Paul Nicholson: “He will need to hit the afterburners if he is to make the playoffs”

Paul Nicholson: “He will need to hit the afterburners if he is to make the playoffs”

Paul Nicholson|4 May 2021

Jonny Clayton v James Wade

After an indifferent ending to the first half of his first campaign in the Premier League, Jonny Clayton will understand that it is time to hit the afterburners again. If he cannot do that, he will not make the playoffs. I predicted that he would put in a strong performance in his last game against James, and that didn’t materialise. That was probably a sign that the schedule was maybe taking its toll just a little. With both players choosing to miss Super Series 3 for their own reasons, you would have to believe that both will be fresh and ready for this challenge in pushing for the top 4.

James is taking advantage of his late inclusion and may feel like there is no pressure on him, but the fact of the matter is, he is the one with all of the PL experience and is expected to prevail as a current ranking major winner too. In this match, he may get a stiffer test than last time, with JC getting a little rest after the last bunch of fixtures.

I am going for the draw in this one, as I feel like it’s the most likely outcome.

James and Jonny to draw 7-7 – (7/2)

| Jonny Clayton hits a nine-darter in the Premier League!

Incredible scenes! pic.twitter.com/dXfcL2maHR

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 7, 2021

Dimitri Van Den Bergh v Michael Van Gerwen

If there is a bad time for MVG to play Dimitri Van Den Bergh, it is right now. Not only is Belgiums number one in a tidy 2nd position in the PL table, but he has just got his first Players Championship title at the expense of Dirk Van Duijvenbode in the past few days. Maybe Dimi has found the key to success wherever he plays, and that is bad news for Michael who just doesn’t seem to know how to dominate his opponents currently.

MVG has had a decent, albeit up and down Premier league so far. He is third in the table and looking good for the playoffs, but this is nowhere near the Green Machine from years gone by, and if he is to maintain his place in the top 4, he will have to unlock something that is currently hidden.

I cant seem to get past the fact that Dimitri is playing better right now and he will win this game. He has the confidence and the consistency and he will be favourite for this game in a lot of peoples eyes.