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February28February 28, 2019

Michael an Gerwen Wins Again As Barney Saves A Draw (Again)

Michael van Gerwen kept his 100% Darts Premier League record going by demolishing Rob Cross 7-2 at Dublin’s 3Arena last Thursday.

Mighty Mike found himself ahead 6-0 at one point leading many to believe that another whitewash was in the making. The world champion has achieved three of the previous nine shutouts in the tournament’s history but was ultimately unable to bank another here as he dropped two match darts at double four. Voltage responded by taking out 70 to avoid total humiliation before MVG spurned another three darts at doubles in the next leg for Cross to nab a second. Instead of going on a run, the former world champion missed a double 16 in the following leg leaving van Gerwen to successfully throw for the match. Van Gerwen averaged 101.93 compared to Cross’ tame 93.31, with the pair hitting two 180s each.

More action from Night 3

In the night’s opener, Gerwyn Price came from 5-2 down to earn another draw, this time against James Wade. The Welshman remains unbeaten in this season’s Premier League and won the opening leg but soon fell behind after Wade won three legs on the bounce from 2-2. The Machine then missed tops for a guaranteed point which breathed life into The Iceman who went on his own match levelling run. Price it was who took the lead to ensure he would leave Irish shores with at least a point but never looked like taking the lot as Wade impressively took the 12th leg with a 129 checkout leaving both players, booed throughout, with a share of the spoils. The Machine averaged 103.89 compared to Price’s 96.22 while both players hit five 180s apiece.

In match two, Peter Wright notched his first win of the new Premier League season with a 7-5 victory over the latest contender and home favourite, Steve Lennon. Snakebite had banked draws in each of his first two matches and got off to a slow start here, finding himself 3-0 down after as many legs. By the fourth leg, Wright — who averaged 96.95 — had begun to show some form, albeit scrappy. A 19-darter threw the Scotsman some hope before he reeled off four more legs on the spin to race into a 5-3 lead. The Shamrock — who averaged 90.8 — then scored a 92 checkout to force a deciding leg which went Wright’s way after he held his nerve on double 10 to take home all the points.

Daryl Gurney moved up to second in the table after he scored a 7-5 victory over Michael Smith, who is surprisingly winless this season. Bully Boy won the opening two legs before Superchin pulled level and then began to dominate, moving 4-2 ahead. Things took a surreal turn in the sixth as Gurney missed eight darts at doubles, while Smith wasted his first two after 21 darts before missing another two while attempting to take out 10. Eventually, he managed to land the double nine with his last dart and get back into the match, winning the next two legs with checkouts of 65 and 74. Gurney then held throw to restore parity before taking the last two legs and as many points. Northern Irishman Gurney averaged 99.14 compared to Smith’s 93.18, while both players hit four maximums each.

In last game of the night, Raymond van Barneveld, who is retiring at the end of the year, rescued a point from 5-1 down against Mensur Suljovic. Just as he had a week previously, Barney started badly as The Gentle went 3-0 up before the Dutchman won the fourth. Suljovic didn’t falter though, carrying on his briefly interrupted winning streak for another two legs before Barney bounced into life. The Dutch legend and 2014 Premier League champion broke the Austrian’s throw with a 13-darter to launch his own winning run that ended with back to back 14-darters to bring the match level at 5-5. Suljovic’s checkout of 48 in the 11th meant that he had guaranteed himself at least a point, went on to miss a match dart at double 19 leaving Barney open to return with a 92 finish and a share of the points.

Darts Premier League night 4 betting tips

First up this week is Gerwyn Price, who faces this week’s contender Luke Humphries. The Welshman is in the form of his life and is unbeaten so far in this season’s Premier League. He also recorded back-to-back PDC titles at the weekend when he took down a Players Championship event in Barnsley. Humphries ended Rob Cross’ World Championship defence at Ally Pally when he made to quarter-finals at the World Championships. Still, Cool Hand Luke still has his work cut here, and I would expect The Iceman to make it through this challenge comfortably too.

