Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright contest Premier League play-offs
Friday 19 May 2017 13:46, UK
We profile the four finalists for Thursday's Premier League Darts play-offs with form, expert analysis and their own thoughts.
Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Phil Taylor take to the oche on Thursday as Premier League Darts 2017 reaches its dramatic conclusion and we could not have asked for a better line-up.
Van Gerwen, Anderson and Wright are the top three players in the world rankings and with one place up for grabs heading into finals night in Aberdeen last week it was 16-time world champion Phil Taylor who kept alive hopes of a fairy-tale finish in his final season.
The Power has six Premier League crowns to his name but having confirmed this will be his last year on the circuit, he will hope his semi-final against red-hot Wright, who is making his Finals Night debut, is not his final throw of a Premier League dart.
Van Gerwen and Anderson contest the second semi-final and the winners will then return to meet in the final, both men targeting a third Premier League crown
The action is underway on Sky Sports 3 from 7pm and here is all you need to know
Michael van Gerwen (1st) Semi-Final - v Gary Anderson
Regular Season Meetings - Van Gerwen 6-6 Anderson (Week 1) Van Gerwen 7-4 Anderson (Week 15)
Premier League History - Winner (2016, 2013)
Expert's verdict - I spoke to Michael when he came off stage last week, he opened up and said 'That was hard work, nothing came easy'. He thinks he is making life hard for himself, but it's just his doubles. Wayne Mardle
In his own words
Peter Wright (2nd) Semi-Final - v Phil Taylor
Regular Season Meetings - Taylor 7-5 Wright (Week 8) Taylor 3-7 Anderson (Week 13)
Premier League History - Final Night debut (best league finish of 5th)
Expert's verdict - For Peter winning the UK Open means it is now easier for him to win the Premier League. It could have been 'I have another opportunity to fail' but now having been successful he is a completely different animal. Wayne Mardle
In his own words
Phil Taylor (3rd) Semi-Final - v Peter Wright
Regular Season Meetings - Taylor 7-5 Wright (Week 8) Taylor 3-7 Anderson (Week 13)
Premier League History - Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012)
Expert's verdict - He has beaten them all this season and he will not fear anyone. Phil, like all of them, will be thinking this is there for the taking.
We don't have to see 115 averages to win, Phil has averaged that before and lost - it's about the timing and maybe Phil is timing his run. Wayne Mardle
In his own words
Gary Anderson (4th) Semi-Final - v Michael van Gerwen
Regular Season Meetings - Van Gerwen 6-6 Anderson (Week 1) Van Gerwen 7-4 Anderson (Week 15)
Premier League History - Winner (2011 & 2015)
Expert's verdict - I'm predicting Gary Anderson because I think he has a way of timing his performances on a need basis. He didn't really need it in Aberdeen but he will turn up in London. It's so tough to pick but I think somehow Gary has the magic. John Part
In his own words
You can see all the action from The O2 in London, with the semi-finals and final in one night on Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports 3 HD, including Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor v Peter Wright.
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