Photo credit: www.skysports.com
Michael van Gerwen Returns to Premier League Darts in Manchester
Michael van Gerwen is set to make his comeback to the Premier League Darts stage in Manchester tonight, just a week after being forced to withdraw from competition due to an unexpected injury in Berlin.
The three-time world champion will begin the evening facing Chris Dobey during Night 10 of the tournament, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Van Gerwen is eager to refocus his efforts in the Premier League following a setback that threatened his chances of reaching the playoffs.
His exit from Night Nine in Berlin came just minutes before he was due to compete against Gerwyn Price. This withdrawal was attributed to a neck injury sustained while he was reportedly “trying on some shirts for sponsors,” according to former PDC player Vincent van der Voort. Van Gerwen’s movement was notably restricted due to this injury.
In addition to missing the Berlin event, he also had to sit out the International Darts Open in Riesa. Following this brief hiatus, Van Gerwen returned to play at the Players Championship 11 and 12 tournaments held in Leicester, although he faced disappointment with consecutive first-round eliminations.
Currently, Van Gerwen occupies the fourth spot in the Premier League standings, with only a one-point lead over Rob Cross in the race for a coveted top-four finish and a shot at the playoffs scheduled to take place at London’s O2 Arena on May 29.
Premier League Highlights: Key Matches
In a highly anticipated encounter, Premier League leader Luke Littler is set to clash with Gerwyn Price. Littler has struggled to secure a victory against Price in their previous meetings, with the Welshman winning their last six contests. Price arrives in Manchester on a strong winning streak, having recently triumphed in the Players Championship 12 final, while Littler was eliminated in the last 16.
“I know he’s obviously got the record and he knows how to beat me but hopefully I can try and get that win over him,” Littler expressed regarding his upcoming match. He acknowledged the challenge but emphasized a focus on performance rather than solely on victory. “I’ll just go up on stage with the same mindset of winning that first game and getting two points on the board,” he added.
What’s Next for the Premier League?
The Premier League continues tonight at the AO Arena in Manchester, featuring not only the Littler versus Price matchup but also Van Gerwen’s duel against Dobey. Below is the lineup for Night 10:
Fixtures: Night 10 at AO Arena, Manchester on Thursday, April 10
- Chris Dobey vs Michael van Gerwen
- Nathan Aspinall vs Rob Cross
- Luke Littler vs Gerwyn Price
- Stephen Bunting vs Luke Humphries
Catch Night 10 of the Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports Action from 7 PM. Tune in to experience the excitement as top darts players showcase their talent.
Source
www.skysports.com