CLAYTON PREDICTED TO CRUISE INTO PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS
12/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
JONNY CLAYTON is an “absolute certainty” to reach the Premier League play-offs, according to pundit Chris Murphy.
‘The Ferret’ made a flying start to the major, averaging a stunning 109 to dispatch Josh Rock 6-2 before bowing out to Gian van Veen in the semi-finals.
World No.5 Clayton boasts an impressive record in the tournament, having lifted the title on debut and reached Finals Night in his two further appearances.
Murphy has backed Clayton to secure third place in the table comfortably, without facing too many bumps along the way.
He told the Love the Darts podcast: “I think Jonny Clayton is an absolute certainty to be in the top four.
“I think it is a sixteen-week season before the finals, and I think he is one of the most consistent players in world darts.
“The dip in form he had around a year ago to 18 months ago coincided with stuff going on behind the scenes.
“He lost his father after that Matchplay run. I think he has arguably come back better than ever.
“He maybe could have gone further at the Worlds but just didn’t really turn up against Ryan Searle, who played really well.
“I think over the course of the 16 weeks, I expect him to be consistent enough to get into the play-offs without a problem in third.”
The Welshman has made a solid start to the year, reaching the quarter-finals of the World Championship before following it up with a run to the second round of the World Masters.
Clayton returns to Premier League action this Thursday evening and will face Michael van Gerwen.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
