2018 Premier League Record
- Michael Smith - Played 16 - Won 9, Draw 2, Lost 5 (20pts +24 legs difference)
- Gary Anderson - Played 16 - Won 8, Draw 3, Lost 5 (19pts +15 legs difference)
The Final
Unsurprisingly, reigning champion Michael van Gerwen is odds-on to lift the Premier League trophy, and the final will see an epic best-of-21 legs clash conclude the event, but all four players will head to London tomorrow night thinking they can etch their name on the coveted crown, and duly pick up the monster cheque for £250,000.
One thing is for sure it's going to be a sensational night of top quality darts, and you will be able to follow all the action here at The Sportsman.
Enjoy darts fans!
