Premier League Darts Week One darts betting tips and predictions – Copybet
The Premier League gets underway in Newcastle on Thursday evening as 17 nights of darting drama begins.
Luke Littler was beaten by Luke Humphries in last year’s final at the O2 and those two are joined in the field by Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton and Stephen Bunting.
Josh Rock vs Jonny Clayton
Josh Rock makes his Premier League debut against Jonny Clayton in the Newcastle quarter-finals and Rocky may be dealt a knockout blow.
The Northern Irishman is a seriously impressive and progressive performer, but the 24-year-old folded pretty tamely when losing to Justin Hood at the World Championship and Rock has no experience of the Premier League’s intimidating atmosphere.
Clayton is a former Premier League winner, the Welshman has made Finals Night on all of his last three appearances in the competition and last season marked a return to peak form for the Ferret.
Luke Littler vs
Gian van Veen
Luke Littler crushed Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final of the World Championship, but the Dutchman can close the gap in the Newcastle quarter-finals.
The Giant was crowned European champion last season and he looks capable of continuing his progress this term.
Of course, Littler is darts’ dominant force, but Van Veen only went down 6-4 to the Nuke in the Saudi Arabia Masters last month and the Dutchman rates a handicap play here.
Luke Humphries vs Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price edged Luke Humphries 6-5 in last month’s Saudi Arabia Masters in a contest which featured six 180s.
The previous meeting between the two top-level performers finished 16-13 to Cool Hand and the head-to-head record includes a string of closely-fought contests.
Humphries was excellent in last month’s World Masters and Price also crashed in some elite-level averages.
With another close battle, between two in-from performers anticipated, getting long on maximums rates a solid play.
Stephen Bunting vs Michael van Gerwen
Stephen Bunting rates the best bet on the opening night of Premier League action.
Michael van Gerwen was beaten in the first round of last month’s World Masters and last season saw Mighty Mike suffer a number of early exits from major competitions.
It’s now pretty clear that the Green Machine can not produce his peak level on a consistent basis and Bunting is good enough to take advantage of a below-par MVG.