Two weeks remain, and four points are left for each player to slug it out for as the Premier League hits Sheffield this Thursday. Rob Cross is the only player home-and-hosed in terms of the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena, however, ‘Voltage’ will be setting his sights on winning the league phase, and stopping the run of Michael van Gerwen.
In terms of the race for the top four, Smith and Wright have been eliminated, leaving Wade, Suljovic, Gurney and Price scrapping for two more spots (assuming MVG will gain one point from his last two matches). (He will…).
Wade looks the strongest out of the bunch, and with a +18 leg difference, ‘The Machine’ effectively has a point to play with – presuming he doesn’t get swept 8-0 this week against Smith!
Gurney vs. Price is the standout fixture, a loss to either proving costly in their chances of a playoff spot. Gurney has shown he can beat anyone on his day, and with Price tailing off in recent weeks, the Northern Irishman will be confident ahead of Thursday evening.
We are still awaiting a 9-darter in this year’s Premier League. With the pressure off for some of the league and the pressure well and truly on for the others, these last two weeks are the most likely to lure the perfect leg out of one of the players. Gerwyn Price has come the closest, and has found himself three darts away on a number of occasions!
Let’s take a closer look at the action from the FlyDSA Arena on Thursday:
Michael Smith vs James Wade
A win for Wade against the already eliminated Smith will guarantee ‘The Machine’ a spot in the playoffs. Smith’s doubling hasn’t been up to scratch this season, with Wade likely to capitalise in stealing legs late. Wade should win at a canter if his eye is in. Wade to pop the most 180s shows value too.
James Wade to win @ 1/1 (BetVictor)
Mensur Suljovic vs Rob Cross
A point may be enough for Suljovic against top-of-the-league Cross, as the Austrian looks to defend his playoff spot. Cross has lost just three times all season and looks a good bet to join the limited list of league winners. All fourteen legs could be thrown here, with the slow pace suiting both.
Daryl Gurney vs Gerwyn Price
This fixture could prove to mean a lot in the race for the playoffs. A win for Gurney all but eliminates Price, but a win for the Welshman will leapfrog him above ‘Superchin’. Gurney is the form player having won his last two (including doing the double over MVG). Back Gurney in the outrights, coupled with the most 180s.
Gurney to win @ 5/4 (BetVictor)
Over 13.5 legs @ 8/13 (BetVictor)
Michael van Gerwen vs Peter Wright
Wright struggles against van Gerwen at the best of times, let alone when there is the gulf between form that there currently is. The Dutchman will be eyeing up a return to the top of the league and won’t let ‘Snakebite’ stand in his way. 8-2 or 8-1 to MVG here.
MVG 8-2 Wright @ 6/1 (BetVictor)
