Jonny Clayton has remarked he is playing with a ‘smile on his face’ as he looks to extend his lead at the top of the BetMGM Premier League standings in Nottingham on Night Six. The Welsh number one holds a five point lead over his competitors as the darting roadshow rolls into the Motorpoint Arena […]
Jonny Clayton has remarked he is playing with a ‘smile on his face’ as he looks to extend his lead at the top of the BetMGM Premier League standings in Nottingham on Night Six.
The Welsh number one holds a five point lead over his competitors as the darting roadshow rolls into the Motorpoint Arena on Thursday, starting the league phase in rampant fashion following his return to the competition.
After winning Night Three in Glasgow and winning his first match in all five of the opening weeks, the league leader’s spirits are high coming into Night Six in Nottingham.
“I’m feeling good. My darts are going well and my confidence is high, so I’m looking forward to tonight,” affirmed the world number five.
“At the end of the day, I’m enjoying my darts, I’ve got a smile on my face, the confidence is high, and that’s all that counts.
“I’ve been in this before, so I know points are so important. I’ve had a good start and hopefully it carries on.
“I’m looking for two points week-in week-out, and anything else is a massive bonus.”
Clayton’s form has remained strong outside of the Premier League, including a run to the quarter-finals at the UK Open where the Welshman was denied by his World Cup partner Gerwyn Price, who sits second in the Premier League table.
The 2021 champion’s target of two points a week would almost certainly guarantee his spot in Finals Night after successfully reaching it on all three previous occasions, but Clayton recognises that this year’s competition is exceptionally strong.
“I think it’s the most competitive Premier League I’ve been in,” confessed Clayton, as five different players have won the opening five nights of action.
“It’s a good thing – we are all taking points off each other, it makes it more exciting.
“Making the quarter-finals of the UK Open, I’m doing something right. I’m in the latter stages of competitions, and that’s where I want to be.
“Although I’m league leader, I’ve still got to attack – at the end of the day, you’ve got to get as many points as you possibly can.”
Clayton will lock horns with Michael van Gerwen in his opening fixture in Nottingham, who sits in fifth despite winning the opening night and finishing runner-up at Night Two.
Of their 14 previous match-ups in the Premier League, the Welshman has won eight, and Clayton holds a wealth of respect for his Dutch opponent coming into the clash.
“I enjoy playing against Mike, I respect Mike a lot,” admitted Clayton, ahead of only their second meeting since 2025.
“I’ve always liked the way he plays darts, he never blames anybody else, he just plays. If it’s not his night, he blames himself – nobody else and nothing else matters.
“He goes back and focuses on what he’s done wrong. I’ve picked a lot of tips up from that.
“To play against Mike, we just go up, play the game of darts, and it’s no nonsense. Somebody has to win – hopefully, it’s me!”