Shane McArdle looks forward to weeks eight and nine as Judgement Night approaches in the Premier League Darts
The 2019 Premier League Darts
Week 8 – Wednesday Mar 27, Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam –
The 2019 Premier League season began on Thursday Feb 07th, with 17 nights of top-class action running from February to May. The season includes Judgement night after nine weeks of action, where the bottom two players in the league table will be eliminated and it all comes to a fascinating climax from The O2 in London on Thursday May 23rd.
The players taking part in this year’s Premier League are Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Gerwyn Price, Daryl Gurney and Mensur Suljovic. Gary Anderson has unfortunately withdrawn from the Premier League as he continues to struggle with a back injury.
The PDC have decided that nine different players will replace Gary Anderson at each of the nine different venues on each of the nine weeks of action.
The replacements are as follows – Chris Dobey (Newcastle, Week 1) – Glen Durrant (Glasgow, Week 2) – Steve Lennon (Dublin, Week 3) – Luke Humphries (Exeter, Week 4) – John Henderson (Aberdeen, Week 5) – Nathan Aspinall (Nottingham, Week 6) – Max Hopp (Berlin, Week 7) – Dimitri van den Bergh (Rotterdam Ahoy, Week 8, Night 1) – Jeffrey de Zwaan (Rotterdam Ahoy, Week 8, Night 2)
Week Seven results (Berlin):
Rob Cross 7-4 Gerwyn Price
James Wade 6-6 Peter Wright
Daryl Gurney 7-5 Michael van Gerwen
Menur Suljovic 7-2 Michael Smith
Raymond van Barneveld 7-3 Max Hopp
Wednesday Mar 27th
(7:15pm) Gerwy Price v Michael Smith
Prediction – Michael Smith at 11/8
Gerwyn Price comes into this match two points ahead of his opponent Michael Smith as we approach Judgement Night, where the bottom two players will be eliminated from this year’s tournament. Both players lost their games last week in Berlin and will be looking to bounce back in this opening game in Rotterdam. Michael Smith needs the win more and is expected to get the victory and enhance his chance of survival.
(8pm) James Wade v Dimitri van den Bergh
Prediction – James Wade at 11/10
James Wade played out an exciting 6-6 draw with Peter Wright in Berlin last week and faces wild-card Dimitri van den Bergh who played well in last weekend’s European Darts Open in Leverkusen. Wade has been playing well in this tournament and is fancied to continue his good form with a win in this contest.
(8:40pm) Rob Cross v Mensur Suljovic
Prediction – Rob Cross at 19/20
Both players coming into this in good form and with no worries about the drop. They should provide a very exciting game. Rob Cross defeated an in-form Gerwyn Price last week in Berlin, whilst Mensur had a very impressive 7-2 win over Michael Smith. This should be a close encounter but a win for top of the table Rob Cross is my fancy as he looks to keep his place at the top of the league.
(9:20pm) Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen
Prediction – Michael van Gerwen at 11/20
Peter Wright threw away a lead and then had to battle to snatch a draw against James Wade in Berlin, whilst MVG suffered another defeat as he lost to an in-form Daryl Gurney. Just one point separates these two in the league table and both could do with the points. Peter Wright will have to be on top-form to beat the World No.1 and a return to winning ways for Michael van Gerwen looks the call in this game.
(10pm) Raymond van Barneveld v Daryl Gurney
Prediction – Daryl Gurney at 20/21
Two big wins for both players last week as Daryl Gurney produced a fantastic performance to beat Michael van Gerwen, whilst Raymond van Barneveld gained his first win of the league with a win against local hero Max Hopp in Berlin. Nothing less than a win will be needed if Barney is going to remain in this his last Premier League campaign before retirement, but a win for Daryl Gurney to avoid a relegation battle looks to be the way to go.
Thursday March 28th Predictions for Judgement Night:
Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic – Daryl Gurney
Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price – Peter Wright
Rob Cross v Jeffrey de Zwaan – Rob Cross
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen – Michael van Gerwen
James Wade v Michael Smith – Michael Smith