Michael van Gerwen is targeting a fifth Unibet Premier League title in Thursday’s Play-Offs, with Rob Cross, James Wade and Daryl Gurney also hoping to claim the prestigious title at The O2 in London.
Reigning Premier League and World Champion Van Gerwen is seeking to avenge his double defeats to Gurney in this year’s tournament when the pair meet in the opening semi-final of the night.
With either Cross or Wade awaiting the winner in the final later in the night, Van Gerwen insists that he has his sights firmly set on overcoming Gurney and maintaining his bid for the £250,000 top prize.
Gurney’s victory over Michael Smith on Night 16 in Leeds meant the Northern Irishman finished fourth in just his second Premier League campaign.
The world number three is plotting a third consecutive Premier League victory over Van Gerwen in 2019, a feat never before achieved in the history of the competition.
The second semi-final will see 2009 champion Wade take on former World Champion Cross in a repeat of last Thursday’s clash in Leeds, which saw Wade run out an 8-6 winner.
Wade will make his first Play-Offs appearance since 2013, and looking ahead to his return to The O2, was feeling confident of his chances of doubling his Premier League title tally.
Cross will be making his second successive Play-Offs appearance in as many Premier League campaigns, having suffered a semi-final defeat to Van Gerwen at last year’s event.
The 2018 World Champion was hampered by a sternum injury in last year’s Play-Offs, and Cross is looking forward to enjoying the experience this time around.
Unibet Premier League of Darts – Outright
Michael Van Gerwen – 1/2
Rob Cross – 4/1
James Wade – 7/1
Daryl Gurney – 12/1
Semi-Finals Match Odds
1/5 Michael Van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney 7/2
8/13 Rob Cross v James Wade 13/10