SMITH AIMS FOR FIRST PL TITLE

MICHAEL SMITH wants to bury the memory of five years ago and land his first Premier League title. 

The St.Helens ace is aiming to join an elite club of just three other players who have won the World Championship and Premier League in the same year. 

Smith, 32, was comfortably beaten by MVG in the final in 2018 but believes the occasion won’t get to him this time. 

Only Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson have done it before but Smith needs to overcome MVG to give himself a chance at the O2 in London tonight. 

He said: “I feel like I've played really well in spells, but it's about coming here now and winning this title.

“I always believe I'm the favourite, I always believe in myself, believe in the process and hopefully it all comes together tomorrow.

“When I lost to Michael in the Premier League final, I also lost to him in the World Championship that year, so hopefully history repeats itself five years on, and I can beat him in the Premier League too.

“The Premier League is one of the biggest titles. Apart from the World Championship, this is the title everyone wants, so hopefully I can add it to my list!”

Smith believes he is much better prepared to face 10,000 fans and the huge O2 occasion. 

He added: “I feel better than I did five years ago, I was a bag of nerves that night. There’s a bit of pressure coming in as World Champion and World No.1.

“When Michael had played me lately he’s not been firing on all cylinders. I think it’s all about me. If I’m playing well, he’s going to have to play better. 

“I remember saying I had completed darts. But if I win the Premier League I’d be the third person to do the Worlds in the same year. The same goes for the World Matchplay.

“I’ve played the biggest occasion ever and hitting that double eight to win the Worlds. Something like this shouldn’t bother me. I’ve been here three times as a player. 

“I’ll get a Welshman in the final. Gez has probably been the best player in the world for the last 10 or 12 weeks. But it’s different, it’s at the O2, it’s Gezzy’s first time. But I’ve got a small matter of Michael van Gerwen first!”

Words by Phil Lanning.

Images by Taylor Lanning.