This match is followed by Daryl Gurney taking on Rob Cross where a draw looks like the likely outcome. Superchin has won his last two against Michael Smith and Glen Durrant, after losing to Gerwyn Price in night 1 so is the form player of the two. Meanwhile, Cross only just managed to avoid a whitewash against MVG in Dublin a week ago, and head to head both players have won three matches each in six meetings, so another close affair looks very likely.

On paper, match three looks like a shoo-in for Peter Wright, who faces Mensur Suljovic in an unpredictable pair: Snakebite continues to struggle for form and Mensur seemingly hates these Premier League nights. Wright sits fourth in the table with one win and two draws while The Gentle has two draws in three games. In nine meetings, Suljovic has won seven times but recent Premier League form means we must factor in the likelihood of a Wright win. It’s tough, but I’ll pick the night’s second tie here.

No such dilemma awaits in match four where Michael van Gerwen meets James Wade. The world number one showed exactly why he is the best after destroying Voltage a week ago, looking like he could go the whole season without dropping a point. Wade let go of a heavy lead last week, losing any hope he may have had likely meaning the points should go the way of the Dutchman.

Finally, I’m going to call Michael Smith to beat Raymond van Barneveld. Smith, last year’s Premier League runner-up, hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck in his first three matches and now, surprisingly, sits bottom of the table with one point. Comeback king Barney, on the other hand, has showed great character in the last two games to claim draws when all looked lost. Another poor start will not be salvaged against Bully Boy, who should record his first win of the season in Exeter.

So then, week 4’s accumulator with Betway looks like this; Gerwyn Price, draw, draw, MVG, Michael Smith which pays 67.36/1.

(11/4) Luke Humphries v Gerwyn Price (8/11)
(13/8) Daryl Gurney v Rob Cross (6/5)
(6/4) Mensur Suljovic v Peter Wright (13/10)
(2/7) Michael van Gerwen v James Wade (13/2)
(8/13) Michael Smith v Raymond van Barneveld (7/2)

QUICK GLANCE AT THE DARTS PREMIER LEAGUE – Night 4

Venue: Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Dates: Thursday 28.02.2019
Format: Best of 12 legs
Current Champion: Michael van Gerwen
Where To Watch: Sky Sports
When To Watch: (1900 GMT)

February20February 20, 2019

Snakebite and Bully Boy Share Points MVG Stays On Top

By Peter FryersIn

Darts Betting Tips

Night 2 of the 2019 Darts Premier League season got underway with a stalemate between Peter Wright and Michael Smith at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow last week.

Smith won the match’s last leg to salvage a 6-6 draw in the night’s opening match after letting a 4-1 lead slip away. Ahead by three, he looked set to move up 5-1, only to miss a dart at tops to give Wright an unlikely route back into the game.

A Valentines-themed Snakebite duly made him pay with a 60 checkout as part of a 15-dart break, only to see Smith break straight back. The Scotsman then produced a 64 checkout before holding to reduce the gap to 5-4. The two previous League runner-ups then split a sloppy leg in which Smith wasted six darts at doubles while Wright misfired three of his own before finally landing the match-leveling leg. Snakebite moved ahead to clinch a point and a likely win, only to see Smith fight back and hold on to his own throw to share the points.

Wright, who hit 40% of his doubles, produced an average of 88.95 compared to Smith’s 98.74. Smith hit three more 180s, which was ultimately undone by his poor checkout percentage of 26.32%.

A recap of Night 2

In other action from Night 2 of the 2019 PDC Premier League, Rob Cross scored his first win of the new season after coming from a 3-1 deficit to beat James Wade 7-4. Just as he did a week ago, Voltage averaged over 100 while The Machine scored a respectable 100.81 and one more maximum with both players landing 50% of their doubles. Cross moved ahead 5-3 after a superb 85 finish on the bullseye sent him two clear before guaranteeing himself at least a point with a 72 checkout. Wade was to take another leg before Voltage clinched the victory to move up the table.

