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Premier League Night 7 preview: Wide open as we head to Rotterdam
Gary Anderson was the latest man to add his name to the Premier League winners list this year, becoming the fifth player to win one of the opening six nights. It’s becoming increasingly tougher to call this year and the Premier League really does look wide open.
Michael van Gerwen is still sitting pretty at the top of the league, two points ahead of the world number one Peter Wright and four ahead of third-placed Jonny Clayton. He’s currently won the most nights, highest amount of legs and has a monster leg difference of +24. It looked as though MVG could win his third-night last week but was knocked out in his first game against an injured Gerwyn Price.
Only three of the current field are yet to win a night, with all three of these reaching at least one final. Will we see another winner this week in Rotterdam? We take a look at the likely players below.
MVG the frontrunner
As mentioned above, Mighty Mike is taking this year’s Premier League in his stride and is the current favourite to win Night 7 (10/3). He hasn’t been at his best for the last few years but will be loving the way he’s playing in the competition. He had a great chance last week to win his third Night on the bounce but was dumped out in round one against Gerwyn Price. The Iceman said he wouldn’t be 100% on the day but looked in ship-shape when posting a 102 average against MVG.
Van Gerwen will play Michael Smith (7/1) in his opening game, who has been desperately unlucky reaching the last two Premier League finals, losing both 6-4 to MVG and Gary Anderson. Smith is in for another tough night, as if he beats van Gerwen in his opening game, he’ll either play Jonny Clayton or Gerwyn Price. He’ll take confidence from the fact he beat both men on the run to his finals, though. It’s also worth mentioning that Smith leapfrogged MVG in the order of merit this weekend after the two floor events.
Price’s injury woes continue
Price (4/1) has been struggling with injuries of late, pulling out of both Players’ Championships last weekend. It is unknown whether the Iceman will be fit enough to play this week’s Premier League, but he would line up against Jonny Clayton if he did. Although Price produced a mega average against MVG while injured last week, it would be hard to not fancy Clayton progressing.
The Ferret’s Premier League form has faltered slightly since bursting out the blocks on the opening few nights. He’s yet to reach a final since Night 2 and has only reached a semi-final on one occasion since. However, this might be the boost he needs and he is currently 11/2 to become Night 7 champion.
Flying Scotsman hoping to keep the train chugging
Gary Anderson (8/1) hadn’t won since the opening night before storming to Night 6 success last week. Posting a 101 average in the semis before scoring a 104 average in the final, it was clear that he still oozes class. He then went on to reach the final of Players’ Championship 5 over the weekend, narrowly losing out to Damon Heta. Time will tell as to whether he will keep the momentum going this week but has a great chance against bottom of the league Joe Cullen.
As mentioned, Cullen (12/1) currently occupies bottom spot but was agonisingly close to winning Night 2. Since then, it’s hasn’t been smooth sailing for Cullen, but a run to the semi-finals of Players’ Championship 5 over the weekend will have given him a good confidence boost.
Snakebite aiming to bounce back
It was a weekend to forget for Peter Wright, who exited both Players’ Championships in the opening round. He is another who has had his injury woes recently, so he may still be feeling the effects. The World Number One currently sits two points adrift of Michael van Gerwen at the top of the table and will be hoping he can claim his second Premier League Night of the year. He plays James Wade in his opening game and is priced at 7/2 to go all the way.
The Machine (10/1) currently sits second from bottom, two points ahead of debutant Joe Cullen, and reached the final on Night 3. He’s won one of three Premier League games since then but will be hoping to get the cogs turning once more.
