Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

This is an assault from Michael van Gerwen. What a burst.

And now a 12-darter from Michael van Gerwen, who has gone out in 12-11-12 darts the past three legs.

Stephen Bunting was in total control of this match but the seven-time champion has just lit the blue touch paper from nowhere and is on a huge run right now.

What next?

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

It is now 5-2 and it is Michael van Gerwen's throw and Stephen Bunting will be thinking 'this is a lot different to a couple of minutes ago'. It is hard not to think like that.

Wow, Michael van Gerwen pulls out a brilliant 11-dart leg against the darts to get it back to 5-2 - is the comeback on?

That's a lot more like the Mighty Mike we've seen in the competition this season, but has he left it too late? He's got the darts here to cut the gap to just two.

Finally! Michael van Gerwen races away with a 180 to get down to a 97 finish with Stephen Bunting miles back.

With no pressure on MVG has no problem taking it out to get his first leg on the board and avoid the whitewash.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

It has been so smooth from Stephen Bunting. It has been beautiful and elegant.

MVG just can't buy a double! He misses two at double 10 to stop the rot and Stephen Bunting takes out 75 on tops with his last dart to move one away from a whitewash.

Image source, PA Media

Michael van Gerwen is all over the place now, missing four darts for the leg before Stephen Bunting can come in a mop up double four ironically enough to make it 4-0!

Sam Drury
BBC Sport at AO Arena

This has been some start from Stephen Bunting. It's already an uphill battle for Michael van Gerwen.

Michael van Gerwen gets to a finish first on 112 but gets nowhere near, and Stephen Bunting had left tops from a brilliant visit sat on 177.

One dart was all he needed in a clinical kill.

Bunting is averaging over 106 as he has done before, but tonight he's razor sharp on the doubles.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

There should be some concern in Michael van Gerwen now. He needs to respond.

A 180 to kick-off from Stephen Bunting and he gets down to a finish first but it's a 161 that is always a tough one to hit.

But he nails it on the Bull to double his lead with a break. What a finish!

Bunting has started brilliantly here and looks so comfortable up on the stage.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

That was picture-perfect finishing. That is a very good combination for Bunting.

He looks vert business-like tonight which is a bit different.

It's raucous in Manchester as Stephen Bunting takes the opening leg - thankfully for Michael van Gerwen's mental state he didn't take out the 170, but he does nail 71 to take the lead with a hole.

Stephen Bunting to throw first...game on!

Tremendous reception for Stephen Bunting once again - not many Scousers get that sort of welcome in Manchester I can tell you that from experience..

Anyway, who wins this? Thumbs up for Bunting, down for MVG.

Stephen Bunting talking to Sky Sports: "I am really looking forward to it and I still believe my best is to come.

"Hopefully I can pounce on Michael early and get that win and then push on for a night win."

Michael van Gerwen talking to Sky Sports: "When you start to play better, you start to feel good and you start to win more games. Things start to fall into place and the more I play and the busy schedule is only helping me at the moment.

"There is room for improvement but things are starting to work out for me."

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

I believe in the pair of these.

Michael van Gerwen has played some amazing stuff and Stephen bunting has in the past two weeks and been beaten both times.

I really believe that Michael has gears and when he's playing well he is winning. I expect him to win this game.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael van Gerwen is first up tonight facing Stephen Bunting, who he's beaten in their last three meetings.

Bunting has shown glimpses of his best, and has a nightly win under his belt, but he's only won four matches in total as he's just not found the consistency.

He has the third best average but the third worst checkout percentage so he's another one with work to do on the doubles.

But for Luke Littler's ability to take out 170 MVG may have had a couple more nightly wins to his name as he's played pretty nicely overall - with plenty of big finishes himself.

The Dutchman is favourite but never write off the peoples champ.