Premier League Darts Night 15 preview: Table-toppers to Leed the charge

With just two weeks remaining in the race to secure those coveted playoff spots and a shot at the championship title, the top players gear up for a thrilling showdown in Leeds, with every throw crucial in the quest for glory and the ultimate prize of £200,000.

We dissect the upcoming matchups, analyse the contenders’ form, and delve into the drama unfolding at the oche.

We preview all four of the quarter-final matches below.

Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price (19:10)

Kicking off proceedings at the Leeds oche is the infamous clash between Gerwen and Gerwyn. However, it’s doubtful whether this particular game will be one for the history books. Gerwyn Price’s absence last week due to a back injury raises questions about his readiness, and it would require a remarkable turnaround for him to overcome MVG while likely not at full fitness.

In last week’s quarter-final, MVG suffered a defeat against Rob Cross, despite boasting an impressive three-dart average of 108.33. If MVG can sharpen his accuracy on doubles, Gerwyn Price will face an even tougher challenge, as MVG is likely to gain a significant advantage from both Price’s throws and his own.

The valuable selection in this first quarter-final would be Michael van Gerwen to win at 4/5.

Luke Littler v Peter Wright (19:40)

In the second quarter-final of Night 15, we see Luke Littler, currently on an impressive 12-game winning streak, taking to the stage. Despite concerns about the gruelling nature of the Premier League, Littler continues to defy expectations week after week. His flawless performances and growing confidence at the oche prove he can handle any challenge thrown his way. Meanwhile, Peter Wright has shown improvement since the start of the Premier League but struggles to take the lead in short-format games, despite consistently solid showings.

On the only occasion that these two have met, Littler emerged victorious with a 6-5 win on Night 4 in what was arguably one of Wright’s standout performances of the competition. While Wright has the potential to challenge closely, Littler consistently demonstrates an extra edge that could make all the difference in Leeds.

The selection for this game would be Peter Wright (+3.5) in the handicap betting at 8/13.

Luke Humphries v Rob Cross (20:10)

In the upcoming quarter-final, we revisit the recent semi-final clash between Rob Cross and Luke Humphries. Cross clinched a narrow 6-5 victory in their previous encounter, securing his spot in the final last week. Despite Humphries’ dominance in scoring, highlighted by four maximums, his struggles with the doubles proved costly, converting only five of his 19 darts at checkout. The lack of a quarter-final match last week, due to Price’s withdrawal, may have left Humphries underprepared and lacking in warm-up, potentially contributing to this performance.

With Luke Humphries performing in front of his hometown crowd in Leeds this week, anticipation is high for a stellar showing. He’ll be eager to secure his fourth Night win, a feat already achieved by MVG and Littler.

Luke Humphries to win the match, highest match checkout and most 180s is 2/1.

Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith (20:40)

The last quarter-final of the evening holds significant playoff implications. Nathan Aspinall, currently third in the table, faces Michael Smith, who sits in fifth position. Both players are vying for a spot in the playoffs at The O2 in London on Thursday, May 23. With only three points separating them, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The loser of this match will endure an anxious wait as they watch the other semi-final unfold. A win in the semi-final guarantees three points for reaching the final, which could narrow the gap, especially if it’s Smith who emerges victorious.

The players are evenly matched, both priced at 10/11 in the market. Our inclination slightly favours Michael Smith, who will be eager to rebound from his recent crushing 6-1 defeat against Luke Littler last week.

Michal Smith to beat Nathan Aspinall is 10/11.

The Premier League Night 15 accumulator pays 15.65/1 with William Hill.

Check out the latest Premier League Darts betting at William Hill