The BetMGM Premier League Darts playoff spots are on the line this Thursday in the Netherlands. The Rotterdam Ahoy hosts Night Twelve for this week’s Dutch dart action. Follow along as Ryan Brayne delivers match-by-match previews, offering expert analysis and predictions.
Michael van Gerwen returned to vintage form last week in Birmingham. The Dutchman defeated Luke Littler 6-3 in the final, denying the teenager a hat-trick of wins. With Mighty Mike returning to his homeland, an hour’s drive from his childhood town of Boxtel, he will sense a fourth-night victory.
Michael Smith vs Luke Littler
Here’s hoping that Michael Smith and Luke Littler set an early high-scoring precedent. Despite last week’s snooze-fest in Birmingham, Bully Boy hammered Gerwyn Price. The St Helens native picked up vital points to remain in an ultra-competitive top four.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Luke Littler sits at the head of the table. The darting prodigy reached a hat-trick of finals before his demise to MvG last Thursday. Despite a flat performance, Littler’s haul of three points has all but booked his play-off spot.
The bookies edge Nuke as the favourite, but Smith has dictated the last meetings between the pair. Expect a continued bogey matchup and result for the league leader.
Prediction: Smith 6-4 Littler
Rob Cross vs Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross is losing time to snap out of his poor form. Despite Voltage pushing Littler to his limits in last week’s quarter-final, the outcome never appeared to be in doubt. The former world champion compounded his misery with an uneventful showing in Germany.
Conversely, the Iceman appears to have struck gold while digging deep over the past month. Price has threatened with big scores over the season, but only in recent weeks has the Welshman tidied up his finishing. A loss to hometown hero Martin Schindler in the German final will sting. Yet, Price will be brimming with confidence, facing Thursday’s easiest match-up on form.
Prediction: Cross 3-6 Price
Peter Wright vs Nathan Aspinall
It was a night and weekend to forget for both Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall. Snakebite showed early promise against Luke Humphries, racing to a 4-1 lead. Cool Hand underlined his young GOAT potential, however, bouncing back to clinch five straight legs. The Scotsman will take confidence knowing that Aspinall is under pressure from the bottom half of the table.
This has all the makings of a forgettable grind, but two points may prove vital at this stage in the season. Who is better suited to grit out a win than plucky Nathan Aspinall?
Prediction: Wright 4-6 Aspinall
Michael Van Gerwen vs Luke Humphries
Van Gerwen will enjoy a rare home advantage this Thursday as the Premier League travels to Rotterdam. Was the Dutchman worthy of his nightly win last week? No, but who was – and does it matter as long as you climb up the table? At this stage, get the points you need to qualify and worry about the rest later. It certainly worked last year.
Facing an opponent in record-breaking form makes the equation harder. Luke Humphries pulled off a phenomenal comeback to break Wright’s heart last Thursday, but fell short again against Littler. Fatigue was also on show in Germany this weekend, as Cool Hand fell to fan favourite Stephen Bunting.
In the most unpredictable match-up of the night, Van Gerwen’s weekend of rest should tip the scales.
Prediction: MvG 6-5 Humphries
Night Twelve Predicted Semi-Final & Final Winner
Semi-Finals
Smith 6-4 Price
Aspinall 4-6 Van Gerwen
Final
Smith 4-6 Van Gerwen
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