Darts Tips: Your best bets with 20/1 punt for Premier League semis on Thursday

Our darts trader Alex Dormor runs the rule over two meaty clashes.

7.15pm: Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
Most 180s and Win Match – Gerwyn Price
Both Players to checkout 120+

8.15pm: Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen
Most 180s, High Checkout & Win Match – Michael Smith
12 or more 180’s, 3 or more 100+ checkouts & 2 or more legs finish on bull

Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton face each other for the sixth time in this year’s Premier League. The Iceman won the league phase comfortably, while The Ferret wriggled through to finals night, securing 4th place thanks to Price’s defeat of Nathan Aspinall last week.

Most 180s and Win Match – Gerwyn Price

Price comfortably leads the head-to-head between the two this year with four wins out of five (the -3.5 handicap landed in three of those) and a comprehensive 28-14 aggregate score in legs. Expect Price’s dominance to continue in the longer best-of-19 format in the Semi Final.

In terms of 180s, Price has averaged 0.33 per leg in the Premier League this year, with Clayton managing just 0.19. Over the longer format, Price should ease the 180s race and the Match Double which looks a good prospect at just shy of even money.

#WhatOdds Paddy – Both Players to checkout 120+

Clayton has managed a 120+ checkout in 11 of his 32 matches in the Premier League this year, including a 160 in his QF last week, and a 170 the week before. Price, meanwhile, hit two 120+ checkouts en route to the final last week. Over the longer format, both players to hit a 120+ checkout looks an appealing option at this price.

Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen

Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen have faced each other four times in the Premier League this year. They’ve shared the spoils with two wins each, though Michael Smith has won the two most recent meetings. Their only other meeting this year was the memorable World Championship Final (they were both on a nine!) and anything close to that at the O2 will be a real spectacle.

Most 180s, High Checkout & Win Match – Michael Smith

While it might look tough to pick a winner in this one, Smith’s record in recent meetings could give him the edge here. He’s a more prolific scorer than the Dutchman and has three 100+ checkouts to Van Gerwen’s one in their most recent meetings. With Smith coming into form at the right time in this Premier League, the Match Treble might look quite an appealing price for this one.

#WhatOdds Paddy – 12 or more total 180’s, 3 or more 100+ checkouts & 2 or more legs to finish on the bull

Only Gerwyn Price has hit more 180s than these two in the tournament this year. Smith has averaged 0.34 180s per leg, with MvG managing a very respectable 0.31. Over a possible 19 legs, this sort of scoring rate makes 12 or more 180s well within reach. There were three 100+ checkouts in their meeting on Night 15, with Smith hitting checkouts of 106 and 130 while MvG pinned a 154.

If both players produce the sorts of levels they showed at the Ally Pally in January, we could be in for a classic, with this 12 or more total 180’s, 3 or more 100+ checkouts & 2 or more legs to finish on the bull punt having a decent chance as well.

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