MvG admits Cross is a "Danger"

Mighty Michael van Gerwen admits that Rob Cross is a “danger” before their big Unibet Premier League semi-final clash. The World No 1 will be out to avenge his World Championship semi-final defeat to Cross in the opening match of the evening. MVG is favourite to wrap up a fourth title at the O2 and reckons that Cross has lost “the edge” that took him to the World Championship five months ago. The Dutchman said: “I’m feeling quite confident ahead of my game with Rob. He’s not in the best form of his life, he’s not got that edge to him that he had in the World Championship when he beat me, but you always have to be careful with him because he is a danger. “I need to make sure I keep doing what is good for me, I have just one thing on my mind – to beat them all.” After a shaky start to his Premier League debut, Cross has settled down into a solid performer but knows he has to go up a level in London tonight. Cross admits: “I want all the biggest titles in darts and it would be an amazing one to add to my portfolio. “I will go into the match with a fearless mindset - if you want to win it you’ve got to beat the best players. “I’m happy to be playing Michael in the semis, because he never loses many of the finals he plays in but he has lost a few semis.” The second semi-final will see close friends Anderson and Smith go head-to-head, and the Scot is in familiar territory having qualified for The O2 for a fifth successive year. Anderson said: “He’s like my adopted son but I will be playing to win “He’s my mate and we get on really well, but it doesn’t matter what game we’re playing I always want to win. “It’ll be great playing Michael on such a massive stage and whichever one of us loses will be there cheering the other on in the final. “Whoever wins will be on the wind-up for the next fortnight and neither of us wants to be on the receiving end!” Smith will also be making his debut Play-Offs appearance, although he has experience of playing on stage at The O2, having won the World Youth Championship final in 2013 against Ricky Evans. Bully Boy said: “I believe I can win the Premier league. I’ve won two games in a day against the world’s best players many times before so there’s no reason why I can’t do it again at The O2. “I would love to be introduced to the stage at the World Matchplay in July as the reigning champion of the Premier League.” By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)