Premier League Darts: Predictions & betting tips for Manchester, including Michael Smith v MVG, from John Part
John Part previews Thursday night's Premier League Darts action in Manchester, including Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen, plus his treble.
The race for the play-offs is drawing closer to its conclusion as the eight remaining players head to the Manchester Arena.
League leader Michael van Gerwen is also aiming to bounce back from his shock double defeat in Rotterdam last week, with two fixtures to look forward to against Daryl Gurney and Michael Smith.
Here's three-time world champion John Part's preview and tips of every match...
John Part's selections & treble
Scroll down for his full rundown of each match, helpful stats, bet explanation & latest table
John Part's treble: MVG (v Gurney), Anderson & Cross all to win (click here to back it at 2/1 with Sky Bet)
- Wright to win, score over 2.5 180s & have a checkout of over 81.5 - Click to back at 5/2 with Sky Bet
- MVG to beat Gurney, hit the highest checkout & score most 180s - Click to back at 11/4 with Sky Bet
- Anderson to win, score over 2.5 180s and have a checkout of over 87.5 - Click to back at 5/4 with Sky Bet
- Cross to beat Barney and hit the most 180s - Click to back at 7/4 with Sky Bet
- MVG to beat Smith, score over 3.5 180s and have a checkout of over 111.5 - Click to back at 4/1 with Sky Bet
- (Click here to bet on tonight's darts)
Peter Wright (11/10) v Michael Smith (7/4), draw (3/1)
- Head-to-head: 12-7
PL Darts 2018 stats
- 3-dart Average: 96.24 - 94.29
- 180s: 26 - 30
- 100+ checkouts: 7 - 6
- Highest checkout: 132 - 160
- Checkout %: 40.82% (60/147) - 41.67% (70/168)
Everyone has still kind of got a chance of reaching the play-offs - although it takes a stretch of the imagination for Simon Whitlock to get through - so they'll all be hoping Peter can beat Michael.
However if Michael can pick up two points from his two matches tonight then it could be curtains for those outside the top four.
It's more in Peter's hands than the others as he's the one who can put pressure on Michael and he'll be confident having taken three points off MVG and Rob Cross in Rotterdam. And he played well too.
Michael has the advantage of a high position in the table but with it comes pressure of staying there. He was first for so long and now there may be a few worries having slipped down to fourth, albeit three points clear with a game in hand.
Peter could well exploit the potential landmines going off in Michael's head and I therefore like Peter's low Player Performance bet.
That requires him to win the match, score over 2.5 180s and have a checkout of over 81.5 at 5/2. It's not a lot to ask and it doesn't matter if Smith hits more 180s.
Daryl Gurney (6/1) v Michael van Gerwen (2/7), draw (5/1)
- Head-to-head: 13-2
PL Darts 2018 stats
- 3-dart Average: 97.12 - 103.85
- 180s: 55 - 45
- 100+ checkouts: 8 - 15
- Highest checkout: 138 - 170
- Checkout %: 36.98% (71/192) - 45.88% (78/170)
I don't see much chance for Gurney in this one but he has surprised me this season.
This is more about MVG and his ambition to get two wins on the night and re-create a cushion at the top of the table following last week's disappointments in Rotterdam.
I'll keep this simple and go for the match treble bet of MVG winning, hitting the highest checkout and scoring most 180s at a Price Boosted 11/4.
The only worry is the 180s as Gurney is pretty good at those obviously but MVG loves answering them when thrown against him.
Simon Whitlock (6/1) v Gary Anderson (2/7), draw (5/1)
- Head-to-head: 16-22
PL Darts 2018 stats
- 3-dart Average: 93.01 - 99.77
- 180s: 34 - 50
- 100+ checkouts: 7 - 14
- Highest checkout: 164 - 170
- Checkout %: 38% (57/150) - 44.20% (80/181)
While Whitlock’s season is falling to pieces after those three heavy defeats in Rotterdam, Anderson is flying.
It's hard to find value in the betting for this one such is their contrasting form and quality right now and I'd be very surprised to see Whitlock even getting a point here.
I'm going to go for Anderson's low Player Performance market which needs him to win, score over 2.5 180s and have a checkout of over 87.5. That pays 5/4.
The way he's playing it would seem bizarre for him to win and not hit those targets. It's a solid little bet in my mind even though it's not particularly an exciting price.
Scroll down for more tips
Raymond van Barneveld (5/2) v Rob Cross (4/5), draw (3/1)
- Head-to-head: 0-4
PL Darts 2018 stats
- 3-dart Average: 94.54 - 98.05
- 180s: 32 - 44
- 100+ checkouts: 6 - 10
- Highest checkout: 167 - 144
- Checkout %: 36.97% (61/165) v 45.06% (73/162)
Raymond is still on a high after a fabulous two nights in Rotterdam, Rob also handled the experience well by taking three points from his three games.
However he didn't have a great weekend at the Austrian Darts Open and perhaps his hectic first season as a world champion is beginning to take it's toll a little.
That said he's had a few days to rest and he should bounce back in Manchester.
Like Gary Anderson, he's still in the hunt to get that number one spot and neither will simply surrender it to Michael. Especially now they're just a point behind.
There's also still pride in getting second so there's a lot of reason for him to stay focused on the victory.
Despite sometimes looking tired on the European Tour, in the last month or so he has been able to bring his A-game to the Premier League stage.
I'll keep it simple and have Cross winning and hitting the most 180s at 7/4.
Michael Smith (5/1) v Michael van Gerwen (1/3), draw (9/2)
- Head-to-head: 5-20
PL Darts 2018 stats
- 3-dart Average: 94.29 - 103.85
- 180s: 30 - 45
- 100+ checkouts: 6 - 15
- Highest checkout: 160 - 170
- Checkout %: 41.67% (70/168) - 45.88% (78/170)
I have to trust my original predictions and assume MVG comes into this on the back of a win while Michael Smith has lost to Peter.
Therefore MVG is potentially feeling more positive, which won't help Smith even if he's won earlier too, and I reckon he'll end the night with four points.
For this clash I'm going for MVG's medium Player Performance bet which requires him to win, score over 3.5 180s and have a checkout of over 111.5 at 4/1.
I do expect Michael Smith to put some beef into the match so that it goes long enough for MVG to achieve these targets.
He won't just roll over but may slip up at the key moments.
Click here for the 2018 Premier League darts fixtures, results & statistics
Premier League Darts Table
- MVG P 12 W 9 D 0 L 3 LegD +34 Pts 18
- Anderson P 13 W 7 D 3 L 3 LegD +19 Pts 17
- Cross P 13 W 8 D 1 L 4 LegD +10 Pts 17
- Smith P 12 W 8 D 0 L 4 LegD +24 Pts 16
- Gurney P 13 W 4 D 5 L 4 LegD +1 Pts 13
- Barney P 13 W 5 D 2 L 6 LegD -12 Pts 12
- Wright P 13 W 3 D 5 L 5 LegD -17 Pts 11
- Whitlock P 13 W 4 D 2 L 7 LegD -18 Pts 10
- Suljovic P 9 W 2 D 0 L 7 LegD -13 Pts 4
- Price P 9 W 0 D 2 L 7 LegD -29 Pts 2
* Players level on points split by leg difference, legs won against throw and then, if necessary tournament average
Suljovic and Price are now eliminated after Judgement Night
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