‘They’re idiots’ – Darts icon makes bold prediction about Gerwyn Price chances vs Littler & Co in Premier League finals

Wayne Mardle believes Gerwyn Price remains a serious contender for Premier League glory despite growing questions surrounding his mentality heading into Finals Night.

The Iceman, 41, secured his place in the top four alongside Luke Littler, Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries after another strong Premier League Darts campaign.

Price narrowly missed out on a third nightly victory in Sheffield after losing to Stephen Bunting in a semi-final disrupted by a heckling fan.

Sky Sports pundit Mardle has questioned Price’s confidence levels in recent weeks after the Welshman withdrew from the last nine Players Championship events as well as the International Darts Open.

Even so, Mardle insists writing off Price ahead of Finals Night at the O2 Arena would be a major mistake.

“When Gerwyn Price enters a tournament he knows he can win it,” said Mardle.

“The whole world knows he can and I believe that. All I’m thinking right now is at the start of the Premier League and going into the last five weeks he has talked himself down.

“He has talked himself down and says he has health issues. He is pulling out of events left, right and centre.

“I am wondering now if this is the flattest he has been all Premier League. He has never been in danger of not making the play-offs here.

“Maybe for a millisecond but he is always in a good position. His brilliance will always see him through in the end.”

Price eventually finished fourth in the league table, setting up a blockbuster semi-final clash with Littler for a place in the final.

Mardle admitted he feels Humphries, Clayton and Littler all appear to be arriving in London with greater momentum, but stressed that Price still possesses the quality to beat anyone on his day.

“I just feel right now Humphries will feel he is in a better spot than he is. As will Jonny Clayton and Luke Littler,” he added.

“But that doesn’t mean Gezzy can’t win next week and if anyone writes him off they are idiots.”

The winner of Price’s showdown with Littler will face either Clayton or Humphries in the final as the race for the Premier League title reaches its climax.

It marks the second consecutive year that the former world champion has remained in contention heading into the final week of the tournament.

Twelve months ago, Price’s hopes were ended by Littler, and the Welshman will now have the chance to gain revenge on the sport’s teenage sensation.

Humphries, meanwhile, heads back to London as the defending Premier League champion despite suffering defeat to Stephen Bunting in Thursday’s Night 16 final.