Three weeks of the 2018 Unibet Premier League Darts are in the books and we have surprise leaders with Michael Smith and Simon Whitlock both undefeated so far. Although they are new to the Premier League this season, their experience from previous Premier League seasons is clearly doing them a world of good. Compare that to newcomers Daryl Gurney, Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross and Mensur Suljovic who fill the bottom four spots on the table. They'll need to start turning it around quickly to stay out of the relegation zone!
We take a look at this week's matches in our Darts Premier League Week 4 Preview!
Michael Smith vs Simon Whitlock
The first match of the night is arguably the biggest, as the two undefeated players will clash to determine who will become the sole leader in this year’s Premier League.
Michael Smith has been in devastating form, which is really exciting to see. He doesn’t seem satisfied with just avoiding relegation, with talk about wanting to be the best in the world, which is great to hear. Last week, Smith easily overcame Mensur Suljovic. Smith’s scoring wasn’t his best – he didn’t throw a single 180 all night – but his checkouts were sublime. He barely missed a dart at tops and did it with ease.
It’s going to take some great darts from Whitlock if he’s going to get the win here. Whitlock continues to surprise this season after defeating Raymond van Barneveld last week to remain undefeated. Whitlock was again very strong with his checkouts going 7/12, and his checkout average of 55.26% for the season is superb. However I do feel he caught Barney on a bad night. Barney seemed sluggish and never really got going, allowing Whitlock to remain unpressured.
Whitlock is going to feel far more pressure in this match, and I think we’re getting a great price on Michael Smith to be the one to remain undefeated.
TIP: Michael Smith to win - $2.20 at Ladbrokes
Gerwyn Price vs Mensur Suljovic
At the other end of the scale, this is a desperate match for both Gerwyn Price and Mensur Suljovic with the loser seemingly destined for relegation. Price does have two draws under his belt, but if he can’t get past Suljovic, then there’s not going to be better opportunities for wins for him this season. Price started slowly against Daryl Gurney last week, but really turned it on in the second half of the match with two superb ton checkouts to snatch a point. He claimed he played rubbish, but those checkouts were excellent. If he can bring that sort of focus all the time, then he should be winning this match.
Mensur Suljovic sits on the bottom of the table at the moment with zero points to his name, but is his form really that bad? I thought he was going ok in losses to Whitlock and Barney, but he didn’t really get much going against Smith last week. The scoreline reads an easy win for Smith, but Suljovic did have chances to pinch some early legs. He missed several darts at his pet double 14, which normally never happens. Smith then punished him for his mistakes. Suljovic has to start taking his chances, but he’s not that far off the pace. His average of 99.14 is actually the second best in the league (behind MVG) despite his lack of victories.
I think the books have this one right with Suljovic a small favourite to win. I just worry about his mental toughness to compete with the best players in the world week in, week out. Both players haven’t brought their best yet, but at their best, I think Suljovic is the better player.
TIP: Mensur Suljovic to win - $2.20 at Unibet
TIP: Gerwyn Price to have most 180s - $1.62 at Ladbrokes
Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney
MVG bounced back from a loss in impressive style last week with a comprehensive 7-3 win over Gary Anderson in one of the most amazing matches you’ll ever see. Both players averaged over 110 and both had moments of sheer, gob-smacking brilliance. It was great to see both players back to their best.
If MVG brings that form again, then good luck Daryl Gurney. It could be a let down spot for MVG, but he does seem focussed on returning to the top of the league table. Gurney really needs to get a win on the board, but I don’t think this week will be it. Gurney should’ve beaten Barney in Week 1 and Price last week, but had to walk away with two draws. He is just struggling in those clutch moments. Gurney actually has the most 180s of anyone so far this season, but he’s yet to have a 100+ checkout and his checkout percentage of 29.63% is the third worst in the league.
I just don’t think Gurney is going to enjoy the pressure that MVG imparts on him here but we should see a high scoring contest with plenty of 180s.
TIP: Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney over 6.5 180s - $1.80 at Unibet
Rob Cross vs Raymond van Barneveld
The reigning World Champion got his first points on the board last week with a pretty comprehensive win against Peter Wright. Cross was really solid and if he brings that sort of form then he’s going to rise up the leaderboard throughout the season. We know what Cross is capable of, but he just didn’t bring it the first two weeks of the season. His checkout percentage of 27.03% is clearly the worst in the league, and he hasn’t checked out anything better than 72 so far. Clearly room for improvement.
I had really high hopes for Barney this season. With a lot of inexperienced players in the Premier League, I expected Barney to stand tall and push for a Playoffs spot. But last week he was pretty terrible against Simon Whitlock. He looked lethargic and uninterested. If he can’t step up the intensity here, he’s going to be in trouble.
I think this will be a good match, but keen on Cross to get himself another victory.
TIP: Rob Cross to win - $1.83 at Ladbrokes
Peter Wright vs Gary Anderson
A great match up to finish the evening. The winner will finish the evening inside the top four, while the loser will be back in the pack. Both players seem to have recovered from their own individual injuries/illness issues from earlier in the year and are getting back close to their best which is exciting for the league.
Most of the talk during the week was about Peter Wright’s reluctance to shake the hand of Rob Cross after last week’s match. It seemed that Wright was unhappy with Cross stomping on the stage. It really just seemed like sore loser behaviour and we expect better from the likable Snakebite. He has been playing well but Cross was too solid last week. After batting MVG the week prior, it’s a tough few weeks for Wright, and he’s going to have his work cut out for him again here.
Gary Anderson was back to his scintillating best last week against MVG, showing absolutely no signs of the back injury which he suffered early in the season. The leg where MVG missed a nine-darter and Anderson nailed the 170 checkout was the stuff of legends. Ando averaged 110.79 in the loss to announce that he is back, there’s no doubt about it!
There’s a few ways we can tackle this one. I’m keen on Anderson to win straight up, but I think you could also consider taking the overs on an average of 99.5. I also think the overs on the total 180s line looks a play in what should be a great match.
TIP: Gary Anderson to win - $2.10 at Unibet
TIP: Gary Anderson average over 99.5 - $1.90 at Sportsbet
TIP: Gary Anderson vs Peter Wright over 6.5 180s - $2.10 at Sportsbet
