The fourth and final phase of this year’s Darts Premier League returns this Monday for the last five nights of action. While not culminating in a spectacular playoff weekend in London, the event will at least have some fans in attendance.
Fans, more than in many other sports, are the lifeblood of darts. In part, because the game is at heart just a bit of pub-based silliness or what has been described in some quarters as “fat blokes throwing things at the wall”, but also because of the atmosphere that a crowd can help generate.
Darts might not be one of the nation’s most glamourous sports, or one of its more monied, but there is a reason darts is Sky Sports’ second most popular sport. It’s entertaining and fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously, a mood that is perfectly captured by the fans.
Fans who are back this week at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, albeit in reduced numbers. And they will get to witness the final five consecutive nights right up until the playoffs on Friday the 28th of May.
Night 13 pits the top two – Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall – against each other in a match that could prove decisive on how the final table looks and consequently how the playoffs shape up.
We always expected both of these players to qualify for the last four, even before the last-minute withdrawal of the world champion Gerwyn Price, who finishes above the other will make all the difference come Friday’s finals.
Bottom placed Peter Wright must beat James Wade, the guy directly above him in the table. Should the Snakebite lose and unless his shoulder has recovered over the break as he surely will, then I think that will signal curtains for his campaign.
While Dimitri Van den Bergh and Jose De Sousa are currently in the top four, keep an eye on the Ferret that is Jonny Clayton, who looks to be closing fast. The Welshman takes on both of these players either side of playing a potential lemon in Peter Wright, and I could easily see him joining Mighty Mike and The Asp in Friday’s foursomes.
The momentum for the final place could swing Van den Bergh’s way on Tuesday when he himself takes on Peter Wright. A win there, plus a defeat for De Sousa at the hands of Clayton, and we could have found a final four as early as then.
That final order could take shape on the last night of the regular campaign when Jonny Clayton takes on Dimitri Van den Bergh to see he finishes where.
Premier League Darts prediction final four: Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton and Dimitri Vanden Bergh.
Here are the current odds as set by the bet365 online sportsbook.
Venue: Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
Dates: 24th – 28th of May 2021
Format: Best of 12, 19, 21 legs
Current Champion: Glen Durrant
Where To Watch: Sky Sports Main Event
When To Watch: (1900 GMT)