Darts Premier League
Premier League Darts Night 16 preview: Smith to Steel final spot in Sheffield?
Night 16 of the Premier League Darts is upon us, and that means it’s the last chance for players to secure the final play-off spot and a shot at the championship title. As the top three are already decided, the final spot will be filled by either Nathan Aspinall or Michael Smith.
We dissect the upcoming matchups, analyse the contenders’ form and delve into the upcoming drama in Sheffield.
Luke Littler v Peter Wright (19:10)
Kicking off the proceedings is the table topper, Luke Littler, facing Peter Wright, who sits at the bottom of the table. Since it’s the final night, there’s little at stake in terms of qualification—Littler has already secured his spot in the finals, while Wright’s pursuit of the finals is over.
However, Littler has the chance to make history. With a win tonight, he could become the first player to win five separate nights in a Premier League season. Given this incentive, Littler has plenty to play for, and considering his 6-1 victory over Wright last week, it’s hard to see any other outcome than another emphatic Littler win.
Luke Littler -3.5 in the handicap betting looks like good value at EVS.
Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith (19:40)
The second quarter-final of Night 16 is crucial for the final play-off spot, as Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith face off in a winner-takes-all match. Last week, Smith triumphed over Aspinall with a 6-3 victory in their quarter-final clash.
This game carries even more pressure, which we believe will benefit Smith in his quest for a finals ticket. Smith demonstrated his composure under pressure last week, boasting a double success rate of 40%, compared to Aspinall’s 21.83%. Given Smith’s previous performance and his ability to secure the match treble, we expect him to repeat his success and claim the final play-off spot.
Luke Humphries v Gerwyn Price (20:10)
Up next is the match between Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price, which, like our first quarter-final, carries no significant repercussions since both players already know their standings. Having said that, Humphries’ win in Leeds last week puts him in a position to also break the record for most night wins in a season on this final day.
This game is expected to have a similar dynamic to the first quarter-final, with Price only playing for pride. Whether Price puts in his best effort or not, it’s hard to see him overturning Humphries’ impressive run of form. Humphries was sensational in Leeds, and we anticipate his strong performance will continue in Sheffield.
Luke Humphries to win the match, highest match checkout and most 180s is 9/4.
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross (20:40)
The last quarter-final presents a similar story as two of the other matchups, with Michael van Gerwen also vying for the record of most night wins. Rob Cross, despite playing solidly throughout the season and winning 10 games, cannot secure a play-off spot.
Last week in Leeds, Van Gerwen narrowly lost to Luke Humphries in a 6-5 final. Cross, on the other hand, was decisively defeated by Humphries in the quarter-final and seemed disengaged, as if his focus has already shifted away from the Premier League. With nothing to play for, Cross appears to lack the motivation to push for a win here.
Michael van Gerwen to win at 8/13 looks to be the best value.
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