Rob Cross v Simon Whitlock: Whitlock (+2.5) legs – Evens
It seems like Rob Cross is suffering from a World Championship hangover worse than our social team’s since they returned from the Super Bowl.
The world champion was dismissed with ease by Michael van Gerwan (7-2) in Dublin on Week 1 of the Premier League and subsequently went on to lose three matches in the UK Open Qualifiers last weekend.
Who saw this performance coming last week?
The Wizard Simon Whitlock looked at home on the big stage as he fired a 105 average and some brilliant checkouts… including this stunning 160!#Unibet180 #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/5k9qvPZBbO
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 6, 2018
He’ll need to straighten his darts if he’s to take down a resurgent Simon Whitlock in Cardiff on Thursday. The Aussie arrower mightn’t need to conjure up some magic to shut down Cross as Whitlock has rediscovered that winning feeling of late, impressively knocking off Mensur Suljovic last week.
We fancy the Wizard to keep it close in Wales and the (+2.5) legs handicap at Evens is worth checking out. However, with the way Cross has played recently, don’t rule out a win for Whitlock at 7/2 either.
Arrow over to PaddyPower.com to all the latest Darts oddsThree legs in a row for Raymond van Barneveld to lead 3-2 in this one. #LoveTheDarts #Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/vs49AwyIbV
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 1, 2018
Raymond van Barneveld v Mensur Suljovic: Van Barneveld to score the Most 180s – 4/9
A favourite whenever people hear ‘Eye of the Tiger’, Raymond van Barneveld certainly came out in fighting form in Week 1.
The Dutch master looked a beaten man at 6-3 down to Daryl Gurney, but stormed back to reel off three legs on the spin to secure a draw – much to the delight of the Dublin crowd.
The stat that pricked out ears the most from that tie was the fact that Barney landed four 180s and he faces Mensur Suljovic on Thursday, who could only manage a single maximum in his 7-5 loss to Whitlock.
The Austrian struggled for consistency in that one and with Van Barneveld being a Premier League veteran, we’re tipping him to have the most 180s in this one at 4/9.
DRAW!
A superb recovery from Gerwyn Price against a lacklustre Peter Wright as the Welshman snatches a point on his @unibet Premier League debut#Unibet180 #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/SdkQOiVrqf
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 1, 2018
Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson: Price to have Most 180s, High Checkout & Win Match – 8/1
Okay, this might seem like we are trying to hit a 170 outshot, but hear us out.
Injury doubts about Gary Anderson’s back have persisted since his World Championship semi-final defeat to Phil Taylor in December and The Flying Scotsman looked completely out-of-sorts last week when he dropped six straight legs to somehow lose 7-5 to Micheal Smith.
Gerwyn Price should also have extra motivation heading into this, after completely dominating Peter Wright in Dublin, but only coming away with a draw. The Iceman did plough in a lovely 116 finish in that game and could be on the cusp of a big breakthrough victory on our TV screens anytime soon.
If there’s ever a time for him to pull it off, Thursday night could be his best opportunity and if you fancy a value gamble, then why not chance Price to have the most 180s, highest checkout and win the match at 8/1!
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