Following a week of disruption caused by Storm Emma that saw the Exeter PLD night cancelled and the UK Open played behind closed doors, the Premier League Darts season resumes from Leeds.
Two men who had first match exits at Minehead meet in the night's opener as reigning PL champion Michael van Gerwen faces Australia's Simon Whitlock. While MVG's defeat by Jeffrey de Zwaan in round 3 was a monumental upset, the Wizard crashing out to Ian White at the same stage was rather overlooked; the Dutchman can temporarily return to the top spot with a 7-4 win or better.
Panto follows with "hero" Raymond van Barneveld playing "villain" Gerwyn Price. Barney hasn't won a TV game since February, and the Iceman hasn't won a single PL match yet, but his run to the UK Open quarterfinals should give him confidence to finally get off the mark and avoid being cut further adrift at the bottom.
The only big name absentee from the UK Open follows as Austria's Mensur Suljovic goes up against "Scot" Peter Wright. With the Gentle not having played for a fortnight for family reasons, he may be a bit rusty, but as for Krusty, this will be the perfect chance to avenge his own round 3 shocker after losing to Ulster teenager Nathan Rafferty.
The UK Open champion then takes to the stage with Gary Anderson playing Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney. In a rare occasion of Gando taking a minor major seriously, he dominated the field and deservedly won the title; Superchin on the other hand must win otherwise relegation beckons.
Closing the night is the league's only unbeaten player against the World Champion as Michael Smith takes on Rob Cross. Bully Boy bombed at Butlin's, crashing out in the last 16 when he should have made it to Sunday, while Voltage was shorted by the Flying Scotsman. Smith could make it 5 from 5 here and keep his impressive run going, but Cross is back in form after a poor start to his PL season.
Coverage starts from 7:00pm UK time on Sky Sports Action.
>Tonight's fixtures (7:00pm GMT start, all matches best of 12 legs MvGOAuTism v STRAYA Gerwyn "Gurning" Price v Barney Snakeshite v Mensur "DIE MEISTER, DIE BESTEN" Suljovic Gary "Big Game Counter" Anderson v Daryl "Sweet C4-line" Gurney Rob "BAuLDtism" Cross v Michael "Snackpot 2.0" Smith
>League sponsors Approved Garages' Find Axle challenge (with some woeful depictions of the PL players) youtube.com/watch?v=dxmpJmIeZIk
Charles Martinez
kek that filename
Jackson Bell
>mfw reading your summary posts on the weekend of the UK Open What an absolute meme tournament it must have been.
David James
>LEEDS
Caleb Russell
It was so odd it made Lakeside look normal.
>no crowds whatsoever >John Part making the last 8 >MVG and Wright losing to children >the emergence of Cadby >Gando winning an ITV major
I'll be surprised if they return to Butlin's in 2019.
Isaac Peterson
Based Johnny Fat, wish I'd seen that. Van Gherkin losing to some nobody after his unbeaten run in ITV tournaments was hilarious. And it's good to see Cadby delivering again - with Phil gone, darts needs a good heel again.
Nathaniel Garcia
Ha ha, time for /180/. Forgot to tune in last Thursday, wanted to check results on Friday, and saw that it was cancelled. Felt like dark magic.
Pretty much this.
Chase King
In all fairness, MVG lost to De Zwaan who is a decent player. Been on the come-up for a bit now.
Jacob Price
JdZ is brilliant and has been for a long time. His game against Blubby at the Worlds a few years ago was wonderful.
Just hasn't had the consistency recently but has been ripping it up since getting back his Tour Card. Don't think anyone expected him to dominate MVG like that though.
Brody Rivera
And we're on now.
Julian Bailey
Thought De Zwaan was classy about the win too. Shook MVGs hand, didnt yell or do some dumb fist pump shit, just acted like a professional.
Angel Baker
THE GREATEST YEAR OF HIS LIFE
Leo Long
Cadby actually didn't act at all heel-ish during the UK Open. I'm afraid that he's making a face turn.
Justin Rodriguez
>australian_national_anthem.mp3
Aaron Jones
australian_national_anthem.wav
>I'm afraid that he's making a face turn. ...maybe it's all just an act
Levi Torres
Stands are half-empty.
>is this a BDO event in disguise?
Eli Stewart
Leeds doesn't know what the Premier League is.
They've not been in one since 2004.
Ayden Wright
>mfw when you win the last ever First Division title yet nobody remembers it because it wasn't Premier League title
Xavier Murphy
>van Autism
Xavier Martinez
...
Austin Lewis
>breaking MvG
Elijah Ward
>Gherkin
Anthony Nelson
The banter between Mardle and Part without any real commentators bothering them is actually really enjoyable. I wish Part would be commentating more ofter.
Colton Perez
It seems MVG is still rattled by Minehead
Noah Morris
Can't believe MVG is finished as a player. RIP.
Justin Cruz
Looks like his little run is finally over
Luis Stewart
>Cadby taking over the tour >Whitlock running the PL
Looks like we have a new superpower
Oliver Gonzalez
Back to normal...?
Noah Evans
...
Levi Scott
Why is Whitlock so quick to jump off number? Lots of 20/19/18 throws.
Landon Thomas
Any streams lads?
Grayson Hughes
...
Adrian Martin
Has MVG been huffing paint fumes before he's come on stage