Match three of the night produced another draw after Raymond van Barneveld came back from 5-2 down to rescue a point against Gerwyn Price. Price was given a hard time by the Glasgow crowd who haven’t forgotten his antics, which earned him a reprimand against Scots’ favourite Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson. In contrast, the soon-to-be-retiring Barney was cheered adoringly throughout his farewell performance in the city.

The atmosphere didn’t bother the Iceman who is getting used to these kinds of receptions, soon finding himself in the lead despite losing the opening leg. Price took out 107 before an 11-darter and a 120 checkout put him 3-1 up. The Welshman then banked a 14-darter before Barney claimed another leg for himself. A 13-dart break of throw was to follow for the former rugby player who then checked out for 82 to guarantee at least a draw and what looked to be a certain win. Unfortunately for Price, he wasted the first match dart that came his way as he couldn’t find tops to let Barney off the hook. Barney then went on a match-levelling run that included Price missing another match point, much to the delight of the fans.

Week 2’s contender, Glen Durrant was soundly beaten on his Premier League debut where he lost 7-3 to Daryl Gurney. The match marked Superchin’s his first victory of the season after he produced a doubles masterclass against the former BDO man. Duzza was standing in for Gary Anderson, producing a 99.89 average and four 180s. It wasn’t enough against Gurney, who successfully hit seven from nine attempts at a finish, ending the night with an average of 100.05.

The final match of the night saw Michael van Gerwen, already the only player to have a 100% record in the Premier League of Darts, bank a 7-3 win against Mensur Suljovic. The performance was hardly vintage form from MVG but was still enough to win comfortably, as he averaged just shy of 100 compared to his opponent’s 101.07. Mighty Mike missed 10 of his 17 attempts at doubles, but the Gentle wasted seven of his ten. This will never be enough to beat the Dutchman, even if he is playing slightly out of form. The world champion is looking to win the title for the fourth year in a row and has topped the table in each of his six Premier League seasons. Ominously, he already occupies first place in the table, with daylight opening up over Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price. Combine this fact with the absence of Gary Anderson this year and MVG already looks a champion in waiting.

Premier League Darts Night 3 betting tips

The third night of the Premier League takes place at the 3Arena in Dublin on Thursday and opens with a match between Gerwyn Price and James Wade. After surrendering the last four legs to Raymond Van Barneveld and blowing what should have been a certain win, there is every chance that Price could be deflated going into this week’s game. On the other hand, Wade will be looking to bounce back from his defeat to Rob Cross. Wade has the upper hand between the two, having won his last three meetings against the Welshman. I wouldn’t want to take a draw off the table either but will plump for James Wade to beat Gerwyn Price.

Surely this will be the week when Peter Wright finally gets a win to his name. Snakebite faces off against this week’s Contender, Irishman Steve Lennon. Wright earned himself a decent point last week when under extreme pressure, he staged a comeback from down 5-2 against Michael Smith. The 25-year-old Lennon will benefit from the home support in Dublin, but this is still a big step up for him, and the weight of the occasion could see him struggle. Add that to the fact that Smith has lost all three of his previous matches against Wright should mean we can count on Snakebite to deliver the win here.

Michael Van Gerwen steps out next against former world champion Rob Cross. Already, Van Gerwen looks certain to finish at the top and could do so unbeaten, especially given the absence of his closest rival Gary Anderson. Last week in Scotland, the Dutchman beat Mensur Suljovic without breaking out of first gear, which must have his rivals worried. For those considering going against the favourite, Cross is starting to look more like his old self, but Mighty Mike looks unbeatable right now, even when using half his powers.

Match four sees Michael Smith take on Daryl Gurney. Northern Irishman Gurney should be able to count on support from the home fans. A week ago in Dublin, Smith cited the crowd as one of the factors in blowing a 5-2 lead against Scotsman Wright. With that in mind, Superchin could have the edge in the tough-to-call encounter. That said, despite Gurney showing signs of a return to form by beating Glen Durrant in his last outing, Bully Boy wants to prove that he is one of the best players in the world right now. Head to head, he has also won six of his ten meetings with Gurney, and I would expect him to add to that tally here.

