There’s going to be a backlash’ – Michael Van Gerwen tipped to bounce back hard from ‘situation he doesn’t like’

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been tipped for a dramatic return to form at the Darts Premier League in Exeter. The three-time world champion has crashed out in the semi-final in all three events so far this season. Mighty Mike has endured a tough two months, losing in the World Championship final to Luke Littler.

The 35-year-old has battled injury away from the oche. And he's yet to reach a final in the Premier League as the weekly road-show heads to the South West this Thursday. PDC star Matthew Edgar is tipping MVG to make a dramatic return to form. He told Sky Sports: "I think he's in a situation he probably doesn't like.

"The conversation of who is the best player in the world has always been Michael van Gerwen or this or that player. "But he's not really in that conversation, despite the fact he reached a world final. He's being overlooked.". Van Gerwen is currently ranked No. 3 in the world behind Littler and Luke Humphries.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. He has won the Premier League seven times but went without a major title in 2024. Edgar continued: "I think there's going to be a backlash. "We're going to see Michael van Gerwen hit back and hit back hard. "But he needs that consistency, that game-by-game. That's what the Premier League is.".

Van Gerwen kicks off Thursday night's action in Exeter against Rob Cross. Voltage has MVG's number in recent months, with six wins for the Englishman in their last seven meetings. Night 1 - Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1. Night 2 - Glasgow: Littler beat Humphries 6-5.

Night 3 - Dublin: Price beat Aspinall 6-3. Night 4 - Westpoint Exeter - Thursday February 27. Night 5 - The Brighton Centre - Thursday March 6. Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham - Thursday March 13. Night 7 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Thursday March 20.

Night 8 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle - Thursday March 27. Night 9 - Uber Arena, Berlin - Thursday April 3. Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10. Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17. Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool - Thursday April 24.

Night 13 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1. Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds - Thursday May 8. Night 15 - P&J Live, Aberdeen - Thursday May 15. Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield - Thursday May 22. Play-Offs - The O2, London - Thursday May 29.

But Van Gerwen has a strong history at the Matchpoint in Exeter, winning at the venue in both 2022 and 2023. MVG told Sky Sports: "I've been playing in the Premier League for a little while, so to perform in front of all those people, it gives you joy, it gives you energy, and that's what's so nice about darts.

"A lot of people, they don't have a mindset. You know what I mean?. "They just say they have a mindset, but they're weak as f***. And that's the way how it is. "[Talk about my form] happens when I am not even playing my best darts, so could you imagine if I played my best darts?".