Gurney v Suljovic – 7.15pm
Quite an interesting match, a crucial match for the playoffs with both of these locked together on 12 points. Gurney won 7-3 when they met in Rotterdam. He also leads on the head-to-head, 8-5, so he’s got the sign over Mensur.
Suljovic has won four of his last six but lost 8-5 last week to Gerwyn Price when he only averaged 88. He’s a little out of sorts in the last week, he had a week off from the Pro Tour to regain a bit of confidence.
Gurney averaged over 104 last week in a 7-7 draw with James Wade. I’m looking at a Gurney win with most 180s and highest checkout at 4/1, and to win 8-5 is 17/2.
Gurney to win with most 180s and highest checkout – 4/1
Cross v Van Gerwen – 8pm
The top two in the league collide, world number two versus world number one. Van Gerwen thrashed Cross 7-2 in Dublin, and the head-to-head is all in MVG’s favour at 13-3.
Cross has won seven of his last eight in the Premier League but has never won more than two legs versus Michael in the Premier League.
MVG, competitor that he is, doesn’t like the fact that Cross is a point ahead of him at the top of the table.
This should be a fascinating match, but I’m going for an MVG victory and an 8-6 result in his favour is 9-2.
Van Gerwen 8-6 – 9/2
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Michael van Gerwen shakes hands ahead of his Semi Final Match against Rob Cross during the 2018 William Hill PDC World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on December 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Smith v Price – 8.45pm
This is a really interesting match. Michael Smith played well on the Pro Tour last weekend, he’s 5-4 here and I’d fancy him to do it. He’s at the foot of the table and needs to get a bit of confidence back.
Price jumped above Mensur Suljovic in the standings with an 8-5 victory over the Austrian last week, but I just think Smith is a better player and he’s coming good now. He needs to win every match now to have a chance of making the O2 at the end of May.
An 8-5 Smith victory is 5/1.
Smith 8-5 – 5/1
Wade v Wright – 9:45
Peter Wright’s been messing about with his set-up recently. He changed darts four times in one match recently and he lost 8-5 to Rob Cross last week. His last Premier League win as seven weeks ago against Barney in Aberdeen, where Raymond played very badly.
Wade is playing brilliantly. He claimed another PDC title against Jeffrey de Zwaan thanks to 8-5 victory in the Players Championship 12 in Barnsley last week. His Last Premier League win was three weeks ago and he drew 7-7 with Gurney in Liverpool last time out.
I’m expecting a convincing win for James Wade as I don’t like the way Peter Wright is playing at the moment. An 8-5 victory for Wade is 13/2.
Wade 8-5 – 13/2
NAP of the Week
I really fancy Daryl Gurney in the opening match. A Gurney win with most 180s and the highest checkout at 4/1 is a decent price with Gurney playing some good darts and Mensur out-of-sorts. A Superchin win in the first is my bet of the night.