Darts Premier League
Premier League Darts Night 14 Preview: Clayton out to secure top spot
With just three nights to go before the Play-Offs the race is on to secure one of the remaining three spots, and this week we head to the Utilita Arena in Sheffield for Night 14.
Last week we were treated to a classic final in Glasgow, with Jonny Clayton getting the better of Michael van Gerwen, extending his lead at the top of the table to six points and becoming the first player to secure a place in the Play-Offs.
We look ahead to the opening match ups on Night 14, as well as the outright winner odds this week.
The Ferret in irresistible form
Jonny Clayton has been near unstoppable of late, winning three of the last six Premier League Nights and reaching a final and two semis on the other occasions.
Last week saw Clayton gain revenge for his Night 12 final defeat at the hands of James Wade, as he beat the Machine 6-2 in a scrappy quarter final. He then faced Gary Anderson, who had the backing of the home crowd, but Clayton managed to carve out a hard-fought 6-4 victory, before defeating his nearest rival in the table, Michael van Gerwen, 6-3 in the final.
Clayton threw an average of 101 during the final in Glasgow and will be tricky to handle if lining up in the same form here. He arrives in Sheffield as a 7/2 chance to secure a fifth Night win, while he is just 1/3 to top the table before Play-Off Night.
His quarter final opponent Michael Smith remains the only player yet to win a Premier League Night. It could be argued that Bully Boy has been unlucky after reaching two finals, but generally his consistency has let him down. However, Smith will come into this on a high after winning his first ranking event of 2022 with victory in the Players Championship 14 earlier in the week, so he will be hoping to continue that form and secure his first Night win (12/1).
MVG looking to join the Play-Off party
After last week’s run to the final, another similar performance would seal a Play-Off spot for Michael van Gerwen.
Aside from the Ferret, MVG has been the most consistent player in the last six weeks, reaching three finals, and emerging as victor on Night Eight. He is 11/4 favourite to go all the way and match that success this week.
MVG has battled back to some of his best form in the Premier League this season and he is now closing in on regaining the world number one crown from his quarter final opponent, Peter Wright.
Since winning the opening Night back in February things could hardly have gone worse in the Premier League for Wright. The last time he appeared in a final was on Night Four, where he was on the receiving end of a 6-0 whitewash from Might Mike.
Despite a dismal run of form, Snakebite is still clinging to his spot in the top four on 20 points, but will need a marked improvement on recent form to reach the semis this week 8/5, while he’s 11/2 to win the Night outright.
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Time running out for Price and Anderson
Since taking Night Three by storm, when hitting two nine-darters on the same evening, Gerwyn Price’s form has tailed off to an alarming degree.
Gezzy hasn’t managed to make another final, advancing past the quarters only three times. His chances of making the Play-Offs are hanging by a thread, but he remains only seven points behind fourth-placed Peter Wright in the table, so five points and a Night win would go down very nicely. The Iceman is 4/1 to return to form.
First, he will have to get past Flying Scotsman, Garry Anderson, who hasn’t quite lived up to his name in the Premier League this season. He’s currently rock bottom of the table on nine points and needs a miraculous turn around to reach the Play-Offs.
Anderson is 12/1 to secure a second Night win.
The Rockstar in the hunt
Joe Cullen is still well in contention for a Play-Off spot, currently lying in fifth spot in the table.
Cullen was set to face James Wade in the quarter final, but with his rival currently on the sidelines after falling unwell, the Rockstar will receive a bye to the semis.
He may well fancy his chances against Gary Anderson or a struggling for form Gerwyn Price in the semi finals too, and this could represent a good chance for Cullen to get his second Night win on the board (4/1).
