The Ferret and The Ice Man Hope to Bring a Welsh Duel to the Boil in Cardiff

With both men on opposite sides of the draw in the Welsh capital, the prospect of a home showdown on Thursday night is very real. 

Clayton currently tops the table after four weeks, while Price has already claimed a nightly win in Antwerp. 

Yet if they do collide in the final, Clayton believes allegiance inside the arena may be impossible to predict.

Asked who the Cardiff crowd would back, Clayton said: "I don't know, to be honest. I would turn around and say they just go with the flow. I think they just support good darts.

"I don't really think they would care who wins. We've both got a massive fan base - the Welsh fan base - so if that happens, it would be a cracking night for both of us.

"It would mean everything to win, because I think Gezzy has won in Cardiff. I've not won in Cardiff; I lost to Peter Wright in the final, so I would love to have that.

"There is no other competition in Wales, so to be part of the Premier League in Cardiff is a great honour. 

“The atmosphere is second to none. To share that with my World Cup partner, Gezzy, I think it's going to be a party."

READ MORE: Jonny Clayton Hails Premier League Triumph as a Career Highlight

Clayton, known as ‘The Ferret’, has surged to the summit of the standings, holding a narrow advantage after clinching victory on Night Three in Glasgow. 

But despite his strong start, he is keeping a watchful eye on the sport’s biggest names.

Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have yet to reach a nightly final in this year’s campaign, an unusual position for the world’s top two players. Clayton, however, expects that to change.

“Maybe so, they are world number one and two. Obviously, you have to think about them.

“But I think about my game and I don’t really care about anybody else.

“I am doing the job right so far, so that is all I need to worry about.

“I need to just keep getting points on the board. We all know the other seven players can play darts.

“If I can concentrate on my own game, that is what they need to do on theirs.”

READ MORE: Welsh Pair Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton Backed as Right Picks for Premier League

For Clayton, returning to the Premier League after missing the past two editions has made this Cardiff appearance even more meaningful.

“I've been away from the Premier League for a couple of years now,” Clayton added.

“I'm back in and back in Wales playing, so that's all I want, my favourite tournament, my favourite city.

“There's no better support than the Welsh. There's only one major in Wales and it's the Premier League night, to be a part of that in front of your own crowd is fantastic.”

The 51-year-old has long spoken about the energy generated by a Welsh crowd, and he expects Thursday night to be no different.

 

“I have waited three years to do this, so I am really excited, to be honest.

“I can’t wait — the Welsh crowd are second to none. To be a part of the screaming, shouting, and singing.

“I always say it is a shame there is not another major in Wales, because as a Welsh darts player, it would be great for us and the support in Wales.

“There is no better place. It is fantastic, and that atmosphere tomorrow night is going to be special.

“I want to play Gezzy in the final. It would be a great night if we can have the two Welsh boys in the final.”

Price, the former Welsh number one, is equally enthusiastic about the possibility.

"It is good, and we are on separate halves of the draw, so hopefully it's going to be an all-Welsh final," he said.

"It is nice to have Jonny there, and it is great to get back to Cardiff. The crowd are obviously going to be neutral, and there will be some support there for me.

"Imagine my prediction coming true - me and Jonny in the final in Cardiff. Both hit back-to-back nine-darters, but I hit the one that wins the match. That would be amazing."

Clayton, though, cannot quite picture how the loyalties would fall if that scenario unfolds.

"It's going to be mental, it's going to be exciting, singing, chanting and they're all behind us for a change," he added.

"We're looking forward to this big time."

And if the two Welsh heavyweights do reach the final?

"Two Welsh boys in the final, that would be amazing," said 51-year-old Clayton.

"Obviously Jonny Clayton picking up the trophy would be a little bit better!

"Hopefully we can do it, fingers crossed we meet in the final."

 

Premier League Night Five - Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Quarter-Finals

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting

Luke Littler v Josh Rock