Premier League of Darts 2020: Predicting the final top four

After an astounding first weekend which saw some tantalising clashes, including the return of Scotland's John Henderson to native Aberdeen after last year's incredible match with Michael van Gerwen, we look at the chances of each of the nine Premier League players and predict the final league standings, which will determine the four players who will battle it out to lift the title at the O2 in May.

Glen Durrant and Nathan Aspinall are currently top after the debutantes both sealed 7-3 wins last week. 'Duzza' defeated his adopted arch-rival Michael Smith in a wonderful exhibition of doubles while Aspinall vanquished challenger John Henderson despite a rough crowd for the world No.8.

Another man in for a tough reception was Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney, who couldn't fully deal with Gary Anderson's loud support as the former two-time back-to-back World Champion ran out a 7-5 winner. The only draw of the nights' action was between Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross, in a scrappy contest, although there was good scoring and some high checkouts.

The most high-profile match of the night was the World Championship final rematch where Michael van Gerwen escaped some missed opportunities from Peter Wright early on to win 7-5.

On that note, here's an analysis piece on the prospective stars who could make the playoffs and those who might miss the bus.

Gary Anderson

After an impressive start to the year at the Masters and a first title of the year at the Players Championship floor events on Saturday, Gary Anderson looks to have completely flipped around his form from 2019. A player of undoubted class and talent, Anderson had to withdraw last year with a back injury, starting the concept of challengers as replacements for the tenth player

After a good 7-5 win against Daryl Gurney on the first night, Gary will be targetting a play-off spot in a competition where he wasn't sure how it would go. A very good season could await 'the Flying Scotsman' as Anderson gets his game back on track, so it would be no surprise to see the smooth thrower finish in the top four or even at the league's summit.

Predicted Final League position: 2nd (Will qualify for the playoffs)

Nathan Aspinall

Rising star Nathan Aspinall is one of two players to make their first Premier League appearances in 2020. The 28-year-old Stockport player is a former major tournament winner and last Sunday won a Players Championship floor event, beating Peter Wright in a quarter-final with a 117.5 average to Wright's 113.7, which is a record combined match average.

This would seem to suggest that Aspinall might be a contender for the top four, but he seemed edgy in his first match and facing the big name players later on in the league could be very difficult. It seems a bit harsh given his recent form and good runs in major tournaments in recent times, but we have had to put 'The Asp' at 7th this year.

Predicted Final League position: 7th

Rob Cross

Former World Champion Rob Cross has had an unusual start to the year. A first-round exit at the World Championship and 10-5 loss at the Masters with just an 83.8 average has seen 'Voltage' put in a tricky position. The world number four would usually be odds on to reach the play-offs but this year he falls well behind of that.

A 6-6 draw with Gerwyn Price on night one may be a good sign but inconsistency means a top four place cannot be predicted and we think there are a lot of players more likely to seal a play-off berth. Therefore unfortunately we cannot put the 2019 World Matchplay champion any higher than 8th given his fluctuating form, although every darts fan knows he is well capable of winning the entire competition though.

Predicted Final League position: 8th

Glen Durrant

Middlesbrough's Glen Durrant had an incredible debut season in the PDC last year, reaching three semi-finals at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam before a World Championship quarter-final sealed his Premier League place. A win over Michael Smith on the first night has seen his chances of a top four spot increase but he will have to maintain his trademark consistency if he wants to do so.

While his scoring power isn't as famed as some other competitors here, his doubles hitting is second to none and 'Duzza' is probably the world's best when it comes to setting up and taking out finishes. As far as league standings might go, we say close, but no cigar on this occasion for the three-time back-to-back BDO World Champion. He might very well take a place to continue his major success but his undoing could possibly be patches of bad form due to Premier League inexperience.

Predicted Final League position: 5th

Daryl Gurney

Gurney has been inconsistent recently so may find this to be a tough year.

World No.7 Daryl Gurney has long been one of the sport's top players and 'Superchin' has featured in the last three years of the Premier League, where his highest finish was fourth in 2019 before a defeat in the semi-final to Michael van Gerwen. He hasn't reached the final of a major television tournament since 2018 though and a 17-15 World Matchplay semi-final loss in 2019 to Rob Cross after being 14-7 ahead has contributed to a loss of confidence.

It seems strange saying Daryl Gurney is the favourite for relegation, but that just goes to show how high the standard is in this year's edition of the competition. Gurney's combination finishing is a massive strength that is currently absent, so if it returns he could save himself from relegation this year.

Predicted Final League position: 9th (Relegation)

Gerwyn Price

After an absolutely blistering year last year, only reaching the semi-finals at the World Championship was a bit of a disappointment for Gerwyn Price. Having seen his provisional world No.2 spot snatched away by Peter Wright, he has started this year more quietly and there is generally less excitement about his chances of winning this title.

Unrelenting consistency and passion will help Price immensely in the grueling league stage and he has the game to batter any opposition with scoring power. The tournament third favourite is sure to challenge and we think a top four spot is more than likely.

Predicted Final League Position: 4th (Will qualify for the playoffs)

Michael Smith

After a first-round exit at the latest World Championship, a brutal loss in the 2020 Masters final and defeat at the hands of Glen Durrant on night one, it has been a bleak start for the talent thrower from Liverpool. He would have been targeting the play-offs with some comfort but it looks as if this year could be a very tricky one for the world No.5.

A slow start could ruin his play-off chances, and this appears likely, but one can think he may cause some serious damage later on in the league stage. It might be too late for a top four spot, so a mid-table finish might be the probable position for 'Bullyboy'.

Predicted Final League position: 6th

Michael van Gerwen

Despite failing to win the World Championship final on January 1st, Michael van Gerwen has a big target on his back at the moment. The best player in the world recently switched manufacturers from dutch brand XQmax to Winmau, making him a little vulnerable if opponents take their chances and capitalise on missed opportunities.

Despite this current hinderance, 'MvG' defeated Peter Wright on night one and it looks like he is slowly getting to grips with his new equipment. The tungsten master has finished top of this competition every single year since his debut in 2013 and with no one really leaping out to knock him off the top spot, we cannot put him anywhere else. The play-offs could turn sticky for the green machine though.

Predicted Final League position: 1st (Will qualify for the playoffs)

Peter Wright

The colourful Scottish World Champion had an incredible reception last week in his first Premier League match of this year but a 7-5 loss against rival Michael van Gerwen could mean a slow start to a competition he does not have a great history in. In seven appearances, 'Snakebite' has only reached the playoffs once and in the last two editions has only finished seventh and eighth.

The main difference between now and last year is that his confidence has sky-rocketed since the World Championship win, so he should feel like a different player from those tournaments. There is a good chance Wright might win this tournament, but there is a chance Gary Anderson might finish one place above him in the league.

Predicted Final League position: 3rd (Will qualify for the playoffs)

Edited by Prasen Moudgal