Sixteen weeks of top arrows culminates in the Premier League Play-Offs at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday night.
Nine players have been whittled down to four with Michael van Gerwen, Daryl Gurney, Rob Cross and James Wade left to fight it out for the 2019 title.
Will ‘Mighty Mike’ make it four wins on the spin or will someone be able to stop him? Our darts betting expert previews the night’s action and gives you the best darts bets for both semi-final encounters.
Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney
Once again Michael van Gerwen ended on top spot following the regular Premier League season and the Dutchman, despite the odd blip here and there, is still the formidable force in the sport.
His semi-final rival has produced some great darts in recent weeks, winning three and drawing one of his last four matches to reach the Play-Offs.
Most players’ records against Van Gerwen look bleak and while Gurney has lost 15 of the previous 20 contests between the two, he has actually won three of the last four, including two Premier League wins and an 11-9 success in the Players Championships.
Although I expect the world No.1 to get the better of ‘Superchin’ on this occasion, I feel it will be closer than many predict, so go with a 10-7 van Gerwen win at 13/2.
Rob Cross v James Wade
It’s a battle of the Englishmen as ‘Voltage’ takes on ‘The Machine’ for a place in the Play-Off final.
There is little to separate these two on form and head-to-head records with both having won three of their six previous meetings.
In the regular Premier League season, Cross got the better of Wade 7-4 in February, however, the pair had a dress rehearsal for this week’s semi-final at the final match of the regular season, which saw Wade edge it 8-6.
Both players have been a model of consistency throughout the league and have been in the Play-Off spots since week 11 and much like last week, I expect this one to be a close call with whoever holds their nerve and hits the crucial doubles at the key moments likely to emerge victorious.
While Cross may be the heavier scorer, I feel Wade’s know how may just see him over the line so I predict a 10-8 Wade win at 8/1.
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