GERWYN Price will take on compatriot Jonny Clayton in the Premier League play-offs in London tonight.

The Welsh pair lock horns in the semi-finals of the tournament at the O2 (7pm start) when hunting the £275,000 top prize. The semi-finals are the best of 19 legs with the final the best of 21.

Markham’s Price, who became the fifth player in the play-offs history to finish top of the league standings, takes on Carmarthenshire’s Clayton, the 2021 winner, while champion Michael van Gerwen faces Michael Smith.

Former world champion Price celebrated four nightly wins in Cardiff, Nottingham, Newcastle and Brighton to boast a six-point lead at the summit, having also featured in a further five finals.

He registered 19 ton-plus averages throughout the league phase and is determined to cap off a terrific campaign by lifting the coveted title on his play-offs debut.

South Wales Argus: Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton (Picture Steven Paston/PDC)Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton (Picture Steven Paston/PDC) (Image: (Picture Steven Paston/PDC))

"I can't wait to get on that stage,“ said Price, who has won eight of his last nine meetings against Clayton in all competitions.

"I feel like my game is in a good place. I'm full of confidence, and I feel like I can't miss sometimes when I get into my rhythm, but it all needs to fall into place tonight.

"I think I deserved to top the table but it doesn't mean anything. I would rather win the Premier League rather than top the table, but my form has been really good.

"I am really looking forward to playing Jonny. It's a big game for me, it's a big game for Jonny, so may the best man win on the night!"

Clayton was indebted to his compatriot Price for beating Nathan Aspinall in the Night 16 semi-finals, which confirmed Clayton’s Play-Off qualification for a third consecutive year.

The 48-year-old made a sluggish start to the league phase, but back-to-back wins in Berlin and Birmingham on Nights Nine & Ten respectively proved decisive in his top four bid.

He is now aiming to join Taylor, Van Gerwen and Gary Anderson in becoming a multiple Premier League champion, and he's hoping his 2021 exploits can act as a positive omen.

“Hopefully coming in from fourth position, I can pick up that trophy again,” quipped Clayton, who finished fourth en route to his debut success in 2021.

“It was a difficult campaign. I made a very slow start, but those back-to-back wins put me back in the mix, the confidence rises again and things started to go my way.

“The man in form at the moment is Gerwyn Price, but anything can happen, and if I produce my best darts I’ve got a good chance of getting through.

“I’ve got total respect for Gezzy and I know he has the same respect for me. I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic game, and hopefully it’s my night.”