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Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic geared up for Premier League Darts Judgement Night in Liverpool

Wright: "Obviously I need the two points because I want to catch the other guys up ready for the O2. I want to be in the semi-finals which I will be."

Unibet Premier League game at The SSE Arena in Belfast between Simon Whitlock and Peter Wright
Image: Peter Wright secured a crucial point against Simon Whitlock last week in his battle to beat the drop

Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic are both in positive spirits as they battle to avoid Premier League elimination on Judgement Night on Thursday.

With Gerwyn Price already eliminated prior to Judgement Night, either Wright or Suljovic will join the Welshman in departing the tournament following Thursday's action at Liverpool's Echo Arena, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix from 7pm.

Wright squandered six match darts to win the Premier League title last season, but the world No 2 finds himself in danger of elimination this time around after enduring a turbulent campaign, where he's picked up just five points from his opening eight matches.

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The 2017 Premier League runner-up was dragged into an elimination dogfight after suffering three consecutive 7-1 drubbings against Suljovic, Michael Smith and Raymond van Barneveld.

However, he salvaged a crucial point from 6-3 behind against Simon Whitlock last week, which leaves him one point above fellow struggler Suljovic.

Wright has enjoyed an impressive revival by reaching back-to-back European Tour finals over the past fortnight, and the Scot is in bullish mood ahead of his clash with Daryl Gurney.

It just wasn't happening on stage and it seemed like I had no fight in me, I don't know what it was. I can't explain it, but it's all gone now and I'm back to normal."
Wright on his battle for survival

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Snakebite said: "I'm back to playing proper darts now. Hopefully I can get those averages more consistently up to the 110's and 120's which I should be doing. It won't be long before that starts happening.

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"I'm just focused on my game. Obviously I need the two points because I want to catch the other guys up ready for the O2. I want to be in the semi-finals which I will be, so I'll just be concentrating on getting two points against Daryl."

After making a promising start to the league season, Wright endured a sudden slump in form and even he cannot pinpoint what exactly went wrong.

Mardle's Judgement Night Predictions
Mardle's Judgement Night Predictions

Wayne Mardle previews Premier League Darts Judgement Night in Liverpool

"Normally when my game goes off it's in practice as well, and it wasn't. In practice I was hitting 9-darters. It just wasn't happening on stage and it seemed like I had no fight in me, I don't know what it was. I can't explain it, but it's all gone now and I'm back to normal."

Wright is no stranger to the pressure surrounding Judgement Night after he was eliminated from the competition on his second appearance in 2015, yet for Suljovic this is unchartered territory.

"I know how I've got to prepare and I've had the advantage of playing in the Premier League before and this sort of situation, so as long as I play my game, I should do fine," Snakebite said.

UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 2018.MOTORPOINT ARENA.CARDIFF,.WALES.PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG .PETER WRIGHT V MICHAEL VAN GERWEN.PETER WRIGHT IN ACTION
Image: Wright's only Premier League win so far this season came against Michael van Gerwen

Wright could potentially be assured of safety before his match against Daryl Gurney, but he faces a tough task against the Northern Irishman, who has registered successive wins to move into play-off contention. Gurney has also won his last four meetings against Snakebite, so the Scot is well aware of the threat he poses.

"It's good that Daryl's been picked because of his performances in the past two years, he deserves to be in. It's taken him a little time to settle in; he's got a lot of draws against some good players so he's a very difficult customer. I won't take him lightly and I will just go on and play my game."

Can Wright halt Gurney's run?

Daryl Gurney comes into this contest on the back of two straight league wins. He's also bidding for his fifth consecutive victory over Peter Wright.

Wright is renowned for tinkering with his darting equipment, but he appears to have found the right formula after reverting to his tried and tested set-up over recent weeks. However, when asked whether he'll be sticking with his current darts, he quipped: "It looks like it, unfortunately!"

"I know deep down they are the ones, but I just like change sometimes. But at the moment while I'm getting through and playing alright, there's no need to change them."

Whilst Wright remains firmly in control of his own destiny, Suljovic faces an ominous task in a bid to avoid elimination on Judgement Night, as he takes on world No 1 Michael van Gerwen.

UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE 2018.FIRST DIRECT ARENA.LEEDS.PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG.MENSUR SULJOVIC V PETER WRIGHT.MENSUR SULJOVIC IN ACTION
Image: Suljovic faces an uphill task to survive, despite boasting the second highest tournament average

The Champions League of Darts winner has claimed four points from his eight matches and has slipped into the bottom two after suffering three successive defeats, but the debutant admitted that he's loved his Premier League experience thus far.

"It's a brilliant tournament. Everybody is a good player. I am glad I played this tournament. It's the first time I have played in the Premier League; I was nervous but every week is better and better."

Suljovic can consider himself unfortunate to be on the brink of elimination, as he boasts the second-highest tournament average. However, he's been on the receiving end of inspired displays from the likes of Whitlock, Van Barneveld and Cross.

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"I'm a bit unlucky; averages are fine but no win. They've all played well. They've just had the little bit of luck that I haven't. Maybe next year is better. I hope I play next year."

There is cause for optimism for the Austrian, as he's won four of his twelve meetings against Van Gerwen, but he admits he must sharpen up in the finishing department.

"I am really happy that I have played okay. My doubles is a little problem. I practice every day these doubles and they're not coming; maybe in my head it's a problem."

WILLIAM HILL WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2018.ALEXANDRA PALACE,.LONDON.
Image: Suljovic has slipped into the elimination zone after losing his last three games

Whilst 'The Gentle' admits he would love to return and play in next year's event, he hasn't given up on the prospect of survival just yet, as he prepares for his showdown with MVG.

"Michael is the best player at the moment. I have nothing to lose. It's one game; maybe I have a chance. In this moment Michael is a brilliant player; he wins every tournament. I give my best tomorrow, maybe it's the perfect night for me- maybe I win tomorrow."

The 2018 Premier League heads to the Echo Arena in Liverpool for Judgement Night on Thursday, with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix, which you can find on channel 287, and is free for all Sky customers. Six weeks of tungsten action will then continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.

Judgement Night - April 5 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool

Simon Whitlock v Gerwyn Price
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael Smith
Gary Anderson v Rob Cross
Mensur Suljovic v Michael van Gerwen
Daryl Gurney v Peter Wright

Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts

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