Premier League Preview - Gurney Aims to Pull off 'Mission Impossible'
Daryl Gurney has vowed he will “never give up” as he aims to pull off a Unibet Premier League ‘Mission Impossible’.
The Northern Irishman must win his final two matches and hopes other results go his way to have any hope of making the top four.
However, Superchin hasn't given up hope of appearing at The O2, despite trailing fourth-placed Gary Anderson by three points going into the final two games of the campaign.
Gurney, who plays Michael Smith in Birmingham tonight, said: “I'm one of the best players in the world for one reason – I never give up. I don't care who I’m playing, I never, ever give up and I never give my opponent an easy game.
“I’ve been practicing really well and all I have to do is replicate that high-scoring on the Premier League stage."
Rob Cross, Michael Smith and Gary Anderson can secure their places in the O2 Play-Offs in the second city.
World Champion Cross, who sits third, and second-placed Smith need just one more point to seal their spots at The O2 on May 17.
Having battled his way to successive 6-6 draws with Peter Wright and Raymond van Barneveld in the past fortnight, Cross will be looking to keep his unbeaten run going against Michael van Gerwen in Birmingham.
Cross added: “It's a massive challenge. He’s the World No1 for a reason and he's fantastic, so you know you've got to play well to beat him.
“I want to secure my place in the Play-Offs and I'm feeling positive. Every week's been a new experience for me and it's all still a learning curve.
“I couldn't have predicted how things went in the first couple of weeks but I've adapted since and it's been a great experience.”
Smith can clinch his first appearance in the Play-Offs against Gurney, who is the only player outside the top four who can still make the top four.
Anderson could end Gurney's hopes of making the final four if he can pick up a win over Van Barneveld.
The Scottish star could also qualify with a draw against Van Barneveld if Gurney fails to beat Smith.
The opening game of the evening will see Wright take on Simon Whitlock and, while both players know they won't be appearing at The O2, the Australian ace insists he will be giving it his all.
Whitlock said: “I don't want to finish eighth, but I'll just play each game as it comes now and hopefully play the darts I know I can.
“I know I'm not going to make the Play-Offs, but I'm going to try my heart out every single week. I love playing darts and I love the Premier League.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)
Photography courtesy of Lawrence Lustig / PDC