Premier League Darts Night 7 preview

When the players take to the oche in Milton Keynes for Night 7 of the Premier League of Darts, it will have been exactly 166 days since we last saw the drama, the passion, the pure arrowing excellence of the world’s elite on the Premier League stage. And yes, I have been counting down the days.

Luckily, the league is finally back and here are the five Night 7 matches that get our tungsten-tossing Tuesday off to a flyer.

Glen Durrant vs. Peter Wright

Table-topper Glen Durrant will be on stage first as he takes on Snakebite Peter Wright.

These pair have faced off seven times in the last 18 months, with Wright coming out on top in five of those darting duels. But last month it was Durrant who got the better of the Scot with an 11-8 victory in the World Matchplay Last 16.

Wright had 30 attempts at a double in that match but hit just eight of them – a woeful return of just 27%. Snakebite has the scoring, Durrant has the doubling. I’m tempted by Durrant draw no bet at +130.

Michael van Gerwen vs. Rob Cross

It feels a long time ago since Rob Cross shocked Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final of the World Championships before going on to win back in 2018. It probably feels even longer for Cross who has won just one of the 11 meetings these two have had since then.

MVG is the top darting dog and that shouldn’t change here, despite the Dutchman’s surprise defeat to Simon Whitlock in the World Matchplay. Van Gerwen won two Pro-Tour events last month and has an average of over 101.6 and a check-out rate of over 51% in the Premier League this season.

Michael Smith vs. Gary Anderson

Bully Boy vs. the Flying Scotsman could well be match of the night.

Smith and Anderson faced off recently in the World Matchplay semi-finals, played last month in this venue behind closed doors. Anderson came out on top 18-16, ending a bit of a hoodoo Smith had over him after Bully Boy had won the last four head-to-heads.

There is no doubt Smith will score heavier here – he pinged in 14 180s in that semi-final compared to Anderson’s seven – it’s just a case of whether he can find his finish. His check-outs left him wanting in that match versus Anderson but in the tournament, Smith had a 42% check-out average.

A similar number here and Bully Boy could sneak the win.

Nathan Aspinall vs. Gerwyn Price

It’s hard to split Aspinall and Price on the oche most of the time, and it’s no different on Tuesday as Premier League Darts Night 7 gets underway.

It’s been a mixed bag for both players since lockdown. The Iceman crashed out in the first round of the World Matchplay, two weeks after reaching the final of a Pro-Tour event. Aspinall also lost in the first round to eventual winner Dimitri van den Bergh and failed to make in impact in the five Pro Tour events in July, having won the PDC Home Tour event in June.

Price edges the head-to-head, winning six of their last 10 meetings but it would be no surprise to see Aspinall pinch a point in a tight game. Back the draw.

Daryl Gurney vs. Chris Dobey

Chris Dobey is the challenger on Night 7 and he comes up against Daryl Gurney who is desperate for points. Superchin needs at least two wins from his next three games to avoid relegation and that starts with Dobey.

Dobey will no doubt be disappointed not to be taking to the stage in front of a passionate sell-out crowd, but he mustn’t let that distract him from the job in hand.

All the pressure is on Gurney, and while I do think he’ll win, the safer bet may be on Dobey to keep him honest at -287 on the handicap at +2.5 legs.