Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith

 

Michael Smith leads the head-to-heads with Nathan Aspinall 4-1 and although the former won the UK Open, it was hardly a standout performance. Indeed, Aspinall threw a tournament average of just 95 there, while in the final against Rob Cross it was a mere 89.

Therefore, he can count himself lucky to be making his Premier League debut here and we don’t give him much hope. Bully Boy may have won only one of his five matches so far, but he’s throwing an average of three points higher since 2018 and we’d be surprised to not see him grind out a result.

However, even better still is backing him in the 180’s market, as he’s hit the most in the league and a huge 338 at major events since the start of last year, compared to Aspinall’s 63 in this time.

Smith most 180’s at 3.15*

 

James Wade v Mensur Suljovic

 

Mensur Suljovic suffered defeat at the hands of Gerwyn Price last time out as he averaged just 95.55 and lost 7-4. That means he has just one win from his five matches so far while his opponent tops the league on seven points as he put on a superb display in his most recent match to beat Daryl Gurney 7-0, hitting an average of 109.69.

Their last match is enough to show the disparity between the two players and with James Wade winning 74% of his matches over the last 14 months, compared to Suljovic’s 63%, we’re surprised to not see him at a bigger price. Not to mention, the Machine won two of their three meetings last year, so we’ll get stuck into him at around evens.

James Wade Win at 2.00*

 

Rob Cross v Raymond van Barneveld

 

Raymond van Barneveld seems to be letting his private life get in the way of his darts as he is yet to win a single game in the league this year. He averaged just 95 in defeat to Peter Wright and his league average currently sits at a mere 93.

Meanwhile, Rob Cross was a whisker off a 104 average when beating Michael Smith and he tops the league on averages alone. Moreover, Voltage has won four of their five unbeaten career meetings and given the current disparity in both players’ averages, we’ll side with Cross on the handicap.

Rob Cross -2.5 Handicap at 1.86*

 

Gerwyn Price v Michael van Gerwen

 

Michael van Gerwen is as short as 10/19 for this clash and we’re slightly surprised seeing as when comparing the two players’ year-to-date averages, the Iceman leads the averages 100.46 v 99.97 and win percentage of 88% v 83%. Not to mention, Price continued his fantastic form to beat Mensur Suljovic 7-3 last time out as he remains the only undefeated player in 2019.

In fact, given the Dutchman is now three matches across all majors without a win, while John Henderson held him to a draw last week, the +2.5 leg handicap for Price looks the value bet.

Gerwyn Price +2.5 at 1.81

 

Peter Wright v Daryl Gurney

 

Daryl Gurney was woeful when James Wade whitewashed him last time out, hitting an average of just 94 and so his confidence will be low. Moreover, he will have to face an opponent who has got the better of him time and time again over their careers in Peter Wright.

Indeed, he has won just seven of their 22 meetings to date, losing 13 of them and we’d certainly be avoiding SuperChin given his current form and that statistic. What’s more, Wright has won 67% of his matches to Gurney’s 61% in 2018, while Snakebite hit a whopping average of 106.64, so our money is with him.

Peter Wright Win at 2.00*