After a gripping season in the Premier League, the tournament comes to a crescendo on Thursday at London’s O2 Arena. Four finalists – Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, James Wade and Daryl Gurney – will go head-to-head in East London in the semi-finals and final, looking to be crowned the Premier League champion in its fifteenth year.

Van Gerwen and Wade know that feeling. The “Green Machine” has scooped the Premier League crown in the last three seasons, adding to his maiden win in 2013 where he toppled the great Phil Taylor in a sparkling final. James Wade claimed the prize in 2009 to become only the second winner of the competition, following four Taylor wins since the 2005 birth.

With six titles, Phil Taylor still leads the way in the Premier League Hall-of-Fame. “Barney” can lay claim to the most amount of matches played in the format (211), with MVG boasting the biggest match average of 123.40 in 2016. The Dutchman also recorded a 112.37 average in last year’s final over Michael Smith, punctuating his recent dominance in this format.

Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney

Gurney got two wins over MVG in the league stage, so will come into this semi-final with huge confidence. Van Gerwen has blown hot and cold throughout the campaign as well as individual matches; Superchin will fancy rolling into an early lead. The purple patches that the Dutchman will inevitably find may be enough to get him over the line, even if Gurney starts the strongest. 10-7 to van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen 10-7 Gurney @ 6/1 (BetVictor)

Rob Cross vs James Wade

Wade got the edge over Cross in the last league encounter of the 2019 season, however, Cross has arguably been the standout performer over the campaign. These two are so closely matched in their head-to-heads that a 19-leg match wouldn’t be a surprise. Neither look like dropping their throw too often. Back Wade to pinch it late on as The Machine holds his nerve. 10-9 in a thriller.

James Wade to win @ 5/4 (BetVictor)

Predicted final: Michael van Gerwen vs James Wade

Michael van Gerwen to win the 2019 Premier league @ 1/2 (BetVictor)

Despite showing uncharacteristic vulnerabilities in the league stage, Michael van Gerwen still has that extra level that can be reached when the pressure is on. The Dutchman may have lost twice in previous Premier League finals, but with a 100+ average in both of those attempts, it was more of a case of van Barneveld and Anderson stepping up to the plate.

In a race to 11, the Dutchman can be afforded a slower start than usual, without the fear of getting pegged early like in the league stage.

Wade, Cross and Gurney have all proved they can beat the Dutchman on the big stage, but when it really matters will any of them be able to change gear? It may not be as cut and dry as in previous years, but I still fully expect MVG to scoop his fifth Premier League crown on Thursday.

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