Newcastle’s Utilita Arena hosts Week 4 of the Darts Premier League, as the world’s best go head to head.
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen leads the Premier League table heading into the fourth week, having already won two nights. Michael Smith is the only other to have landed maximum points this campaign, as the others play catch up.
As with all Premier League nights, the eight players will go head to head in a knockout format until the final two play off for the bonus points. We’ll preview the night’s fixtures in the hopes we can predict who will come out on top.
Want to see who we’re backing?
Smith to Bully Aspinall
Michael Smith reached the final of Night 2 and was only narrowly beaten by MVG. He looks to have taken a bit of a knock to his confidence since then, going on a run of three straight defeats. The return to Premier League action could be just what he needs to get back to his best. When he’s on his game, he’s a match for anyone and Aspinall will need to be fired up if he’s to stand a chance. We’re backing the 2023 World Champ to progress.
Cool Hand all that’s needed
Current world number one Luke Humphries got to the final in Glasgow last week and took a two leg lead before eventually losing 6-5 to Michael van Gerwen. Despite the loss, his average scoring has been exceptional and he should have too much for quality for Rob Cross to deal with as the two meet up in the opening exchanges.
Littler to move on
Teenage sensation Luke Littler has already proven that he’s exactly where he deserves to be in this company. The youngster has already notched three Premier League wins and he now faces Peter Wright for the very first time. Snakebite has been seriously struggling for form and he currently sits bottom of the table with zero points. The sky’s the limit for Littler, who should win this opener.
Tie of the round
MVG starts Week 4 with a mouthwatering clash against old foe Gerwyn Price. The Welshman has seen some return to form of late and will be fired up for this match up, knowing that a win would set him up nicely to go all the way. Might Mike is somehow finding ways to win without playing his best though, and that’s probably going to see him progress.
Rematch in final
We’re expecting Michael Smith and Luke Humphries to meet in the semis, with the current world champion edging a tight game. Meanwhile, if our predictions are correct, MVG will take on Luke Littler in the other semi. Given the form of the players, it’s difficult to see anything other than another final showdown between van Gerwen and Humphries.
Cool Hand had several opportunities to win it last week. If he’s more clinical this time around, he can grab the bonus points and win the night.
