Wade v Smith
James Wade’s been playing some brilliant darts recently. He’s on 17 points in the Premier League and hoping to complete the double over Michael Smith this week after a 7-4 victory in Rotterdam earlier in the campaign.
His average is over 100 for the whole tournament, which is fantastic as he’d normally average in the mid-nineties.
He’s even money while Smith is 7/4. He’s bottom of the table and was destroyed 8-1 by Rob Cross last week. He was a finalist here a year ago at the O2 and his form has dipped massively. While he’s scoring heavily, he’s finishing poorly. I’d fancy him to get the most 180s here at 8/15, but a James Wade victory should be secure and is good value at evens.
For a score prediction, 8-5 Wade at 17/2 is a big price.
PADDY POWER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF DARTS
BRIGHTON CENTRE 22/09/18
Cross v Suljovic
It’s amazing, Rob Cross can make darting history if Van Gerwen loses and he wins. He’d be only the third man in Premier League history to top the table – Phil Taylor did it the first eight years, MVG’s done it the last six.
It’s incredible really with all the matches we’ve had that only two men have finished in that top spot.
I fancy him to do it as well as he’s playing some great darts at the moment. He dismantled Michael last week in Manchester. He lost 7-5 when he met Suljoivc in Rotterdam, but he has only three defeats in the competition so far. He has Wade in the last week and Suljovic tonight, these are two very winnable games.
Mensur’s 21/10, the draw is 7/2, but I fancy Rob at 5/6, though it should be tight and an 8-6 win for the former World Champion stands out at 9/2.
Unibet Premier League Darts, 3 Arena, Dublin 1/2/2018
Daryl Gurney dejected after the game
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
Gurney v Price
This is a brilliant match. Gurney in fifth, Price in sixth and they’re both really in good form right now.
With Geryn Price, I’m just a little bit worried that he’s lost his nerve recently. He was thriving ff the crowds before, the boo-boys weren’t getting him down at all, he was even revelling in it, but he looked very down in the dumps last week. He wouldn’t shake James Wade’s hand after their match and I just worry whether it’s getting on his back now.
Certainly, from the rumours we heard after the match he was very unhappy with the crowd’s performance and it’s getting him down at the moment.
He’s 7/5 and I’d expect him to put up a battle but Gurney to win the match at 13/10. An 8-6 Gurney victory is 8/1.
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)
Van Gerwen v Wright
Paddy Power doesn’t fancy Peter Wright’s chances at 11/2 here. He was beaten 7-1 by the Dutchman in Rotterdam. He lost 8-6 to Suljoivic last week and it’s nine weeks since got his last win in the Premier League when he beat Barney.
He’s slipped to sixth in the World Rankings too, so you really wouldn’t fancy his chances here. He has stuck with the same set of darts the last few weeks, and he is playing some decent darts away from the main stage, but MVG is a nailed-on certainty to win, and an 8-4 victory is 6/1.
Dave’s Best Bet
Bet summary: An acca on these four bets pays out at approximately 19/2 with Paddy Power
*All odds correct at time of posting
Hit the bullseye with this 19/2 acca at PaddyPower.com