With five weeks remaining until the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena, the pressure for points is building amongst the eight contenders in this season’s Premier League. Cardiff hosts the action this weekend, with Welshman Gerwyn Price expecting a rare good reception from his patriots inside the Motorpoint Arena.
Rob Cross and MVG are continuing to set the pace, with a five and four point gap, respectively, separating them from the four players tied on twelve points behind them. These four can only go into two spot, with Wade, Price, Suljovic and Gurney all vying for places three and four.
Wright and Smith aren’t quite out of it just yet, however, Snakebite and Bully Boy are both aware that they need to win a majority of their remaining matches if they are to feature on the 23rd May.
The headline match this week is the battle of the top two. Cross and van Gerwen will slug it out for top spot, with both guys peaking at the best time. Cross suffered last season following on from his dramatic maiden world championship win, but looks back on track dispelling the myth that he was a “one season wonder”.
Let’s take a closer look at the other action coming out of Cardiff on Thursday:
Mensur Suljovic vs Daryl Gurney
Mensur averaged only 89 last week in Liverpool, with Gentle showing abnormal form following four wins in five. Gurney has struggled to get over the line in the last couple of fixtures and knows that both points are needed to leap back into the top four. This one looks highly likely to go down to the wire, with a 7-7 draw worth a punt.
Suljovic vs Gurney draw @ 10/3 (BetVictor)
Rob Cross vs Michael van Gerwen
Both look secure in their hunt for a playoff spot this season, however, this fixture in Cardiff could well go on to determine the winner of this season’s league stage. Cross is the best player in the league at the moment and should be able to stifle MVG’s momentum at the oche. His slower pace may frustrate Mighty Mike. 8-6 to Cross in a thriller.
Rob Cross to win @ 10/3 (BetVictor)
Michael Smith vs Gerwyn Price
Smith is four points off the playoff spots, knowing that five wins in his last five matches is realistically the only way Bully Boy will return to the O2. Price is back in the top four having gone unbeaten in three, this being said, Smith’s desperate hunger may prove the different in Price’s backyard. Smith to throw the most 180s and win this fixture, as Price fails to deal with the pressure.
Smith most 180s @ 4/6 (BetVictor)
Peter Wright vs James Wade
Stuck on twelve points with three other players, Wade knows that a single slip-up could see him escape out of the bottom of the playoff spots. Wright is capable of beating anyone on his day, but is proving too unpredictable week-on-week. Wade is the opposite, and should be able to get the better of Snakebite. 8-5 to Wade after a strong start. It’ll be tight in the 180 race.
8-5 to Wade @ 7/1 (BetVictor)
