After some close contests in the first week, we're expecting another brilliant night of darts for Week 2 of the Unibet Premier League of Darts. Michael van Gerwen shot out of the blocks with a big win in the opening week, while the performance of the night arguably went to Australian Simon Whitlock. If "The Wizard" can produce that standard every week then he's going to ensure he avoids relegation. There are concerns over the form of World Champ Rob Cross, so he'll be looking to bounce back this week, while an injury cloud continues to loom over two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.
How will it all unfold for Week 2? Let's take a look and preview this week's matches!
Michael Smith vs Daryl Gurney
The first match of the night sees Michael Smith take on Daryl Gurney, and although Gurney is favourite, the outcome of this one might not be as clear cut as you think.
Michael Smith came back from 5-1 down against an ailing Gary Anderson to secure a win last week, and followed that up with some very impressive performances in the UK Open Qualifiers over the weekend. Smith reached the final in Q1, going down to MVG, before reversing that result in Q3. He whipped MVG 6-1 in the quarter-finals, before whitewashing the final to claim his first PDC title of the year. It was also MVG’s first loss of the year! That’s good form!
Gurney had some strong moments in his first-week draw against Raymond van Barneveld, but doesn’t yet seem back to his form of mid-2017. He has the potential to go a long way in the Premier League but is perhaps still finding his feet. This would be a match he would want to win, but I don’t think he’s going to get an easy time with Smith playing so confidently.
I really like Smith to cause an upset here. Take the +1.5 game handicap for a little more safety, but we’re getting a better price around a head-to-head victory. Also don't mind the over 6.5 180s market with both of these guys known to hit plenty of maximums.
TIP: Michael Smith to win - $2.88 at Unibet
TIP: Michael Smith vs Daryl Gurney over 6.5 180s - $1.67 at Ladbrokes
Rob Cross vs Simon Whitlock
This is a well-timed match-up for Rob Cross, but certainly not one he’ll want to drop. After he struggled against MVG last week, Cross had a shocking weekend in the UK Open Qualifiers bowing out in the first round in all three tournaments (one against Aussie young gun Corey Cadby). Perhaps a little pressure is building on the World Champ to live up to expectations, so he’s probably happy to be up against one of the perceived weaker players in the league in Australian Simon Whitlock. But again, the expectation is a win, so if Cross doesn’t deliver here, there could be a lot of pressure for the rest of the season.
Whitlock was our pick to be relegated this season, but he was sensational last week averaging 106.49 with 7/8 checkouts. It was probably the performance of the night as he came back to defeat Mensur Suljovic. This is another big test for Whitlock. If he can bring that same form, there’s no reason he can’t win, but consistency is not his strong suit.
I think Cross should win, but given the contrasting form lines, it's hard to know who is going to turn up, so I think it’s best to sit this one out.
TIP: No Bet
Michael van Gerwen vs Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen has been in superb form recently and looks back to his best following the World Championships disappointment. We mentioned how Smith got past him in the UK Open Qualifier 3 event, but before that, MVG has secured the titles in both Q1 and Q2 events to clock his 100th PDC title which is a remarkable achievement. His average was excellent all weekend and he even had a nine-darter along the way for good measure.
By contrast, Peter Wright has had a slow start to the year. After he dominated the early stages of 2017, Wright’s preparation for this year's World Champs was cut short by illness, and his form has been patchy. Last week in the Premier League, Wright had to be content with a draw against Gerwyn Price and a loss here will leave him off the pace already. Strangely, he used Phil Taylor’s brand of darts which is a far different shape to his usual configuration. His constant changing of equipment is just baffling and shows signs of a man who is just not comfortable with his game.
It’s the number one versus the number two in the world, but this certainly doesn’t have the feel of a heavyweight fight. I think MVG is going to romp home and happy to take him at the handicap.
TIP: Michael van Gerwen -2.5 games vs Peter Wright - $1.61 at Sportsbet
Gerwyn Price vs Gary Anderson
Another interesting match here with Gerwyn Price up against Gary Anderson. Price is a fair underdog but is capable of an upset here. Price pulled a draw against Peter Wright last week in an impressive debut performance and some more points here would be a solid start to his Premier League campaign. We know that he has the intensity and composure to thrive on the big stage and he’s going to give Anderson a real push here.
This match is more about Gary Anderson. How bad is his back? By all reports, he struggled to even stand at the oche last week which doesn’t sound too good. Eventhough he jumped out to a 5-1 lead against Michael Smith, his average was still only in the low 90s at that point. After a debacle on double one, that resulted in a staggering 14 missed darts at securing at least a point, Anderson’s average ended at a paltry 82.46. That’s not going to beat anyone in the Premier League. So which Anderson will turn up? The two-time World Champion or the injured mess from last week?
Given the physical concerns over Anderson, you’d have to give Price a chance here, and Price is the sort of player that can lift when he smells blood in the water. You can nibble the head-to-head price or take the leg handicap option for a more conservative play.
TIP: Gerwyn Price +2.5 games vs Gary Anderson - $1.53 at Ladbrokes
Raymond van Barneveld vs Mensur Suljovic
The final match of the evening will see Mensur Suljovic attempt to get his first points of the season against Raymond van Barneveld. Suljovic would be disappointed with the result from his first match against Simon Whitlock, but the reality is that he didn’t play badly at all. He had three brilliant ton-plus checkouts and averaged 103.71 which is going to win you most games, but Whitlock was just on fire. If Suljovic can continue to bring that form, he’ll earn plenty of Premier League points this season.
Barney’s form was a little mixed last week. He got away with a point for a draw against Daryl Gurney but an average of 93.78 and 6/20 on checkouts wasn’t his best. Barney has the experience to play below his best and still win matches, but he can drop the intensity against the lower-ranked players, as evident by his poor showing in the UK Open Qualifiers over the weekend.
This should be a great game, but I think Barney can get the win. The 180s line looks a bit low so we'll make a play there as well.
TIP: Raymond van Barneveld to win - $2.05 at Unibet
TIP: Raymond van Barneveld vs Mensur Suljovic over 4.5 180s - $1.73 at Unibet
