The Darts Premier League hits fever pitch in the Netherlands this week, with two back-to-back events on Wednesday night and Thursday night coming from the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam.
After being forced into a double-header in Rotterdam last year, the PDC have decided to stick with the successful format, allowing the herds of Dutch darting fans to soak up the atmosphere of two Premier League nights.
Berlin didn’t disappoint last Thursday, with van Barneveld’s first win of the campaign stealing the headlines at the close of play. This result, coupled with Daryl Gurney’s shock win over MVG, has tightened things up at the bottom of the table, with Barney, Smith, Gurney and Price all looking over their shoulders in the upcoming weeks.
Rob Cross is continuing to set the pace at the top of the standings having notched up his fourth straight win of the league phase. Voltage is playing some of the best darts on the tour at the moment, and will be confident in reaching Finals Night at the O2 Arena as the number one seed.
Wade and Suljovic are continuing to knock on the door at the top, with The Machine and Gentle both occupying playoff spots at the start of play on Wednesday.
So let’s look at Wednesday’s action as this mad 24 hours of darts gets underway:
Gerwyn Price vs Michael Smith
Michael Smith has been the shock of this year’s Premier League. His positioning at second bottom has kept him three points off the playoff spots, with Barney breathing down his neck. Bully Boy can beat anyone on his day, but is growing visibly annoyed in this competition. Price has lost his last two, but will roar back in Rotterdam.
Gerwyn Price to win @ 6/4 (BetVictor)
James Wade vs Dimitri van den Bergh
Dimitri will be dancing his way onto the oche in Rotterdam, but may find himself walking into the brick wall that is The Machine. Wade has fallen out of the top two, but will be reluctant to become the first player to lose to a ‘Contender’. Wade’s finishing game is too strong, with a win inside 11.5 legs a good shout.
James Wade to win @ 6/5 (BetVictor)
Rob Cross vs Mensur Suljovic
Cross is arguably the standout player on the tour at the moment, and more importantly, one of the only players that doesn’t become frustrated by Suljovic’s slow throwing arm. Both went deep into the weekend’s European Tour event, but Voltage should have enough to remain on the top of the pile.
Player to score the highest checkout – Mensur Suljovic @ 11/10 (BetVictor)
Peter Wright vs Michael van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen’s 9-darter at the weekend underlined his natural ability – as if it was ever questioned. Wright is too unpredictable at the moment to get a win against his nemesis. MVG will be buoyed by the home support, and could rack up a fast victory. Under 10.5 legs provides value.
Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Peter Wright @ 5/1 (BetVictor)
Raymond van Barneveld vs Daryl Gurney
Barney is still in with a chance of avoiding being cut from the field come Judgement Night. This has turned into a real “4-pointer” to coin a football phrase, with both players desperate for a victory. The home support in Rotterdam may work against Barney; he’s often struggled when the pressure is on. Back a 6-6 draw, with Gurney the happier.
Raymond van Barneveld 6-6 Daryl Gurney @ 10/3 (BetVictor)
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