Joe Cullen and James Wade go into their Premier League Play-Off semi-finals as the underdogs tonight, but both are full of confidence that they can spring a surprise.
Debutant Cullen is taking on defending champion Jonny Clayton at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Monday night, while Wade meets five-time champion Michael van Gerwen.
Clayton downed Cullen in the last of the 16 mini-tournaments in this event, but the result was reversed the week before, with the Yorkshireman beating the Welshman to win Night 15.
The Rockstar and the Ferret are good mates so Cullen knows what to expect from Clayton, and feels he will be in the final if he plays at his peak.
‘I have always felt I was made for the Premier League and I think by getting to the Play-Offs, I’ve justified my spot,’ said Cullen.
‘When I was picked for the Premier League, my aim was to get to Finals Night. I’m there now and I will be ready.
‘I’ve beaten Jonny in a couple of big games this year. He knows what I can do, I know what he can do, so if we both bring our A-game, it should be a cracking night.’
Wade has a tough task ahead of him in Van Gerwen, but beat the Dutchman 10-4 as recently as Saturday at the Nordic Darts Masters so will hold no fears when he takes to the stage in Germany.
‘I believe I have more titles in me,’ said the Machine. ‘I have never reached what I know I’m capable of, but I’ve got loads more in the tank.
‘I know my best stuff is still to come. I have proved people wrong throughout my career, and I will continue to do that for as long as I want to do it.
‘I feel like when I’m in the right mood and I want to switch on, I can produce, so that’s a good thing.
‘I’m not feeling nervous. I’m confident, I feel positive and I’m in a good place.’
Premier League Play-Offs
Semi-Finals – Best of 19 legs
8pm UK time
Jonny Clayton vs Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen vs James Wade
Final – Best of 21 legs
Clayton/Cullen vs Van Gerwen/Wade
Van Gerwen may be the firm favourite with the bookmakers, but he knows what to expect from Wade and is continuing his quest to rediscover the level of performance that saw him win the Premier League five times in seven years from 2013-19.
‘I want to concentrate fully on the Play-Offs now, everything is focused on Monday. I have to make sure my head is right,’ he said.
‘Apart from the World Championship, the Premier League is the biggest tournament, so it’s a very important night for me.
‘I am ready. I have been away from home for 16 weeks and this is the reason why.
‘I know I can do a lot of damage, but James Wade is James Wade. He hasn’t won ten TV tournaments for nothing, so I need to remain sharp and not make any mistakes.’
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MORE : Joe Cullen pleased to ‘shut a few people up’ as he books Premier League Darts Play-Off spot
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