Darts Premier League
Premier League Night 13 Preview: Van Gerwen has the momentum after Euro success
The Premier League returns to Scotland this Thursday, as we edge ever closer to this year’s playoffs.
Last week, James Wade doubled his tally of Nights won, taking his total to two, and closed in on first and second in the table. The top three in the league seemingly already have one foot in the playoffs, so points are becoming more and more crucial for those that want to get in on the action.
In this blog, we take a look at Night 13 and who are the frontrunners to add another Night win to their Premier League portfolio.
MVG fresh off Euro Tour success
Michael van Gerwen enjoyed more darting success over the weekend, winning his second Euro Tour of the year defeating Danny Noppert in the final. MVG only managed one ranking success last year but has already picked up four this term. He’s looked in great shape in this year’s Premier League as well, winning three Nights and currently sitting second in the table – four points off top spot. He’ll be looking to continue the momentum gained from the weekend and is the 11/4 favourite to win Night 13 outright.
Mighty Mike faces Joe Cullen in his opening game, who has made a solid case for himself during his debut Premier League campaign. The Rockstar has reached three finals, winning one and currently sits above former World Champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson, as well as this year’s World Championship runner-up Michael Smith. It will be a tough task for Cullen, who has lost both his opening games in the previous two weeks. However, the pair last met in the final of Night 7 where Cullen was victorious. Cullen is 19/10 to upset MVG in his opening fixture and is 14/1 to win the Night.
All Scottish tie in Glasgow
Unfortunately for the Glasgow crowd, at least one Scottish player will be heading home in their opening fixture. Peter Wright and Gary Anderson clash in their opening games with both struggling for form. Wright has been the more successful of the pair, however. Despite winning the same number of Nights as Anderson (1), Wright has been more consistent at reaching finals and semi-finals, notching points where it matters. This means the world number one sits 13 points clear of the Flying Scotsman in fourth place, with Anderson currently occupying the bottom spot.
This will be prime time for either of these men to make a bid for the Night win, as they will have the crowd behind them every step of the way. Peter Wright is the joint-second favourite to win Night 13, currently priced at 4/1 whereas Gary Anderson will be hoping to cause a few upsets at 16/1.
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The Machine meets the Ferret
A huge first-round tie sees the current league leader Jonny Clayton face off with last week’s winner James Wade. Both men have been scintillating at times, continuously performing to reach the semi-finals and final week in, week out. The pair met in last week’s final, with Wade producing a brilliant comeback to oust the Ferret. Earlier on in the evening, The Machine set his record-best average of 114.73 to beat Gerwyn Price. If he’s in that mood again, he can beat anyone and is priced at 15/2 to record back-to-back successes.
Both men were defeated at the same stage of last weekend’s Euro Tour, with Wade losing to Michael van Gerwen and Clayton losing to Danny Noppert in the third round. It could well be game of the night, with Clayton looking to add yet more points to his lead at the top of the table. He’s joint-second favourite to win his fourth Night this year at 4/1.
Iceman needs Night wins
It’s not been the Premier League campaign that Gerwyn Price (5/1) had hoped for and the world number two is desperate for Night wins if he wants to progress to the playoffs. He currently sits in sixth place, seven points adrift of Peter Wright in fourth. He’s reached the semi-final in two of the last three events, losing in both to James Wade who has been on top form recently. Luckily for Price, he won’t have to worry about another Wade semi-final, as the pair would meet only in the final if both win their respective matches.
Michael Smith (10/1) will be bidding to melt the Iceman’s chances here and is still the only man not to have won a Night this year. He’s got close but has failed to get over the line so far. He’ll have to do it the hard way this week, with Price in his opening fixture and then a semi-final between the winner of MVG and Joe Cullen.
