Jonny Clayton on defying doubters, Luke Littler battle and targeting his second Premier League crown
There are some competitions which bring the best out of individuals and Jonny Clayton's love affair with the Premier League has been revived this season.
Following two years where the Ferret was overlooked for the Premier League roadshow, Clayton has returned in sensational fashion by making a mockery of his pre-tournament odds and extending his 100% record of reaching Finals night by finishing second in the league phase.
Clayton was victorious on his Premier League debut in 2021 and reached the play-offs at the O2 Arena in the subsequent two years, falling at the semi-final hurdle against Joe Cullen and his compatriot Gerwyn Price respectively.
He's reached Finals night again this year by winning 20 matches and registering four nightly wins in Glasgow, Nottingham, Brighton and Rotterdam to finish runner-up to Luke Littler.
Relishing the opportunity of another appearance at the O2 Arena, Clayton is eager to make history and join Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson in becoming a multiple Premier League Darts champion.
"I know how difficult this competition is," Clayton told bet365. "I've been here three times before and I've made Finals night three times before, so it's rewarding to make Finals night for the fourth time.
"I've been really looking forward to this and I'm going to try my best to win it."
Boasting the best conversion rate from this year's eight players, Clayton's form in the Premier League has been reminiscent of the imperious performances he produced on his path to glory in 2021.
The Ferret won the World Masters, World Grand Prix and World Series Finals as well as the Premier League in a phenomenal breakthrough year, but televised silverware has been hard to find since.
Last triumphant in the 2023 World Cup alongside Price, Clayton's eager to restock his trophy cabinet, starting with this year's Premier League.
"It feels good when I'm up there," he said. "My doubling has been good; when you're taking all of the opportunities it obviously helps.
"My scoring has been for show, but like they say your doubles are for dough. At the end of the day, I'm taking my shots out and that's all that counts.
"Is it the same form as 2021? I don't know, but something's going well because I've been battling Luke [Littler] at the top of the league."
Jonny Clayton's Premier League odds
(Odds will display when markets are available).
The in-form Luke Humphries stands in the way of Clayton and the final on Thursday night, but should he prevail, he will face either his close ally Price or world number one Littler in the showpiece.
Clayton's enjoyed some fascinating battles with Littler and the Nuke just edges the head-to-head record in this Premier League season with four wins to the Ferret's three.
Recording a 6-1 demolition of Littler in Week 3, the reigning world champion exacted revenge in Week 15 with a 6-0 whitewash of Clayton, but the other five matches between the pair have been close encounters.
"He's been brought up the right way and he respects his elders," he smirked. "I think that's what Luke is doing to be fair to him!
"Things are happening for me and I know there have been times where Luke hasn't finished as well as he can, so you have to take your chances in this game and that's what I've been doing."
Clayton's had to battle painful gout flare-ups in recent years and the Welshman managed to play through the debilitating condition during his nightly win in Nottingham.
He is hopeful it won't impact him on the stage at the O2 Arena, but Clayton revealed no amount of pain will stop him from trying to produce his best on Thursday night.
"Thank God it's not in my right arm! I've suffered with gout for the last 10 years, so I know what it's all about," the 51-year-old continued.
"But when you're up there on the oche and your ankles hurt, it's not a very nice feeling. But I've powered through it and we live to fight another day."
