PL Darts tips: Van Gerwen to maintain his Cross dominance?
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The 2019 Premier League Darts season rages on to Dublin on Thursday night, for week three of the competition.
Michael van Gerwen has already announced his statement of intent with a pair of comfortable wins in Newcastle and Glasgow.
Can the Dutchman go three for three versus 2018 world champion Rob Cross? That’s the highlight of what will be a roaring night in the Irish capital. Steve Lennon is this week’s stand-in for Gary Anderson.
Gerwyn Price v James Wade – Draw
Wales’ Gerwyn Price has had an excellent start to the tournament. The Iceman beat Daryl Gurney 7-4 in week one with a 104-average, before drawing with Raymond van Barneveld last week.
But he faces a tough night versus James Wade. The Machine has won one and lost one so far, but has performed well throughout. Wade currently boasts the fourth-highest average and the joint-highest checkout average.
This should be a brilliantly close encounter, with a draw catching our eye at 3/1. Price gets favouritism from our traders at 4/7, with Wade at 5/4.
And with 14 180s between them already, there’s Evens about over 5.5 180s in this one.
Peter Wright to beat Steve Lennon
It’s two draws from two for Peter Wright so far, but he’ll fancy his chances of gathering his first win of the season here against local hero Steve Lennon.
The duo have met three times before, with Snakebite prevailing on each occasion. The Scottish arrowsmith is 1/2 to make it four wins from four meetings.
Lennon is the 7/2 outsider, and he should get a boost from the bouncing Dublin crowd. But even so, this should be Snakebite’s for the taking.
The 2017 Premier League runner-up is 9/4 to be king of the oche, while he’s 4/5 to land the most 180s.
Michael van Gerwen to beat Rob Cross
Mighty Mike isn’t leaving much on the table this season. The reigning Premier League champion is seeking his third win from three in the tournament.
And with 11 wins from 14 meetings with Rob Cross, the Dutchman looks good to maintain his perfect start to the campaign at 4/9.
Cross has had a solid start though, and has the ability to make Van Gerwen sweat. There’s 15/2 about Van Gerwen to win 7/5, while Cross is 12/5 to land the first leg.
This one should see the treble-20 bed thoroughly pummelled. Evens says we see over 6.5 maximums.
Michael Smith to beat Daryl Gurney
Bully Boy Michael Smith is winless so far, but after a solid effort in defeat to Van Gerwen in week one, collected his first points with a draw against Wright in Glasgow.
He’ll fancy his chances of grabbing that first win versus Daryl Gurney. Superchin has one win and one defeat so far, but is 3-6 down in the head-to-head with Smith.
Our traders make Smith the Evens favourite, but he’ll have to work on his 34% checkout average if he’s to bring this one home.
If doubles still trouble Bully Boy, then Gurney is well placed to pounce at 2/1. This should be close, with 7/1 available on Smith to win 7-5, and 6/1 about Gurney prevailing by the same scoreline. Smith should dominate the 180 battle, however, and he’s 4/5 to collect the most maximums.
Mensur Suljovic to beat Raymond van Barneveld
The final match of the night should be a considerate affair with two of the more graceful oche presences taking part.
Mensur Suljovic is 4/5 to beat Van Barneveld, and the Gentle has shown plenty of form so far, without quite getting a win.
The Austrian has thrown 100+ averages in both of his matches so far, and has thrown more 100+, 140+ and 180+ than his Dutch opponent.
Barney is 12/5 to win this, but currently owns the lowest checkout average and his 91-average is far behind the rest of the pack. There’s 9/2 about Suljovic to win this 7-4, while he’s 4/1 to be king of the oche.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
