We are getting down to the serious stage of the Premier League Darts campaign with just three weeks left until the top four in the table head to the o2. Those currently in the top four will be looking for a big night in Manchester to consolidate their places while those outside will want a win to keep their challenge alive.
It is a particularly big evening for the two Michaels – Smith and van Gerwen as they play twice on the night. If one of them can win twice then their position in the league table could be locked in which should be a huge incentive.
Peter Wright vs Michael Smith
The opening match of the evening sees seventh placed Peter Wright taking on fourth placed Michael Smith in a massive match for last year’s beaten finalist. Wright knows he must win his last three to have any chance of making the o2. A failure to win here would eliminate him.
Smith is currently leading the chasing pack for that final spot in London next month and has the chance to really stamp his authority on it over the course of the night but successive defeats could really open the door for those in behind him.
Smith ended a run of two defeats in succession last week but in truth Whitlock offered nothing in opposition. Wright has rarely looked comfortable in this competition this season so this isn’t a match where a bet is particularly appealing.
Daryl Gurney vs Michael van Gerwen
One of the matches of the evening is the second one between the two heavy scorers Daryl Gurney and Michael van Gerwen. MVG will be looking to bounce back from successive defeats in Rotterdam last week while Gurney will be all out for a win which could seriously enhance his o2 prospects.
Van Gerwen has a very good record against Gurney in their previous meetings although how he played in Rotterdam last week in line with his qualification for the finals already confirmed would be a concern. You never truly know what Gurney is going to turn up in this event so this is an easy one to swerve with value on the small side.
Simon Whitlock vs Gary Anderson
The third match of the evening sees the only man who can no longer make it to the o2 in action when Simon Whitlock, eliminated already despite a fast start to the season, takes on Gary Anderson who is beginning to surge towards the top four.
Whether Whitlock’s intensity left him when he guaranteed he survived Judgement Night or whether he simply isn’t good enough in this company I’m not entirely sure but he is in a slump at the minute which is extending into his pro tour form too. Anderson certainly isn’t but throwing second a 3.5 leg handicap is a little on the tight side I would have to suggest.
One that isn’t though is the Anderson 180s line which remains at 3.5. He keeps on covering it when we are on so I’m not going to leave it now. Anderson hit six 180s in the reverse meeting with Whitlock and I fully expect four more here.
Raymond Barneveld vs Rob Cross
It could be that the biggest match of the night is the penultimate one as Raymond Barneveld looks to build on his fantastic week in Rotterdam when he takes on the world champion Rob Cross who is throwing some good darts.
Barneveld really has to win out if he is genuinely going to make it to the o2 while Cross is in a much better position and a draw probably does him no harm here. For the sake of my outright bet I hope Barneveld wins but the head to head record is very much with Cross. That sways me from a bet with Barneveld and indeed on the match as a whole.
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Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen
The final match of the night sees two men in the top four at the start of play playing out their match in hand on the rest of the league when Michael Smith faces Michael van Gerwen in what could be a big match for the home player.
Depending on what Smith does in the opening match of the night he could really need a win here. MVG is through whatever happens here and is only really playing to top the table now. I’ve not bet on one of these matches where players play twice and I’m not going to begin now. In all three so far we’ve seen players struggle to reach the heights we should expect of them, understandably so, and I don’t think that offers good betting potential.
Tips
Back G.Anderson – Over 3.5 180s for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with BetVictor
Back him here:
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