Premier League Darts Night 12 preview: MVG set to woo home crowd

The Premier League Darts heads to Rotterdam this Thursday night for Week 12. After a scintillating Gerwyn Price triumph last weekend, can Michael van Gerwen respond with a statement victory on home soil?

We preview all the quarter-final action below

Chris Dobey v Jonny Clayton

Just five nights of action remain before the top four will head to London’s O2 Arena to compete for darts most prestigious invitational title. Jonny Clayton is sitting comfortably in fourth place, and is the 4/6 favourite in this matchup against Chris Dobey.

Clayton has come into a good run of form, having secured two weekly titles to somewhat solidify his top four position in the table ahead of Nathan Aspinall. The last time Clayton and Dobey locked horns was in Week Three, when Clayton emerged the 6-1 winner.

Dobey made his Premier League debut this season and has had a relatively quiet run after taking home the title on the opening night. A top four finish may be slipping out of reach for the 6/5 underdog, and he will need a solid performance here to stay in contention.

While Dobey does pose a unique threat, he has gone three weeks without a Premier League win. Given Clayton’s experience in the competition, the favourite should be able to deliver. However, Dobey is the heavy favourite to have the most 180s, with the odds priced at 4/5.

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Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price

Gerwyn Price has been unbelievable this season, topping off a spectacular run with yet another victory last week. Having won the most nights thus far, he is the 4/7 favourite in this matchup.

Price bettered Michael Smith 6-3 in last weeks’ final, and now sits just two points off top ranked Michael van Gerwen in the table. The gap has closed significantly in recent weeks and a shock Week 12 victory in front of van Gerwen’s home fans, priced at 5/2, would catapult Price to the top of the table.

Smith may be the world number one, but he was defeated by the better player last week. Vengeance will be at the forefront of his mind, and he is 11/8 to win this quarter-final tie. Currently sitting third in the table on 18 points, Smith knows how crucial every points is at this stage in the season, and that could motivate him more than the already clear Price.

Given Smith’s current situation, an upset can’t be ruled out in this fiery quarter-final. It’s set to be a roof-raiser, with over 6.5 180’s combined a real possibility at 10/11.

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Peter Wright

Next, the bottom two in the table go head to head, with Peter Wright the 4/6 favourite ahead of seventh-ranked Dimitri Van den Bergh.

While a top four spot seems out of the picture for both men, points are all to play for and the night winning bonuses will be looking extremely enticing. Neither man has particularly impressed, but 6/5 underdog Van den Bergh has dropped off as of late, now on a four-match losing streak.

Peter Wright had a shocking opening run, although has started to produce some quarter-final victories in recent weeks. Snakebite lost the last tie between these two but given his current form, he may turn that result around.

This matchup provides an opportunity for both men to prove their worth and put on an epic performance, but we fancy Wright in this clash given his recent progress. Wright to win the match, to have the highest match checkout and to produce the most 180s is priced at 7/2.

Michael van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall

Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen is the heaviest favourite on the cards once again at 1/3. On home soil, the Dutchman should produce an unreal performance this Thursday night.

While van Gerwen sits atop the table, he will be aware of Gerwyn Price snapping at his heels, and a statement victory here may be needed to deter the challenger. Since van Gerwen’s lead was slashed to two points last week, you can bet he will be out for blood, and we make the Dutchman 2/1 to win the whole night on home soil.

Nathan Aspinall will be dreading this matchup, given it is arguably the unluckiest quarter-final draw of the season. Aspinall is ranked fifth in the table and a win here is critical, but given the location of this performance it seems more than unlikely.

Overall, this is set to be a thrilling night of action in Rotterdam, with the atmosphere set to be phenomenal. Van Gerwen is 11/10 to produce the most 180s, which seems a decent punt for such a talented favourite.

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