Premier League Darts: Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross to discover play-off rivals

The battle to join Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross in the Premier League Darts play-offs will be settled on Thursday, live on Sky Sports Action at 7pm.

James Wade, Mensur Suljovic, Daryl Gurney and Gerwyn Price are all in contention for the final two spots at next week’s finale.

Here is everything you need to know…

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Gerwyn Price vs Peter Wright

This is the dream match for play-off chasing Price. Wright is rooted to the bottom of the table with just two wins in 15 attempts.

Price needs to win and hope other results go his way. By playing first, he can put massive pressure on Gurney and Suljovic.

The bad news is that ‘Snakebite’ has a cracking record against Price, having won 12 out of 16 career meetings. Wright beat Price earlier this season in the Premier League.

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Daryl Gurney vs Michael Smith

Gurney is level on points and leg difference with fourth-placed Suljovic but behind on legs won, and needs to overtake him.

Because Suljovic is playing Van Gerwen, Gurney is arguably the likeliest player to finish fourth. He needs to better Suljovic’s result on Thursday.

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The lingering concern for Gurney will be Price – they had a bust-up last week but have since apologised to each other.

If Gurney only draws with the already-eliminated Smith, he is liable to be overtaken by Price, who must win.

The tension in the play-off race boiled over last week between Gurney and Price, and Wayne Mardle reacted by calling Gurney “the aggressor” in the fracas.

“It was a pressure-cooker type of atmosphere and that’s what happens I’m afraid,” he said.

Michael van Gerwen vs Mensur Suljovic

Suljovic begins the night within the play-off spots but has a nightmare match-up.

He has beaten Van Gerwen, the defending champion, just four out of 16 times. Van Gerwen won when they met earlier in this Premier League season.

The problem for Suljovic is that even a draw, normally a creditable result against Van Gerwen, leaves him open to be overtaken by Gurney or Price who have much more favourable fixtures.

Beating Van Gerwen would obviously guarantee Suljovic’s qualification. By the time this match begins he will know Gurney and Price’s results so could be pressurised by having to defeat Van Gerwen.

The Dutchman, for his part, is desperate to win the league phase for a seventh consecutive year.

“It would mean a lot if I can finish top,” Van Gerwen said. “I know what it takes but I can only blame myself for being in this position because I’ve lost too many points.”

James Wade vs Rob Cross

Wade is currently third, so is in pole position to qualify for next week’s play-offs. A draw against Cross will be enough to progress by virtue of his leg difference.

He is well-placed to get the points required. Wade has won five out of 11 matches against Cross, although Cross won their Premier League meeting earlier this season.

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