Unibet Premier League Play-Offs race: Who will make the final four?
With one day to go until the Unibet Premier League returns, we take a look at the race to reach the Play-Offs which sees all eight players still in the hunt for the title.
The race for the top four will reach its climax in Milton Keynes, with the league phase Nights 13-16 taking place from Monday May 24 - Thursday May 27.
The top four players will then return to the Marshall Arena stage for the Play-Offs on Friday May 28 where the champion will be crowned in front of a sell-out crowd!
Here, we take a look at the runners and riders as the top four race heads into the home straight.
Michael van Gerwen
Current Position: 1st
Points (Leg-Difference): 17 (+21)
Remaining Fixtures: Aspinall, Anderson, De Sousa, Wright
Past Play-Off Appearances: 7, Winner 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Unibet Title Odds: 13/8
Having endured a tough time in 2020 which saw him incredibly miss out on the Play-Offs for the first time, Van Gerwen is back in familiar territory at the top of the pile.
The Dutchman has shown signs of a return to his best of late, and is favourite to reclaim the title with title sponsor Unibet.
Nathan Aspinall
Current Position: 2nd
Points (Leg-Difference): 15 (+15)
Remaining Fixtures: Van Gerwen, Wade, Anderson, De Sousa
Past Play-Off Appearances: 1, Runner-Up 2020
Unibet Title Odds: 6/1
Despite coming within one match of the title in 2020, Aspinall came into this year's event as one of the outsiders following an unconvincing run of form.
However, the two-time TV title winner has burst back into life in this year's campaign and is looking good for back-to-back Play-Off appearances in his first two years in the Premier League.
Dimitri van den Bergh
Current Position: 3rd
Points (Leg-Difference): 15 (+7)
Remaining Fixtures:De Sousa, Wright, Wade, Clayton
Past Play-Off Appearances
:0
Unibet Title Odds:3/1
After years of promise, 27-year-old Van den Bergh is now taking his place among the sport's elite and is one of three debutants in the top four race.
The dancing Belgian, rated as second-favourite for the title with Unibet, will be hoping to taste glory on the Marshall Arena stage for second time in ten months, having sensationally won the World Matchplay on debut in 2020.
Jose de Sousa
Current Position:4th
Points (Leg-Difference): 4 (+12)
Remaining Fixtures: Van den Bergh, Clayton, Van Gerwen, Aspinall
Past Play-Off Appearances: 0
Unibet Title Odds: 13/2
With his unique laid-back style and relentless 180-hitting ability, De Sousa has proved a valuable addition to this year's Premier League line-up.
The Portuguese debutant overcame a slow start to fight his way into the Play-Off race, with his fate now in his own hands as he occupies fourth spot heading into the last four league phase nights.
Jonny Clayton
Current Position: 5th
Points (Leg-Difference): 14 (+4)
Remaining Fixtures: Anderson, De Sousa, Wright, Van den Bergh
Past Play-Off Appearances: 0
Unibet Title Odds: 6/1
Another impressive debutant, Clayton leads the chasing pack in fifth-place thanks to his flying start which saw him top the table after Night Five.
A run of four winless matches followed, but the Welshman picked up two victories in his last three matches to stay in the fight for the top four.
Gary Anderson
Current Position: 6th
Points (Leg-Difference): 12 (0)
Remaining Fixtures: Clayton, Van Gerwen, Aspinall, Wade
Past Play-Off Appearances: 7, Winner 2011, 2015
Unibet Title Odds: 16/1
Anderson knows more than most how to reach the Play-Offs, having made it to Finals Night on seven occasions - the same as Van Gerwen.
The two-time Premier League champion has enjoyed mixed fortunes throughout the campaign, but remains handily placed to mount a late charge.
James Wade
Current Position: 7th
Points (Leg-Difference): 11 (-1)
Remaining Fixtures: Wright, Aspinall, Van den Bergh, Anderson
Past Play-Off Appearances: 6, Winner 2009
Unibet Title Odds: 22/1
One of only three former champions in the race, it has been an up-and-down campaign for Wade.
A late replacement for Gerwyn Price at the start of the competition, Wade will be looking to make the most of his chance and fight for the top four all the way to the end.
Peter Wright
Current Position: 8th
Points (Leg-Difference): 9 (-16)
Remaining Fixtures: Wade, Van den Bergh, Clayton, Van Gerwen
Past Play-Off Appearances: 2, Runner-Up 2017
Unibet Title Odds: 100/1
A wretched run of four successive defeats has left Wright with only faint hopes of a third Play-Off berth in 2021.
Realistically, the Scot must take a 7-8 point haul from his four remaining matches if he is to miraculously force his way into the Play-Off picture.