Darts Premier League
Premier League Darts Night Five: Snakebite on top of the world
Last weekend’s UK Open did not disappoint. Not only has a new PDC Major Champion been crowned in Danny Noppert, but we’ve now got a new world number one – ‘Snakebite’ Peter Wright.
Wright was beaten in the Last 16 by William O’Connor but Gerwyn Price had to reach the final to remain world number one. He was unable to do so bowing out to eventual runner-up Michael Smith in the quarterfinals. It’s not hard to envision that the pair will each have their time at the top this year and it’s safe to say this will happen all the way up to the World Championships.
The focus is now firmly on this Thursday’s Premier League Night Five and an opportunity to build lost momentum. In this blog, we take a look at the Night Five fixtures, and who could be the outright winner.
Top of the League, top of the Order of Merit
Where else to start but with the current world number one. Wright is now etched into the history books as the first Scotsman to become PDC world number one, a feat that looked increasingly likely over the past few years. Now he’s on top, the challenge is to stay there, and you can count on Price to be back with a vengeance.
There was no shame in Wright bowing out at the quarter-final stage of the UK Open. He averaged over 100 in two of his three games, one of which being his exit at the hands of O’Connor.
Wright has reached two finals of this year’s Premier League already, winning on Night One before most recently being on the other end of a Michael van Gerwen masterclass on Night Four. He has an extremely tough opening match against the defending champion Jonny Clayton this week, which, if he wins, will be followed by either Gary Anderson or Michael Smith. It’s another excellent opportunity as you’d fancy him to go all the way if he can beat Clayton and extend his lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Clayton has struggled in his last two Premier League fixtures. After reaching the final of the opening two nights and winning on Night Two, he’s been dumped out in his opening game on his most recent two outings. Like Wright, Clayton exited this year’s UK Open at the quarter-final stage, so will be looking to build back his momentum.
Wright is 8/11 to beat Clayton in his opening game.
The Iceman left feeling frosty
Price made it clear after his loss to Michael Smith in the World Championship quarter-finals that it hit him hard. Various social media posts showed how much the world number one spot meant to him. It was another episode of Price against the crowd and the crowd seemingly won this encounter. Think what you want of the Iceman, but he’s one of, if not the best, on the circuit right now.
We know what he’s like though, and he’ll be back stronger than ever. A win this Thursday would be a huge statement of intent and will be massive in building back his confidence.
Price starts the night off against Joe Cullen and a win would set up a match between either James Wade or MVG. All winnable games for the Iceman, whose 4/9 to beat Cullen. This could set up a mouth-watering final against Peter Wright – who doesn’t want to see that?!
Smith left feeling second best
It’s been a similar tale for most of Michael Smith’s career as his long wait for a major continues. Tipped for greatness by many but faltering at the final hurdle so many times. It will no doubt come. When at his best Smith makes throwing arrows look unnervingly easy. It just simply wasn’t for Bullyboy, and unfortunately, it’s not happening for him in the Premier League either. He picked up his first win last week against Joe Cullen and has another good chance against Gary Anderson who, like himself, has only managed one win in the opening four nights.
It offers a great chance for Smith, but Anderson shouldn’t be underestimated. If he shows up, the former two-time World Champion is a force to be reckoned with. He got incredibly unlucky in the UK Open draw, being paired against Michael van Gerwen in the Last 64 and bowing out early doors.
Both have the opportunity to turn their form around with Smith priced at 8/15 to win the match and Anderson priced at 6/4.
MVG hoping to go back-to-back
MVG looked back to his best during night Four, only dropping three sets throughout the night and romping home to his first Premier League night win. That win saw him climb to second in the table. He’s made a habit of winning at least his opening game, not bowing out in the opening round since Night One. Many wondered whether he could carry that monstrous form into the UK Open and win it, but Damon Heta proved a stumbling block in the Last 32. Both men averaged over 100 but it was Heta who asserted his dominance to win by a six-leg advantage.
Van Gerwen’s opening game of the night is against James Wade, who enjoyed a decent run to the quarter-finals in an effort to defend his UK Open crown. Wade has also found his feet in this year’s Premier League, reaching the final of Night Three and the semi-finals of Night Four.
MVG could prove a tough object to move if on similar form to last week and is 4/11 to beat Wade in the opening game, with the Machine 21/10 to progress through to the semis.