Raymond Van Barneveld and Mensur Suljovic close out the action in Dublin in what will be another tough match. Barney looked a beaten man against Gerwyn Price before stunning The Iceman with four consecutive legs to save a draw and his supporters, of which there are many. He hopes that his fans will provide the lift-off the Dutchman needs to kickstart his last ever Premier League campaign. In contrast, Suljovic seems to struggle in league games and hasn’t really improved on last year’s dismal showing so far this season. During that campaign, Barney beat The Gentle 7-5 and could be in line to repeat that this week.

Your Betway accumulator for week 3 reads as follows; James Wade, Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Raymond van Barneveld which pays 36/1.

(11/8) Gerwyn Price V James Wade (11/8)
(4/1) Steve Lennon V Peter Wright (1/2)
(4/9) Michael van Gerwen V Rob Cross (4/1)
(1/1) Michael Smith V Daryl Gurney (2/1)
(5/6) Mensur Suljovic V Raymond van Barneveld (5/2)

QUICK GLANCE AT THE DARTS PREMIER LEAGUE – Night 3

Venue: 3Arena, Dublin
Dates: Thursday 21.02.2019
Format: Best of 12 legs
Current Champion: Michael van Gerwen
Where to Watch: Sky Sports
When to Watch: (1900 GMT)

February13February 13, 2019

MVG Opens Darts Premier League Campaign With Bully Boy Win On Night 1

By Peter FryersIn

Darts Betting Tips

In a rematch of the World Championship final, Michael van Gerwen beat Michael Smith 7-5 to get his Premier League Darts campaign off to a winning start.

With an average of 105, Mighty Mike hit five 180s and successfully landed seven of his 12 doubles in a brilliant display. Bully Boy averaged only 10 points less with 95 while also hitting three fewer maximums and the highest checkout of the match with a 150. Smith even broke the van Gerwen throw in the opening leg with a finish of 93, but the lead wasn’t to last long as MVG wiped out with a 12-darter before breaking Smith back in the sixth saw to go 4-2 ahead. The scoreline read 5-5 not too long after as Smith broke again before banking a 150. He soon fell behind for the third and final time as MVG took out 56 under pressure, with Smith poised on 62, before an 11-darter secured victory and with it, maximum points.

More higlights from Night 1

After ten attempts, Gerwyn Price won his first ever Premier League Darts match thanks to an impressive and unexpected 7-4 victory over Daryl Gurney. The Iceman made his debut last season and managed only two draws before being eliminated on judgment night, but this time got his second season up and running thanks to an average of 104. For a while, it didn’t look good for Price as the Welshman dropped the first two legs to fall behind. This was before the former Rugby player reeled off five straight legs to build an impressive lead. Price, who was booed throughout, soon guaranteed himself at least a point before Superchin kept his fading hopes alive by winning the next few legs before Price dashed those hopes as he closed out the match. Showing no signs of nerves following his £21,500 fine and suspended three-month ban, the Iceman hit six 180s compared to Gurney’s zero while landing seven of his 16 darts doubles.

Another Premier League boo boy, James Wade, got his season underway with a win after he dealt an early blow to Raymond van Barneveld’s hopes of a successful farewell with a 7-4 win. With the first six legs going with throw, it was Barney who struck the first blow as he claimed the first break with a 14-darter. The Machine, who reached the Masters final on the previous Sunday, struck back with four successive legs, including a checkout of 124 on the bull to close out the match.

The first “contender” of this year’s Premier League season, local hero Chris Dobey was up next. He was roared on by the Geordie fans, brilliantly claiming a draw with Mensur Suljovic. In truth, the Newcastle man may feel a little disappointed given he had been holding a 5-1 lead after six legs and despite letting the win slip, he admits to wanting to experience such nights again in the future after his taster here.

