Darts Premier League
Premier League Darts Night 15 Preview: Price putting together a late play-off charge
After last week’s twist in the play-off race, the Premier League Darts circus heads to the O2 in London for Night 15.
Gerwyn Price chose the Utilita Arena in Sheffield as the venue for a timely return to form last week, as he defeated Michael van Gerwen in the final to keep himself in the play-off hunt.
With two spots left in the play-offs there’s still plenty to play for, and here we preview this week’s event, giving the low down on the opening match ups as well as who might emerge as victor this week.
The Iceman proves he doesn’t melt under pressure
We haven’t seen the best of Gerwyn Price in the Premier League since his phenomenal win on Night Three, where he hit two nine-darters. However, something like normal service resumed last week as The Iceman finally bounced back to the kind of form we all know he is capable of.
He defeated Gary Anderson in the quarter final, ending the Flying Scotsman’s hopes of making the play-offs before progressing past Joe Cullen 6-3 in the semis. That set up a huge final against second in the table Michael van Gerwen, and it looked as though Price would succumb as MVG took a 3-1 lead. However, the Welshman battled back to take a thrilling win 6-5.
Five points for that crucial victory leaves Price only two points adrift of Peter Wright, who currently occupies the final play-off space. Now back to form, The Iceman will have the bit firmly between his teeth as he looks to secure a play-off spot that looked unlikely a few weeks ago.
He couldn’t have a much harder opening opponent this week though, in league leader Jonny Clayton. The Ferret surprisingly went down 6-5 to Michael Smith in last week’s quarter finals and may have taken his foot off the gas somewhat now he has already qualified. That and the fact Price has returned to form means there’s nothing to separate the players in the market, with both priced at 10/11 to win.
Clayton and Price are also both 4/1 to claim outright honours on Night 15.
Wright in danger of slithering down the table
Peter Wright is another player that made a fast start in the league this season only for his form to tail off. Snakebite hasn’t been at his best for some time now, exiting at the quarter final stage in the last three weeks.
He still narrowly holds the final play-off position, as he occupies fourth place in the table on 20 points. Despite that fact he is only five points behind quarter final opponent James Wade and is likely to see this as a good opportunity to eat into that lead.
Wade missed last week’s Premier League after being taken ill, but has recovered in time for this week. With understandable doubts about Wade’s form, it’s Wright who’s favourite to progress to the semis at 8/11, with Wade a 11/10 chance.
Both players might fancy their chances in the semi finals, with the winner set to meet either Joe Cullen or Gary Anderson. Snakebite is 9/2 to record his second Night win, while Wade is 8/1 to add to his Night 10 and 12 successes.
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MVG eyeing top spot
While Michael van Gerwen has won three nights to table leader Jonny Clayton’s four, he has been arguably the most consistent player in the Premier League this season, reaching seven of the 14 finals so far. Given his consistency, it’s no surprise he’s 10/3 favourite to win this week.
MVG looked set for his fourth night win before Gerwyn Price battled back to snatch victory last week, but three points as runner-up was still enough to secure his place in this season’s play-offs. Just three points behind league leader Jonny Clayton, he now will have eyes on top spot.
He faces Michael Smith in the quarter finals this week, the same opponent he beat narrowly in last week’s semi finals. If MVG is in the same form, it’s hard to see Smith turning the form around, and he’s the 8/15 favourite to win the tie.
Despite being the only player not to win a Night in the league this season, if Smith can secure that elusive win this week, it would still leave him in with a shot of making the play-offs. He’s 9/1 to win in London.
The Rockstar struggling to get rolling
Since winning on Night Seven in Rotterdam and making the final three weeks later in Manchester, Joe Cullen has failed to win another match in the league.
The Rockstar will need to drastically improve his form if he’s to make the play-offs, and probably needs a night win (8/1) to give himself a chance. He should have a good chance of making the semis this week, with Gary Anderson his first opponent, and Cullen is 8/13 to progress.
The Flying Scotsman has failed to build up a head of steam this season and his defeat to Gerwyn Price in last week’s quarter finals saw any chance of him making the play-offs extinguished. He’s 14/1 outsider for an unlikely second night win.
