Gerwyn Price v James Wade
This a fascinating contest. Wade was the 2009 Premier League champion and has two points so far. In week one he beat Barney 7-4 but lost to Rob Cross last week. He’s averaged 99 and 100 through those two weeks, so he’s playing pretty decent darts at the moment, but Gerwyn Price is showing he’s really world class.
He’s unbeaten in the league; week one, he beat Daryl Gurney 7-4, and finished 6-6 with Barney, he should’ve beaten him after being 6-2 up and he nearly crossed the line.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: James Wade of England acknowledges the fans as he walks out prior to his match against Keegan Brown of England during Day Eleven of the 2019 William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on December 23, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
The Grand Slam champion, he averaged 104.11 in his first match and he’s playing some fantastic darts. I’m going for Gerwyn to win this opening match, a 7-4 victory is 5/1, but if you just want him to win he’s 13/10. He’s showing his class, The boys’ll be on his back as usual because he’s not popular anywhere on the circuit but 13/10 to win is a good price.
Steve Lennon v Peter Wright
Steve Lennon, 25-year-old Irishman, is the latest to enter the fray. He’s closing in on the world top 32. He reached the Dutch Darts Masters final where he played Michael van Gerwen and put up a decent fight.
But Peter Wright is too experienced to go against. He’s not playing brilliant darts at the moment, with two draws against Rob Cross and Michael Smith. He averaged 101.5 in his opener but only 88.95 in his second match. A 7-3 victory for Peter Wright is 11/2.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands celebrates victory in the Final match against Michael Smith of England during Day 17 of the 2019 William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on January 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross
I don’t see this as a one-sided affair. Rob Cross is playing superb darts. He promised a lot in the year he became world champion, he dropped off a precipice after that and didn’t play very well, but we’ expect him to do a bit better this season. The pressure of being the world champion is off his shoulders. He averaged 103 and 102 in his first two matches, a really solid start to his campaign with a win and a draw against James Wade and Peter Wright.
The averages are fantastic. He’ll give Michael a game. MVG is 1/2, 7/2 the draw, 4/1 Rob Cross. Many might fancy a Rob upset, but I’m going for a 7-5 victory for van Gerwen at a massive 7/1.
Michael Smith v Daryl Gurney
Michael Smith’s even money, and that’s a decent price for last year’s beaten finalist. He lost 7-5 to MVG in week one, and drew 6-6 with Peter Wright in Glasgow, though Snakebite didn’t play his best darts that night.
Gurney’ s really coming of age as a player. He smashed in two brilliant 121 finishes en route to a 7-3 victory over Glen Durrant last week, and Glen is winning prizes away from the TV cameras right now. I fancy Smith to do a job on Gurney in a tight, tense match. 7-5 to Michael Smith is 7-1.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 27: Raymond van Barneveld of the Netherlands waves to the crowd prior to his third round match against Vincent van der Voort of the Netherlands on day eleven of the 2018 William Hill PDC World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on December 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Mensur Suljovic v Raymond van Barneveld
Mensur’s 4/5 favourite here, 10/3 the draw with Barney 5/2. I fancy Raymond here. He battled back from the brink to claim a point against Gerwyn Price in Glasgow, lost the opener to Wade. It’s his final year as a professional, the Dublin fans absolutely love him, and there’ll be 10.000 at the 3Arena cheering him on on Thursday night. I fancy him to do it here aginst Mensur. He only has one point so far from a 6-6 draw against Chris Dobey. He lost 7-3 to MVG last week.
He must wonder where a win is coming from, he was relegated last year and averaged nearly 100 in every match he played. He lost a bit of confidence on the PL stage. I’m expecting Barneveld to put in a massive performance. A 7-4 victory is 12/1.
Treble – Price, Wright & Smith all to win is a 7/1 Paddy Power Special
*All odds correct at time of posting
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