The path to Berlin is almost complete after the penultimate night of the regular season in the Premier League at London’s O2.
Next up is the last stop before the play-offs in Germany – Newcastle on May 26. Unlike the other weeks, the line-up had not been predetermined and instead relied on the league positions after week 15 in London.
And following an intriguing night at O2, won by Joe Cullen, we now know the Newcastle matches, plus which players have qualified, which players are still fighting to break into the top four and which players are merely playing for the £10,000 prize money on the night.
Issues at the top and bottom of the table are already settled as Jonny Clayton will finish top and Gary Anderson will finish bottom, meaning the pair will meet on Tyneside.
Second-placed Michael van Gerwen will once again take on Michael Smith, who cannot reach the play-offs. The other definite top-four qualifier is James Wade, who will meet Gerwyn Price, who suffered a quarter-final defeat to Clayton at the O2 and is now out of play-off contention.
The tastiest match of the Newcastle night will see Cullen, who has jumped up from sixth to the all-important fourth spot, face Wright, who has dropped out of the play-offs positions. The match will be a repeat of their semi-final clash in London, where a resurgent Cullen stormed to a 6-1 win. While the pair are level on points, Cullen has the edge on matches won.
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Premier League week 16 line-up – Newcastle
Jonny Clayton vs Gary Anderson
Joe Cullen vs Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen vs Michael Smith
James Wade vs Gerwyn Price
As for the Berlin line-up, that is partially confirmed. Clayton will face the fourth-place finisher, set to be Wright or Cullen, unless either can overhaul James Wade and pinch third spot. The other semi will pit second-place man, Michael Van Gerwen, against the third-place finisher, likely to be Wade.
After Newcastle, there will be a pause before the play-offs, which will not take place until Monday, June 13 and will be swiftly followed by the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt.
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