Premier League Darts Night 9 preview: Price to break his Fast

The Premier League is back! Night 9 is upon us and we stay across the Irish Sea, this time in Belfast. Both Luke’s and both Michael’s are set for battle at the oche in the quarters, but Gerwyn Price needs points and we can see him getting them.

We preview all four matches below.

Luke Humphries v Luke Littler (19:15)

Luke Humphries is in astonishing form, having won his third consecutive Premier League night in Dublin on Night 8. Humphries is now top of the league with 22 points and we can’t see him slowing down.

In the first quarterfinal of the night Humphries takes on fellow World Championship finalist Luke Littler. Littler has taken to the World stage like a duck to water, however his results in the Premier League of late haven’t quite been in the same class having been turned over in his last two games rather comfortably by Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall. This being said, Luke Littler did win the first European Tour of the year, beating fellow Premier League competitor and former World Champ Rob Cross in the final. We think this is going to go down to the wire and be a close encounter but Humphries’ form may prove too strong in the final legs.

The alternative match treble of Luke Humphries to win the match and have the highest match checkout and Luke Littler with most 180s at a price of 5/1 is the play.

Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen (19:45)

The battle of the Michael’s is up next, and it should be a good match which could go either way. Michael van Gerwen lost in the final in Belfast last year to Chris Dobey, so he’ll be pleased history can’t repeat itself as Dobey isn’t in this year’s competition!

Michael Smith also lost in last week’s Irish final to a rampant Luke Humphries, so he will be eager to go one better in the Northern city of Belfast. This is going to be close, with a lot of their results finishing with only a leg or two difference every time they meet. This being said, we think that Michael van Gerwen is just going to pip Michael Smith to the post and win 6-5 in a deciding leg. Michael van Gerwen to win 6-5 is 11/2.

Nathan Aspinall v Gerwyn Price (20:15)

Both Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price haven’t met since Night 1 of the Premier League where Price came out victorious, winning 6-4. However, since then Price hasn’t been on the best form having only racked up a total of seven points and sits second bottom of the table.

Nathan Aspinall, on the other hand, has won a night and won double the number of games that Gerwyn Price has won. Both players won their quarterfinals 6-5 last week. Nathan Aspinall played well in his quarter final last week with a three-dart average of 101.40 in his win against Rob Cross. Price also showed a bit more last week when beating Michael van Gerwen with a three-dart average of 102.96. Price needs to put in a run of performances to climb the table and last week he showed signs of being back. We think Gerwyn Price will put in a good performance on Night 9, and Price is 7/2 to get the match treble.

Rob Cross v Peter Wright (20:45)

The last quarterfinal of the evening features two players who have not had a real impact on the competition so far, especially Peter Wright who has only managed to win one match. Rob Cross has been better, reaching the final on Night 5 after beating both Gerwyn Price and Luke Littler on his route there.

This match doesn’t seem to have the ingredients to wow but it is the Premier League and this fast format of darts could see a tight affair either way. Cross seems to have Wright’s number and has won his last five against the Scotsman, we can’t see this going any differently. When the pair met in the quarterfinals on Night 1, Cross won 6-3 and we can see the same result again. Cross to beat Wright 6-3 is 4/1.

Gerwyn Price needs to find some form and we can see him going the distance on Night 9, to claim his first night win. This is also Wayne Mardle’s pick so we are enhancing Gerwyn Price Night 9 Outright Winner to 7/1.

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