Premier League Darts - Week 11

Rob Cross v Peter Wright

Rob Cross is back to his best, and he’s now won six of his last seven Premier League matches to top the table. He’s got the joint top average and a commanding 43.15% check out rate. All in all it’s been a very good season so far. He takes on Peter Wright this week who is struggling a little, but so close is the league this year that he remains more than capable of qualifying for the finals if results can start to pick up. His scoring prowess has dropped off a cliff however, so I’m surprised to see Rob Cross available at 10/11 with the Betfair Sportsbook.

Cross has won eight of their 15 meetings (two have been draws) and six of their last 10 (two draws). In all those meetings, its arguable that Cross is in his best form, while Wright is struggling more than at any other point. They drew 6-6 back in Week 1 in Newcastle, while more recently Cross ran out 7-5 winner in the European Darts Open.

With nothing taking our fancy in the out-route markets or the 180s, we’ll stick with a small bet on Rob Cross extending his impressive record against Snakebite in this one.

2pts Cross to beat Wright at 5/6 (General)

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Gerwyn Price v Mensuur Suljovic

Mensur’s unconventional rhythm has been the bane of many opponents, but Gerwyn Price never seems to get fazed by it, and his 10-4 head-to-head record against Suljovic is bettered only by Michael van Gerwen and bizarrely, Steve Beaton of those who have played him regularly.

This season’s only meeting between the pair was a 7-3 Premier League win for Price, while the Welshman was also victorious in the Grand Slam in November. At 13/10 he looks worth backing again in this one.

In the 180s markets, the bookies strongly favour Gerwyn Price – probably influenced by the fact he’s hit 35 already in the Premier League this season. It’s a relatively small sample however, and longer term numbers would arguably see Mensur a marginal favourite in this market. At 13/8 to hit the most, he looks a fair price with tournament sponsors UniBet or Betfred.

1pt Price to beat Suljovic at 13/10 (General)

1pt Suljovic most 180s at 13/8 (UniBet or Betfred)

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James Wade v Daryl Gurney

Wade and Gurney are split by leg difference currently in the Premier League table – Wade +8 and Gurney -2, and the market making James Wade the 11/10 favourite feels about right here. He’s averaging better and finishing his legs more convincingly, and you could certainly make a case that Gurney is somewhat fortunate to be as high as he is in the table.

The 180s looks a tough call – Gurney is by far the more reliable around the maximum bed, but he’s been curiously weak during this season thus far so it’s hard to know what to expect.

No Bet.

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Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen

The final match of the night sees MvG in action, and may give him the opportunity to get back to the top of the table if Rob Cross doesn’t win his earlier match. Michael Smith is his opponent, a man against whom he has a 27-6 head to head record. Over the past two season’s that has been 9-2 so MvG has a considerable edge in this tie. At just 4/11 the bookies aren’t giving much away though, and we’ll resist a bet on the match betting market.

Sky Bet offer 13/8 on Smith hitting the most 180s, which looks pretty generous. Our ratings have the pair pretty much neck and neck on the 180s numbers with around 0.31 per leg expected from each player. The Dutchman is perhaps slightly ahead but not by any distance and this tussle could go either way.

Finally, we’ve talked about the 1st Three Darts market a few times this season with these two players, and 6/4 on MvG scoring over 100 on his first visit, and 7/4 on the same outcome for Smith are both too long. After 10 games in the Premier League, the bet has won 6/10 for Smith and 4/10 for MvG

1pt MvG to win 8-3 at 7/1 (General)

1pt Smith to hit most 180s at 13/8

1pt MvG Over 100 1st Three Darts at 6/4 (Betfred)

2pts Smith Over 100 1st Three Darts at 7/4 (Betfred)

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