Wright to Face Old Foe MVG in PL Opener

New World Champion Peter Wright will face a final repeat performance against Michael van Gerwen in Aberdeen. The Livingston ace will get his first homecoming as a world supremo in the Unibet Premier League at Aberdeen’s new P&J Arena on February 6. But Snakebite will face old foe MVG in front of his home fans in what is set to be a cracking clash on opening night. However it means Challenger John Henderson avoids Van Gerwen this year and takes on UK Open champ Nathan Aspinall. Henderson said: “It’s going to be such an amazing night again. I’m happy not to face Michael this year, that was tough. “But Nathan is still one hell of a player, he is so hard to beat and has already reached the last two World Championship semi-finals. “Whatever happens it’s going to be a huge night. I can’t wait to play again in front of my local crowd. The atmosphere will be absolutely magic.” Wright claimed World Championship glory on New Year's Day at Alexandra Palace as he defeated Van Gerwen 7-3 to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy and take the Dutchman's mantle as World Champion. Van Gerwen, though, will be aiming for revenge as he opens his challenge to win an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title in their meeting at the new P&J Live in Aberdeen in front of a sell-out 8,000. The opening night will also see Scottish hero Gary Anderson make his Premier League return against Daryl Gurney, while newcomer Glen Durrant plays Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price takes on Rob Cross. Fallon Sherrock, who created history as the first female to taste victory at the World Championship in December, will appear as a Challenger on Night Two in Nottingham, taking on three-time BDO Champion Durrant. The night also features a rematch of the 2019 UK Open final as Aspinall plays Cross, while Scottish World Cup champions Wright and Anderson face off and Van Gerwen plays Gurney. Another much-awaited clash will be between Anderson and Price in Rotterdam, another repeat of their feisty Grand Slam final of 2018. By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia) Full Premier League fixture list is available here.