As the BetMGM Premier League Darts Night Eleven looms large ahead of Birmingham’s Utilita Arena this Thursday, all eyes are centred on Luke Littler‘s bid for three consecutive nights. Follow along as Ryan Brayne delivers match-by-match previews, predictions and tips to keep you in the know.
Last week in Manchester saw the teenage sensation earn back-to-back Premier League nights, wiping away Gerwyn Price 6-3 in a comfortable final. The Runcorn native’s victory at the AO Arena has left him with the opportunity of immediately matching Luke Humphries‘ three consecutive nights, underlining the staggering level of talent possessed by the UK prospects.
Peter Wright vs Luke Humphries
Move over Rob Cross, Peter Wright has officially earned the unwelcome crown of unluckiest player in darts. Last week was the Scotsman’s best performance of the Premier League season, averaging nearly 110 alongside excellent finishing. Somehow, someway, however, the 54-year-old met a red-hot Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.
There were a lot of positives to take away from that performance unlike his opponent, Luke Humphries, who was a shadow of himself in defeat to Michael Smith. Cool Hand bounced back with style at the weekend, reaching the final of the Player Championships before falling to Danny Noppert in an 8-6 shoot-out.
The past meetings between the pair has seen dominant victories for Cool Hand, and whilst the pattern is likely to continue tomorrow night, expect a tighter affair than their league positions suggest.
Prediction: Wright 4-6 Humphries
Rob Cross vs Luke Littler
Voltage has declined sharply in the past fortnight, assuming the role of the league’s most out of form player. Perhaps Cross’ loss to hometown hero Nathan Aspinall last week was influenced by a vocal Mancunian crowd, but he didn’t show anywhere near the quality required to threaten a victory.
Things don’t get easier as he plays the in-form Nuke. Although the kebab-enthusiast didn’t reach the dizzying highs he has shown so far in his fledgling career, the teen still showed proved his heavyweight calibre by blunting a ferociously high-scoring Price to pick up the night.
There are no signs of a shock here, despite the overall quality of the Premier League. Littler will rule over the top of the league with an iron fist.
Prediction: Cross 3-6 Littler
Gerwyn Price vs Michael Smith
In a repeat of last week’s semi-final, many fans will be keen for a repeat of Gerwyn Price’s stunning 9 darter – the first the competition has seen for 2 years. Last week was the Iceman’s best showing since the first night, exuding his trademark brash confidence up until the final where the Welshman appeared to run out of steam.
His opponent, Michael Smith, finds himself in an interesting position. Bully Boy has not been playing particularly well this year, but the former world champ continues to hoover up valuable points to remain in top-four contention.
A meeting of two power scorers should make this the quarter-final to watch, but ultimately, finishing will decide Thursday’s winner. I’ll back Price to pick up more points in his unlikely quest for a top-four spot.
Prediction: Price 6-4 Smith
Michael van Gerwen vs Nathan Aspinall
How the turn tables turn… Michael van Gerwen has gone from the man to beat to the beaten. In one of the strangest performances of recent memory, the Dutchman came up short against Littler in a vastly underwhelming performance. Mighty Mike may still find himself in the top-four for now but the warning signs have been apparent for some weeks now.
Someone who is enjoying an opposite turn in form is the self-professed ‘Stockport chav’, Nathan Aspinall. The Asp started this year’s campaign poorly but has clawed back tooth and nail to pick up a night win and lots of cumulative points along the way to rank third in the table.
The question will always remain over when the real MvG will return, but a tough gritty affair awaits in Aspinall.
Prediction: MvG 5-6 Aspinall
Night Eleven Predicted Semi-Final & Final Winner
Semi-Finals
Humphries 4-6 Littler
Gerwyn Price 5-6 Nathan Aspinall
Final
Littler 6-4 Aspinall
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