Premier League darts: Week Nine betting preview, tips, odds & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Arena & Main Event, 7pm Thursday

The strains of Sweet Caroline will echo around the SSE Arena in Belfast as local hero Daryl Gurney marks his Premier League homecoming with a place in the semi-finals in his sights.

The Northern Ireland slinger was a 50-1 shot a month ago following a 7-0 whitewash at the hands of James Wade.

Now, after three straight wins, 20-1 shot Superchin is in the top four heading into the second half of the campaign and confident he can beat Rob Cross, just as he did in Belfast 12 months ago.

Mensur Suljovic v James Wade

Head-to-head record: Suljovic leads 10-5

James Wade is surely the unsung hero of this year’s Premier League, although if there is one player who can still get under his skin it’s Mensur Suljovic.

Former champion Wade boasts the highest average (101.16) and checkout percentage (46.9) and is second only to Gerwyn Price in the 180s list. He has also beaten Michael van Gerwen and sits just two points off the pace in third place.

But one of his two setbacks this campaign was against Suljovic in Nottingham and the Austrian also beat him in the European Open less than a fortnight ago.

Wade had a mixed weekend in Germany, hitting a nine-darter and then being clobbered for £5,000 by darts chiefs over his Ally Pally antics against Seigo Asada before Christmas.

This match, between two rock-solid scorers and master double hitters, ought to be incredibly close.

Michael Smith v Peter Wright

Wright leads 15-8

With Raymond van Barneveld eliminated last week, Michael Smith is propping up the eight-man Premier League table although Peter Wright is only one place and one point better off.

Snakebite is without a win in four weeks and couldn’t even muster an 88 average in two outings in Rotterdam.

Of the two it’s the Scot who seems to be struggling for form more – at least Bully Boy has registered a couple of wins in the last month.

The pair drew 6-6 in Glasgow in Week Two and Smith is worth backing to send his opponent to the bottom of the table.

Recommendation
M Smith
1pt 11-8 BoyleSports

Rob Cross v Daryl Gurney

Tied at 4-4

Gurney, the darling of Belfast, is the Premier League’s man in form after three straight victories.

He beat opponent Rob Cross on this stage 12 months ago and saw off Voltage again in the last 16 of the German Championship on Sunday, going on to win the tournament.

Punters who recall Gurney getting battered 7-1 by Cross in Exeter in Week Four will be understandably reluctant to get too bullish about Superchin, but the sparkle has returned in the last few weeks and he will have a partisan crowd firmly on his side.

This will be a tough contest for the pair of them but Gurney, with the draw no bet as a safety net, must be worthy of consideration.

Recommendation
D Gurney draw no bet
1pt 6-4 Sky Bet

Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price

Van Gerwen leads 15-0

Anyone contemplating a sneaky punt on Gerwyn Price needs only to look at his head-to-head record against Michael van Gerwen before deciding to think again.

The 14th of those 15 straight losses came in Nottingham last month when the Welshman suggested he had Mighty Mike’s number only to go completely flat when he got to the oche. He averaged just 92 in a 7-2 drubbing.

A 15th consecutive reverse followed at the European Open a week later – although at least that contest went to a deciding leg – and the Dutchman clearly has the measure of Price.

Van Gerwen was well beaten by Keegan Brown in Germany on Saturday but it is worth noting that he still finished with a 108 average.

All the prices lean to a Van Gerwen romp but one line that looks wrong is total 180s at 7.5. There were six maximums when they last met and their combined average this season makes up 6.5 per match.

Recommendation
Under 7.5 180s
2pts 8-11 Hills

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