Premier League Darts Night 13 preview

It’s a huge week in the Premier League of Darts with 16 matches across four days to decide who will make the playoffs. As we build to a thrilling finale it’s all up for grabs with only four points separating Gary Anderson in second and Michael Smith in seventh.

So strap yourselves in for a feast of darting duels as we look ahead to the four matches that take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Glen Durrant vs. Michael Smith

Glen Durrant may not be the most stylish player to watch. He might not have Peter Wright’s wardrobe, Gerwyn Price’s emotion, or Michael van Gerwen’s star power – but oh my days is he a phenomenal darts player.

Last week Durrant went six Premier League games unbeaten, winning four and drawing two. He’s only lost once in the league this year and sits four points clear at the top of the table.

Smith is battling hard for a playoff push but after a solid start has lost four of his six games since the resumption and struggled to find his top tungsten level over the last week.

Smith has the scoring power to do some damage here – he hit 35 maximums last week compared to Durrant’s 17 – but you can’t back against the three-time BDO World Champion in the form he’s in and I’m happy to bet on Duzza at +120.

Daryl Gurney vs. Gary Anderson

If Durrant was the form man last week, Anderson wasn’t far behind him. The Scot was sixth when the Premier League went into lockdown but lost just one of his six matches last week and jumped up to second – beating Peter Wright, MVG and taking a point of Durrant.

Anderson’s performance against Michael Smith last week was sheer beauty. Darting poetry in motion. A 109 average, 3 180s and seven of his eight doubles hit. He was untouchable.

24 hours later he was hammered 7-1 by Gerwyn Price

A day later he bounced back to beat World Number one Michael van Gerwen 7-4.

That level of inconsistency is worrying for punters, but against Daryl Gurney we can park that concern and get on board the Flying Scotsman.

Gurney needs a miraculous run to make a playoff spot and although showed glimpses of his true ability last week he’s lost three of his last four matches. Anderson is a backable favourite at -120.

Peter Wright vs. Michael van Gerwen

The world’s best two darting behemoths go toe-to-toe in our next match and it is increasingly difficult to pick a winner. Van Gerwen lost three of his six matches last week – an occurrence that is rarer than Donald Trump praising CNN on Twitter. The Dutchman’s dominant days seem to be no more, and incredibly for the first time in four or five years, MVG looks vulnerable.

Peter Wright made history last week with his first televised nine-darter and incredibly comes into this match on a three-game losing streak, despite averaging over 101 in all three games.

It is hard to pick a winner, but there is a bet that stands out. Across 69 legs last week, Van Gerwen only hit three 100+ finishes. Wright played 72 legs and hit seven – taking out at least one in five of the six matches he played. Snakebite to hit the highest finish is worth backing at -115.

Gerwyn Price vs. Nathan Aspinall

Price vs Aspinall is another tricky clash to call. Both players are on 13 points with Price edging into the playoff places currently thanks only to leg difference.

Price beat Anderson, MVG and Wright last week as the Iceman found some prime form, but Aspinall had the better of Price in their encounter on the oche, winning 7-4 on Tuesday.

Interestingly Aspinall’s last five matches have all gone to a deciding leg (he’s won two and lost three) while Price has gone to a deciding leg in five of his 12 Premier League Darts matches this season.

It’s set to be close and while I’m sitting on the fence by not picking a winner, I’m confident backing over 13.5 legs at +120 with the expectation it will be close throughout.