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Premier League Darts: Dave Chisnall faces Wes Newton in relegation battle

Image: Dave Chisnall: Fighting for Premier League lifeline

Dave Chisnall and Wes Newton’s friendship will go out of the window as they face off in Cardiff on Judgement Night in a battle to avoid relegation from the Betway Premier League.

With Simon Whitlock already relegated, Chisnall, Newton and Robert Thornton are in danger in Week Nine of the Premier League, which will see one further star’s season ended prematurely.

All three are level on six points, with Chisnall and Newton facing each other in a win-and-in scenario with the victor guaranteed a place in the closing stages of the competition.

All eye swill then be on Thornton, who has a superior legs difference but faces a resurgent Phil Taylor in the final match of the night.

"It's going to be exciting and it's great for the competition that it's all come down to this week," said Newton. "Dave's in the same position as me, and it's good that we're playing each other.

"It's sudden-death really and if I win then I'll stay in, but if I don't then I could be going home. It's all to play for and I know what I've got to do.

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Crunch game

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"It's a crunch game for all of us and it's going to be very interesting for the neutrals and the crowd to watch. That's what it's about, we want everyone to have a good time, enjoy themselves and go home happy.

"I'm really good friends with Dave. We live quite near to each other and we've travelled together for the past eight weeks so it's going to be a hard game for us both, but at the end of the day you've got to get on stage and want to win.

"It's an individual sport and the rewards are there, so I've got to forget the friendship and get my head down and try and get the two points. I'll give it my all because I want to stay in the Premier League as much as anybody. We've played lots of times before and it's difficult but you have to put your friendship aside."

Chisnall has played well in his debut season in the Premier League Darts but has been left to rue four draws since claiming victory on the opening night in Liverpool.

"I'm loving it, and even when I've not got the results I've still enjoyed the crowds and the rest of the experience," said Chisnall. "I've been trying to take it one game at a time, and I felt good last week. I wanted to get a point in Dublin so that at least I could take it to the last game against Wes.

"Last week in Dublin, I went off around the shops with Wes on the Thursday so I don't know what I'll do this week, because I'm playing him! I love it that it's between us and I'll be going out to win it, but hopefully I can hit my doubles like I did in Dublin and I'll be okay."

Judgement Night Fixtures

Anderson v Wright
Van Gerwen v Whitlock
Lewis v Van Barneveld
Newton v Chisnall
Taylor v Thornton

Thornton confident

Former UK Open champion Thornton, meanwhile, is hoping the result before goes his way, but knows he can beat Taylor if he needs to in the final match.

"I probably should have been safe by now as I've ended up drawing from winning positions a couple of times - but it's still in my own hands and I think most players would've taken that due to the quality of the field," said Thornton.

"Phil has been playing well lately but I know I can beat him if I play my best game, because I've done it before. It may turn out that I don't need to, but whatever the situation is when I get on stage I will treat the match like any other - as a game of darts that I want to win.”

Points are also crucial in the other matches on the night, with jostling for position well underway as players fight it out for a top four spot. Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen coudld get an edge as he plays already relegated Whitlock.

The stars placed third and fourth in the league table, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis, clash in a tasty fixture while the night's other game sees second-placed Peter Wright face fellow Scot Gary Anderson.

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