Premier League Darts - Night Five Tips
The Premier League heads to the south coast for Week Five in Brighton and Luke Littler is back in action after taking down the UK Open crown last weekend.
The Nuke was in almost unstoppable form when downing James Wade 11-2 in the Butlin’s final and the 18-year-old will take on Chris Dobey in the last eight in Brighton.
We have a selection for each of Thursday night’s quarter-final ties.
Gerwyn Price to beat Michael van Gerwen @ 27/25
Michael van Gerwen had made three semi-finals in this season’s Premier League prior to his visit to Exeter last week, but just as it appeared that MVG was moving back towards his best, the Dutchman endured a dip.
Mighty Mike averaged only 92.88 when losing 6-5 to Rob Cross in Exeter last week and his performance in the UK Open was even more worrying.
MVG was beaten 10-8 by world number 57 Robert Owen in the Butlin’s event and that will be causing him some concern.
Gerwyn Price was beaten early at the UK Open himself, but the Iceman has a Premier League nightly victory on his card this season and is fancied to win this quarter-final.
Luke Littler -2.5 legs v Chris Dobey @ 5/6
Chris Dobey’s last-eight defeat to Nathan Aspinall made it three weeks without a Premier League win, and now Hollywood has to take on Luke Littler.
The Nuke was imperious when taking down the UK Open crown last weekend, and it’s hard to see how Dobey can keep tabs on the red-hot Warrington arrowsmith.
Littler has averaged 96.82, 109.67, 112.34, 99.78, 101.03, 104.02, 104.59 and 113.91 in his eight matches in this season’s Premier League and those numbers should see the Nuke cover the handicap.
Luke Humphries -2.5 legs v Rob Cross @ 27/25
Luke Humphries had the look of a UK Open winner for much of last week’s event, but Cool Hand Luke was beaten by James Wade at the semi-final stage.
However, the Newbury arrowsmith averaged 102.08 in that last-four defeat and there wasn’t much wrong with the performance level of the former world champion.
Rob Cross has won only one of his last four Premier League matches, and another quarter-final struggle looks likely.
Stephen Bunting to beat Nathan Aspinall @ 13/20
Stephen Bunting is searching for his first Premier League victory of the season, and the Bullet can get a win on the board when he takes on Nathan Aspinall in Brighton.
The Asp’s game continues to fluctuate wildly and it’s hard to side with the Stockport man at this moment in time.
Bunting should be solid enough to see off the challenge of the Asp.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation