Darts Premier League
Premier League Night 1 Preview: Price favourite as Clayton bids to make a winning start
It’s that time of year when the Premier League of darts returns, with the new league format beginning in Cardiff on Thursday.
It’s a new-look tournament this year, with an entirely different format and only eight participants. On each of the 16 Premier League nights, there will be an individual tournament consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals and then a final, with points up for grabs – five for the winner, three for the runner-up and two for the semi-finalists. This will form the league table in which the top four will go into the playoffs.
In this blog, we take a look at the runners and riders, and who could make an impact in this year’s Premier League.
The Iceman and cool favourite
World number one Gerwyn Price heads the betting for this year’s Premier League at 3/1. At his best he’s unplayable but he was a fair way short of that when being knocked out of last week’s masters by fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton. Gezzy is yet to set the Premier League alight, having a career-high finish of 5th in both 2019 and 2020 and having to pull out of last year’s renewal.
It’s not been the greatest start for the Iceman, as he was knocked out of the World Championship and, as previously mentioned, the Masters at the quarter-final stages. With Peter Wright eyeing up his number one spot, Price will be looking for a strong opening night.
Snakebite looking to win maiden Premier League Trophy
Peter Wright (7/2) has had a rollercoaster start to the year, being crowned World Champion before crashing out of the Masters in the first round. A routine change of darts was the first thing those with an eagle eye would have noticed but, don’t get too used to them, they could be put away after that less than inspiring performance.
Wright enjoyed a stellar 2021, winning the most ranking titles out of any player and delivering on his promise of winning both the World Matchplay and the World Championships. He’s made the Premier League his goal, so will be hoping for a strong start on Night 1.
MVG could equal Phil Taylor’s record
Mighty Mike (4/1) is on the brink of making tournament history and could become the joint-most successful player in the competition alongside Phil Taylor. The Green Machine will be desperate to put a troublesome 2021 behind him, having not won a televised TV major since winning the 2020 Players Championship Finals.
He’s shown that the old spark is still there on numerous occasions, most notably when winning his first title of 2021 when beating Fallon Sherrock in the final of last year’s Nordic Masters.
When at his best he’s a force to be reckoned with and one that could sweep away the competition. He made it to last year’s semi-final, so he’ll feel confident of going better this time around.
Clayton set on defending his crown
If last year was the Year of the Ferret, what will this year bring for Jonny Clayton. Clayton was thrust into the limelight last year and went on to win four televised titles. It all started at the 2021 Masters when the Ferret beat Mervyn King in the final to earn his spot in the Premier League. He went on to win the lot and will be set on defending his crown.
He’s among the favourites for this year’s title, currently priced at 4/1, and is definitely in with a shout if operating at his best.
Smith back among the best
Like Price, Michael Smith is returning to the Premier League after missing last year’s competition but comes into this year’s event with some solid form. Having a blistering World Championship where he lost a close affair in the final to Peter Wright, it appears that a ‘big one’ is in touching distance for Bully Boy.
Smith was a runner-up in the 2018 edition of the tournament, but is more than capable of going one better this year (6/1).
Anderson has Premier League form
A Premier League ever-present, Gary Anderson (11/1) has form and experience in the competition. Although he’s been without a televised title since 2018, Anderson has qualified for the playoffs in six of his last seven Premier League stints. He’s also won the competition twice, first in 2011 and then in 2015.
Whether the new format will help or hinder his chances here is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure, you can never write off the Flying Scotsman.
Could it be a winning debut for Cullen?
Joe Cullen has been the story of the year so far. We’re only in January, but his Masters triumph last week was simply phenomenal. He began making serious waves at the early stages of 2021 where he picked up a handful of Players Championships but failed to win a ‘big one’. That was until he beat Dave Chisnall in the Masters final.
It’s certainly worth noting that the last two Premier League winners have been debutants (Glen Durrant and Jonny Clayton). Could we see that trend continue this year? The Rockstar is 12/1 to go all the way.
Wade eyeing up second Premier League success
Another mainstay within the darting elite, James Wade will be appearing in his 12th Premier League. The Machine appeared in the final of his first three Premier Leagues, winning the tournament at the second time of asking. Since then, he’s reached the semi-finals on three separate occasions, although he came sixth in last year’s renewal.
The 10-time major winner rounds off the market at 20/1.
