The Ferret Clashes with the League Leader
World Number 7 and former Premier League champion Jonny Clayton will face a hugely anticipated match with current leader Chris Dobey, as Night 3 of the 2023 Premier League Darts makes its return to Glasgow. You can follow the action at the OVO Hydro Arena on Thursday night via darts live scores provided by Flashscore.
The Ferret sits bottom of the table after losing in the Quarter Finals to Dimitri van den Bergh and World Number 1 Michael Smith from the first two nights of action. The Pontyberem player was the only player in 2022 to win four separate night competitions in the debut year of the new Premier League format, finishing top of the Premier League for the first time with 40 points.
Clayton edged out Gary Anderson in Glasgow last year, with the Red Dragon player winning twice in Scotland after he also won in Aberdeen in 2022.
Gerwyn Price picked up his first night victory of this year’s Premier League after he beat Nathan Aspinall 6-3 in the Final on Night 2 in Cardiff, delighting the Welsh faithful who supported him all the way.
The Iceman beat Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in the Semi Finals despite averaging 14 points fewer than the reigning champion, having overcome Chris Dobey by the same scoreline in the Quarter Finals.
The Markham ace has started the year well, with a strong start to the Premier League as well as two appearances in the Finals of the Bahrain Darts Masters and the Nordic Darts Masters.
Price will face reigning World Champion Michael Smith in the Quarter Finals, with Bully Boy only winning the one match in this year’s darting roadshow. The Englishman lost to Michael van Gerwen on the opening night in Belfast before earning his first points last week, as he beat Jonny Clayton 6-2 in the opening tungsten tussle of the night.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen opens Night 3 against fourth placed Nathan Aspinall, with four players in the league so far level on 5pts after two nights played.
Mighty Mike lost in the Final on Night 1, falling to a last leg decider at the hands of debutant Chris Dobey. The Dutchman loves this competition, with just one more Premier League win separating him from becoming the most successful player the tournament has seen.
Michael is still on the hunt for his first night victory in this year’s tournament but will not be fazed as he is level with current leader Chris Dobey, who is ahead on legs difference from second placed Gerwyn Price.
Peter Wright like Jonny Clayton is still looking for his first win in the 2023 Premier League after losing to Chris Dobey on Week 1 and Nathan Aspinall on Week 2.
Snakebite who has won the World Championship twice as well as the World Matchplay, is still yet to get his hands on the Premier League trophy. Only three players in the sport have won all three: Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.
The Scotsman will face Dimitri van den Bergh in the second Quarter Final, with the winner set to face either Gerwyn Price or Michael Smith in the Semi Finals.
Night 3 starts from 7pm live on Sky Sports with 3rd placed Michael van Gerwen facing 4th placed Nathan Aspinall for a spot in the Semi Finals at the OVO Hydro Arena.
By Harry Masterson
Premier League 2023 Night 3: Glasgow Order of Play
Quarter Finals:
Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright v Dimitri van den Bergh
Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith
Jonny Clayton v Chris Dobey
Semi Finals:
Aspinall/ Van Gerwen v Wright/ Van den Bergh
Price/ Smith v Clayton/ Dobey
Final:
Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2