DARTS expert expert Kyle Brown (@Kyleianbrown) talks us through the fifth week of Premier League action, picking out his favourite fancies.
Week 5 – Thursday 7th March 2019 | Aberdeen
- Michael Smith (6/4 Bet365) v Rob Cross (7/5 Betfair)
- Daryl Gurney (6/4 Marathon) v James Wade (6/4 Betfair)
- Mensur Suljovic (13/8 Betfred) v Gerwyn Price (11/8 William Hill)
- Raymond van Barneveld (3/1 Boylesports) v Peter Wright (4/5 BetVictor)
- Michael van Gerwen (1/5 Betfair) v John Henderson (10/1 Bet365)
*Predicted winners in bold, neither indicates draw.
The Week 5 Betting Angle
Is Michael van Gerwen in a slump? A poor performance last week from the reigning champion was pounced upon by James Wade as the Dutchman suffered his first Premier League defeat. He was then dispatched from the U.K. Open by Mervyn King (rather easily). He’s certainly not playing at his best, but contender John Henderson’s price of 10/1 makes me wonder just how much of an outsider he would be if MvG was on a hot run of form.
Elsewhere, in the U.K. Open we saw three Premier League players make the semi-final: Michael Smith, Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price. Neither of the three won, due to Nathan Aspinall building on his World Championship form, and he is surely now odds-on to be taking part in next year’s Premier League.
Cross will need to pick himself up after losing yet another televised event, but up until the semi final all three played extremely well – not losing that momentum will be key.
The Iceman is fired up
Gerwyn “The Iceman” Price let another commanding position slip last week as he drew 6-6 with contender Luke Humphries. As mentioned above, he did reach the U.K. Open semi-final over the weekend and is continuing his remarkable form.
Price was favourite to win the Open when it reached the final four despite the pedigree of his opponents, which speaks volume to his current playing ability. I expect him to dispatch Mesnur Suljovic who has been very hot and cold through this first four weeks.
Price will see this as a game he should win and an opportunity to push him up the standings. He's 11/8 at William Hill.
MvG will bounce back
I’ve already mentioned about van Gerwen’s slump (if you can even call it that) but he is without question a much better player than Henderson.
Henderson may have the Scottish crowd to his advantage, but MvG will be playing angry after two defeats over the course of three days and I see him being unstoppable. A first 7-0 win of the 2019 season wouldn’t be unthinkable.
This is MvG’s 6th appearance in the Premier League and he’s only lost back-to-back games once. That stat will be in tact come the conclusion of Thursday night. He’s odds-on to win, score the most 180’s and to score the highest checkout. You can group them all together for the match treble with Sky Bet, at a respectable price of 5/4.
Best Bets
Mensur Suljovic v Gerwyn Price – Gerwyn Price to win (11/8 William Hill)
Michael van Gerwen v John Henderson – Michael van Gerwen match treble: win, most 180s and highest checkout (5/4 Sky Bet)
