Premier League darts night 12: tips, betting previews and TV details

TV: Sky Sports Action, 7pm Thursday

Mensur Suljovic v Daryl Gurney

Head-to-head: Gurney leads 8-5

The battle for top-four glory in football’s Premier League is being mirrored in the darting version with Mensur Suljovic and Daryl Gurney knowing any slip-up could prove costly in Cardiff.

Suljovic and Gurney are the tungsten equivalent of Chelsea and Manchester United, tucked away in fifth and sixth places but knowing that a place in the top four is still in their own hands.

Their two previous Premier League showdowns have ended in 7-3 wins for Gurney though both men are playing too fitfully to be trusted.

The two arrowsmiths are pretty much inseparable in every department and that includes 180s – they’ve each pinged 29. It’s hard to make a cast-iron case for anything so a small-stakes punt on the maximums at least gives us an interest.

Recommendation
Most 180s tie
1pt 5-1 Betfred, BoyleSports

Rob Cross v Michael van Gerwen

H2H: Van Gerwen leads 13-3

It’s a top-of-the-table showdown at the Motorpoint Arena where Michael van Gerwen should be confident of motoring off with two points having won all four of his Premier League dust-ups with Rob Cross.

Van Gerwen has topped the league standings in each of his six campaigns but that record is under threat from Voltage and that adds even more spice to the match.

Cross has won eight out of ten since drawing his opener and is playing a whole lot better than when he was crushed by Mighty Mike in Week Three.

This could be close – though before lumping on Cross it’s hard to overlook that head-to-head record.

It may be worth taking the 13-10 that Cross hits more 180s. He has in the league – that battle stands at 36-32 in the Sussex man’s favour – and Van Gerwen is the more frequent switcher.

Recommendation
R Cross most 180s
1pt 13-10 general

Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price

H2H: Smith leads 12-5

Gerwyn Price, the man darts fans love to hate, finally gets a break from the vitriol when Cardiff rises to salute one of their own.

The booing that has followed Price throughout the competition will cease for one night – though he may not be able to reward his fans with two points.

Michael Smith crosses the Severn Bridge in fine nick after reaching a semi-final and a final on the Pro Tour at the weekend and any health issues seem to be well and truly behind him.

He hasn’t played well so far but having effectively declared he can’t make the semis, a more relaxed Bully Boy can do what his nickname suggests and bully Price into submission.

He might get some jeering but Smith throws so quickly that it’s unlikely to perturb him.

Recommendation
M Smith
1pt 13-10 Betfred

Peter Wright v James Wade

H2H: Wade leads 18-17

Peter Wright has played three and won three at the Motorpoint Arena but that victory run may well be ended this evening.

Without a win in six in this competition and still fiddling around with his equipment, Snakebite had another poor weekend on the floor.

Wade, in contrast, had a weekend to remember, winning both Pro Tour events. That’s three titles pocketed in the last three weeks, plus a nine-darter – Wade is just doing everything right at the moment.

Recommendation
J Wade
2pts 11-8 Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes

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