The BetMGM Premier League Darts heads to Aberdeen this Thursday with Michael van Gerwen‘s play-off spot under serious threat from the bottom four.
Last week, Rob Cross sprung the biggest surprise in Liverpool, defeating MvG and Michael Smith to reach the final. While a Luke Littler win in hostile territory helped extend the teenager’s lead at the top of the table, the fourth and final playoff spot remains under hot contention.
Follow along with all the darting action on Night 14 at Scotland’s P&J Live Arena as Ryan Brayne delivers match-by-match previews, offering expert analysis and predictions.
Peter Wright vs Michael Smith
Peter Wright needs only to endure a few more torturous weeks before he can finally put to bed his torrid Premier League campaign.
After throwing away his slender lead to MVG last Thursday, the loss all but condemned Snakebite to the bottom of the table. His domestic showings were further compounded by an unconvincing performance in Austria, once again falling to Mighty Mike.
Although Michael Smith has shared a similar downturn in form to the Scotsman, Bully Boy has declined to nowhere near the extent of Wright. The St Helens man fell short at an inopportune time against a resurgent Rob Cross, but a weekends break should revitalise the former world champion.
Expect a couple of valuable points to head Michael Smith’s way in a match-up that leaves only pride on the line for Wright.
Prediction: Wright 2-6 Smith
Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
This duo simply love to push each other to the limit.
Red-hot Luke Littler secured his third night of the campaign with a dominant win in Liverpool last week. Who would have guessed the 17-year-old would not only be topping the league, but also blitzing the competition in Austria to win another major title.
He will have to anticipate a war of attrition against Nathan Aspinall, however, who will be eager to make up for bottling a semi-final three-leg lead.
A win for the Asp would keep the Stockport man cosy in the top-four, but it would be foolish to pick against a serial winner.
Prediction: Littler 6-4 Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen vs Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen looked to have stamped his playoff spot early in the season after winning three consecutive nights. Yet, a combination of injuries and rotten luck has seen the Dutchman slide to fourth in the table, just four points above nearest challenger Michael Smith.
As has become custom for MvG this season, he appeared to have found his form in Austria before throwing the game away against Ross Smith.
Now, in a repeat of Liverpool’s semi-final, Mighty Mike will have to forget about the humbling he received against Rob Cross. A defiant Voltage remains ten points off playoff spots, but there remains some impetus to spark an unlikely ascent into contention.
Albeit, losing at the first time of asking in Austria likely hasn’t bolstered Cross’ confidence.
At a time where points are at a premium, both players really need to step their game up. On this occasion, Rob Cross edges this.
Prediction: MvG 4-6 Cross
Gerwyn Price vs Luke Humphries
It has been a lean few weeks for this pair.
Gerwyn Price, in particular, has struggled to find the doubles required to reach his peak 2021 form. Not that tighter finishing would have helped him last week in a contest where he was comfortably second best.
Parallels can be drawn with Luke Humphries who was more than soundly beaten by Nathan Aspinall, perhaps starting to show signs of fatigue.
Both of these players enjoyed a weekend refresher, but with points at a premium, I’m backing Cool Hand’s more consistent finishing to get back on track.
Prediction: Price 5-6 Humphries
Night 14 Predicted Semi-Final & Final Winner
Semi-Finals
Smith 5-6 Littler
Cross 4-6 Humphries
Final
Littler 6-5 Humphries
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