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Premier League Darts 2020 Night Eight preview and order of play: MVG and Duzza poised for top of the table clash

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Durrant denies Van Gerwen to top the Premier League table as Gurney moves off the bottom

Durrant acknowledges ‘lack of respect’ from Van Gerwen ahead of Premier League clash

Jamie Shaw in Premier League Darts 26 Aug 2020
Duzza aims to stop the rot (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Glen Durrant admits Michael van Gerwen has shown him little respect since he joined the PDC and is fired up in his quest to remain unbeaten against the Dutchman.

Van Gerwen and Durrant are locked in a battle for top spot in the Premier League table, with MVG leading the way by virtue of legs difference.

The three-time World Champions go head-to-head in a mouth-watering clash at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on Wednesday and have exchanged words in the build-up to the contest.

Van Gerwen, who has lost both of his previous meetings with the Middlesbrough marksman, has been critical of Duzza’s methodical approach on stage.

“Glen is a phenomenal player, you have to play your ‘A-game’ if you want to beat him,” said Van Gerwen.

“He’s not only a good player but a boring player, he drags the energy out of you.

“It’s tough to play him because he’s like a silent killer.

“He’s always doing something at the right moments and fair play, it suits his game but I only need to worry about my own game.

“I’m not bothered that I lost twice to him before, it’s only two games.

“I lost two games to Toon Greebe before and I’m two-nil down to him as well; that doesn’t say anything.

“I need to beat him and if I do the same [as Tuesday] I will beat him.”

Van Gerwen returned to the top of the table after a ruthless 7-2 victory over Rob Cross on Tuesday, while Durrant had to settle for a 6-6 draw with Peter Wright.

Semi-finalist in last month’s World Matchplay, Durrant has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League so far and is determined to make it three wins in a row over MVG.

“Michael hasn’t shown me an awful lot of respect since I joined the PDC,” admitted Durrant.

“We’re not best friends, we don’t practice with each other, we don’t say hello or a great deal.

“He’s the best player in the world and I’m happy to say that on record, but I really, really want to beat him.

“I feel good going into one of my biggest nights of my life.

“My first reflection at the end of last night’s game was that it wasn’t a good point because I felt I was in charge of the match.

“But when you’re playing the World Champion, he’s a phenomenal player so I probably would’ve taken a 6-6 result before the match.”

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