Michael van Gerwen sends clear message to Gerwyn Price before Premier League clash

Gerwyn Price faces the daunting prospect of attempting to halt a rampant Michael van Gerwen when the Premier League returns to Birmingham. And the Dutch destroyer has delivered a stark warning after "absolutely destroying" his latest opposition.

Price, 41, has sparked concern of late after revealing his ongoing health struggles and subsequently withdrawing from the World Cup of Darts, a move the Caerphilly-born ace later maintained wasn't related to his wellbeing. 'MVG', meanwhile, defeated compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-5 in the final of Players Championship 15 on Tuesday to secure his first ProTour title since October 2024. And the seven-time Premier League champion oozed confidence as he reflected on his commanding run through the tournament in Leicester.

Van Gerwen, 37, battled through a succession of opponents, first dispatching Dennie Olde Kalter in the opening round before seeing off Adam Lipscombe. He then eliminated Ross Smith and Gian van Veen before overcoming Beau Greaves, Martin Schindler and Van Duijvenbode to claim his first floor title in nearly two years.

"At the beginning of the day I was struggling more with myself, because I had the power in myself but I played okay," he said after the result. "I could have done a little bit more here and there and missed too many doubles.

"But the last three or four games I can't complain. I played fantastic darts against Beau. Martin Schindler, I absolutely destroyed him. Then the final against Dirk, what a day."

Welsh darts ace Price will likely have been keeping a close eye on proceedings as he gears up for his own clash with Van Gerwen. The pair are set to lock horns in the quarter-finals of Thursday's Premier League event in Birmingham, with the victor progressing to face either Josh Rock or Van Veen in the semi-finals.

Opening up about his ongoing health battles, Price remained somewhat guarded on the subject as he said: "My focus is there, it's just health-wise I am not in a great place at the moment. But I am battling on and searching for some results.

"Hopefully in the next couple of weeks they will come and they will put me at ease. Then I will be able to enjoy darts again. Frustrating times. Time to rely on Lady Luck and see what happens over the next two weeks.

"Hopefully make the play-offs but I need a lot of luck to go my way. Hopefully see you at the O2. It's not good playing once a week and hopefully I get the results I want in three weeks' time."

Thursday's fixture is the penultimate night of the Premier League Darts regular season, which is due to wrap up in Sheffield next week. Price currently occupies third in the standings and looks well-placed to secure his spot at Finals Night, while Van Gerwen sits three points adrift in fifth and is desperately chasing a top-four berth.

Van Gerwen has achieved that in all but two of his 13 Premier League appearances to date. He also appears to have struck form at precisely the right moment, averaging a stunning 122.34 as he whitewashed Schindler 7-0.

"I've hit a big average before against Michael Smith in the Premier League but normally you need two good players to do that," he continued. "Because the other player needs to win a leg and then you don't get a shot on your doubles. So your average keeps getting high. But now I had to do it all myself, he only had two darts at a double.

"That gave me a really good feeling. For me, more importantly, after a very long time I won a ProTour today like this and it means a lot. I have been playing well the last couple of weeks with a couple of ton-plus averages.

"That is all part of the game. You have to keep your head going and believe in your own ability. I am playing good darts now so I don't really care."

Victory in Thursday's first round would be the perfect opportunity for either Price or Van Gerwen to steal a march on the other in the Premier League standings. Nevertheless, Luke Littler will prove an enormous obstacle regardless of how results unfold, having claimed each of the last three Premier League evening titles.