Premier League Darts - Judgement Night

Premier League Darts – Judgement Night

Is it a Judgement Night when the verdict has already been delivered? Raymond van Barneveld lost convincingly to Daryl Gurney last night, eliminating the Dutchman from his last career Premier League. It was a sad thing to witness to be honest as he looks to be dropping so fast and perhaps he’s simply gone on too long to leave at the top. He does finish the season against MvG though, so who knows. There is still time to finish on a high note in front of his home fans.

Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic

Gurney is a player who seems able to cope against Suljovic’s unconventional rhythm, holding a 7-5 head to head advantage despite always being the lower ranked player when they have met in the past. It’s bound to be a good tussle and I think the bookmakers are probably right in their assessment that there won’t be too much in it either way. They are also on the money in the 180s market and aren’t giving too much any there. No point in betting for bettings’ sake so we move right on along.

Peter Wright v Gerwen Price

This one is interesting. Peter Wright has a phenomenal 12-2 head-to-head advantage in this particular match up, and whilst Price won their last meeting, that was his first win in 11 meeting over 2017-2018, which is the period where we have seen him throwing his top darts. His record wasn’t therefore harmed in the period in which he was just beginning to rise up the rankings.

At around 11/8 or 7/5, Peter Wright feels like a decent slice of value here, especially after a solid run to the semi-finals of the European Darts Open, where he gave an in-from Rob Cross a very good match indeed. He’s probably playing better than his 6th place in the Premier League table represents as well with a 43% check out rate and a 97.6 average.

2pts Peter Wright to beat Gerwyn Price at 11/8 (Marathon, Bet Victor, Exchanges)

Rob Cross v Jeffrey de Zwaan

So far of all the contenders brought in for a one-off match to replace the absent Gary Anderson, none have managed to put a win on the board. We’ve seen plenty of players struggle at their first attempts in the Premier League – remember Kim Huybrecht and Stephen Bunting in 2015, and then Michael Smith made it look very tough in 2016, before Gerwyn Price and Mensur Suljovic found themselves bottom in 2018.

If I was Jeffrey de Zwaan I’d be worried about a match with Rob Cross who looks completely on top of his game right now. He averaged over 100 in every single match enroute to being a losing finalist against MvG in the European Darts Open, and is only behind the Dutchman by three legs on leg difference in the Premier League table. All that without mentioning he reached the final of the UK Open

3pts Rob Cross to beat Jeffrey de Zwaan at 4/6

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen

Emotion can play a big part in darts, and seeing RvB capitulate 7-1 yesterday could do one of two things. For that reason, and with MvG such a short price in this one, I’m simply not getting involved in the match betting. The 180s looks thereabouts too, so we’ll follow the same bet we’ve had a couple of times this campaign and back the world No.1 to score over 100 with his first three darts at 6/4 with Bet Fred. He beats that target around 46% of the time, making it slight value.

1pt Michael van Gerwen to score over 100 1st Three Darts at 6/4 (Betfred)

James Wade v Michael Smith

Finally this match-up has a really intriguing history behind it. Wade has an exceptional 12-3 head to head advantage over Michael Smith and seems to absolutely relish playing him. And before you start thinking this is just legacy form from the old-days when Wade was a big-dog and Smith was just coming through, Wade has won their last five meetings since August 2017, and 10 of their last 11 meetings overall.

Wade is running hot and cold at the moment, but has only lost twice this campaign – against Rob Cross and Mensur Suljovic- both opponents averaging over 100 in their wins. There is nothing in it between the players in the Premier League table – just two points.

I’m surprised to see Wade as big as 13/8 to win this one – he’s favourite in my eyes, and I’m a backer at that price. He’s also 15/2 with Marathon to win 7-4 which feels massive.

2pts James Wade to beat Michael Smith at 13/8 (Sky Bet or Betting Exchanges)

1pt James Wade to win 7-4 at 15/2 (Marathon)

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