It is Judgement Night in the Premier League Darts on Thursday night when the 10 men head to Liverpool to decide which eight will progress to the remainder of the competition. We already know that Gerwyn Price is out and we’ll lose either Mensur Suljovic or Peter Wright on Thursday.
Aside from the battle for survival there is a good looking contest between Gary Anderson and the world champion Rob Cross for us to enjoy which will have implications for the top four so we should be set for an entertaining evening.
Simon Whitlock vs Gerwyn Price
The evening begins with Simon Whitlock looking to increase his chances of making it to the o2 at the end of the season when he takes on Gerwyn Price who already knows he will no longer be part of the competition once this match is over.
Price has been very ordinary this season and that has carried into his tour form as he was dreadful in Germany at the weekend and his confidence must be at an all-time low. Whitlock had a great start to the campaign but things have gone a little on the quiet side for him since then but I expect him to win this. Price has mentioned how he hasn’t enjoyed any of the Premier League and turning up for a night that means nothing is unlikely to help his motivation. With Whitlock having the throw I’ll take him to cover a 2.5 leg handicap.
Given how poorly Price has been playing I think there is also a case to be made for backing Whitlock on the match win, highest checkout and most 180s treble. I’ve already said how I expect Whitlock to win and given that Price hasn’t registered a single 180 in three of the last four weeks this bet could come down to Whitlock nailing the highest checkout. With Price not expected to win many legs there must be a great chance of the Australian landing his treble.
Raymond Barneveld vs Michael Smith
Two men very much in the mix for a spot at the o2 meet in the second match of the night when Raymond Barneveld takes on Michael Smith in a clash that both should go into thinking that they can win.
Barneveld has been his typical self in this tournament. He has looked a million dollars at times but when the chips are down he hasn’t wanted to know. Michael Smith has been very good in this tournament and even when he hasn’t won he has given as good as he has got which bodes well for him. I think this one will be a fairly even looking match and the draw can’t be ruled out. There is no margin for me to get involved here.
Gary Anderson vs Rob Cross
The big match of the night comes third before the focus switches to the survival battle. Rob Cross and Gary Anderson sit third and fourth in the league table going into the night so the winner here will do their chances of making the o2 the world of good.
I think Anderson is in the better form of the two going into the match but Cross definitely raises his game against the big guns although in saying that he has a terrible record against the Scot which could come into play here.
Anderson has won all five of their meetings, three of which have been this year, including a 6-0 thrashing of the world champion last month and with the draw no bet option I think the former Premier League champion is a cracking bet here.
Mensur Suljovic vs Michael van Gerwen
Mensur Suljovic heads into Judgement Night knowing that he has to avoid defeat when he takes on Michael van Gerwen. Anything other than that and he will be eliminated from the competition and even if he does avoid defeat he will need Daryl Gurney to do him a favour later in the evening.
Van Gerwen goes into the night looking to extend his lead at the top of the table and you’ve got to think he will win this even allowing for the fact that Suljovic is playing well and has an acceptable record against the Dutchman. There isn’t a huge amount of value to be had anywhere though so I’ll sit this one out.
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Daryl Gurney vs Peter Wright
The final match of the night may well be a dead rubber in terms of the survival battle but it certainly won’t be when it comes to potentially pushing on for a place in the top four at the o2 come the end of the campaign. Peter Wright might already be safe but even if he is both he and Daryl Gurney will be looking to win to pick up two much needed points.
News broke on Thursday that Gurney and his partner had a child overnight and you have to think that something like that will have an impact on the Northern Irishman. Wright has been ordinary for much of this campaign but he played much better last week and then took it up a level or two in Germany over the weekend.
Wright could be playing a fatigued Gurney and certainly one who may not have been able to commit to the practice board this week so I’ll go with the colourful Scot to come out on top here.
Tips
WON – Back S.Whitlock (-2.5 legs) to beat G.Price for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with 888sport
Back him here:
WON – Back S.Whitlock to win, Most 180s and Highest Checkout for a 2/10 stake at 4.50 with William Hill
Back him here:
Back G.Anderson to beat R.Cross (DNB) for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with BetVictor
Back him here:
Back P.Wright to beat D.Gurney for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Unibet
Back him here:
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