Hollywood opened up with a 113 checkout in the first leg before racing clear and landing a flurry of 180s to rock Suljovic into an early scare. The Gentle, however, responded by taking down the next five legs to move within one from victory. But the Austrian’s hopes were dashed when he missed a double at 18 before Dobey stepped up to punish him with two 16s with a dart remaining. In the end, as well as sharing the points, both players hit six doubles from 17 shots. Suljovic boasted the slightly higher average of 100.99 compared to Dobey’s 98.52 but Hollywood edged the maximums by 6-5.

In the final game of the night, Rob Cross and Peter Wright also shared points after Voltage punished Snakebite’s missed match dart in the last leg of the contest to claim a 6-6 draw. In a match where both players averaged over 100, Cross raced into an early 3-1 lead before his Scottish opponent won three legs on the bounce to move ahead courtesy of a 100 checkout as well as an 11-darter. From there the next five legs all went with throw splitting the points.

Darts Premier League betting tips for Night 2

This week’s action gets underway with Peter Wright stepping out against Michael Smith. For me, the smart money is on Bully Boy, who needs to come up with a response after losing to MVG last week but who otherwise looks every inch of the world’s best players right now. In contrast, Snakebite has been looking shaky for a while now and should be heading into Thursday’s game with a win already under his belt. The fact he blew the lead at the last moment is hardly surprising, and in a best of 12, he would do well to even scrape a draw here. It’s also worth noting that Smith played two and won both of the Premier League matches against Wright 7-1 last year.

The next game of the night looks the most likely to reach a stalemate to me. In ten matches played head-to-head, they have won five each so this has all the makings of a close game. The Machine has already got points on the board following last week’s win against Barney, while Cross held his nerve to claim a draw with Wright, and I suspect he might just do the same in week two.

Raymond van Barneveld and Gerwyn Price are out next in a match that is likely to pour more misery on Barney’s farewell Premier League campaign. RVB’s last charge got off to a poor start a week ago, but can Price build on his first Premier League win? The Dutchman has a better record against Price, who has won only one of their six meetings. Still, Barney’s best days are behind him and the Iceman should be able to capitalise.

Chris Dobey got the ‘contenders’ off to a solid start last week when he secured a point against Mensur Suljovic. This week up steps newly blooded PDC man and standing BDO world champion, Glen Durrant to give us an early and fleeting look at what he brings to the code. While I am backing Superchin to take the points here, Duzza can be expected to seize his time to shine and prove why this decision to step up was the correct one. Last Sunday he lost in the final of a Players Championship to Dave Chisnall and could take advantage of Gurney’s lack of confidence following a loss of form. I am not sure he will and so I expect Gurney to have too much for him just yet.

Michael van Gerwen and Mensur Suljovic close out the evening in a match that looks like it should be a fairly routine win for the Dutchman. Mighty Mike proved once again, as if it was needed, that he is the man to beat last week and comes up against The Gentle who will need to improve on his night one performance. Suljovic showed fighting spirit when fighting back from 5-1 behind against Dobey, but MVG will not be quite so forgiving. Also, Van Gerwen has won seven of their last eight games, so there’s that.

This week’s Betway acca; Michael Smith, Draw, Gerwyn Price, Daryl Gurney and MVG (63.5/1)

Darts Premier League Night 2 matchups

(7/4) Peter Wright v Michael Smith (11/10)
(11/10) Rob Cross v James Wade (7/4)
(7/4) Raymond van Barneveld v Gerwen Price (11/10)
(7/5) Daryl Gurney v Glen Durrant (7/5)
(6/1) Mensur Suljovic v Michael van Gerwen (1/3)

Quick glance at the Darts Premier League – Night 2

Venue: SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Dates: Thursday 14.02.2019
Format: Best of 12 legs
Current Champion: Michael van Gerwen
Where To Watch: Sky Sports
When To Watch: (1900 GMT)