The PDC’s finest have just four weeks left in which to make it through to the final stages of the 2019 Premier League. We thought that week 12 in Birmingham would start to cement a top four but no fewer than three 7-7 finishes on the night have left us with all to play for. Here are our Premier League Darts 2019 Week 13 betting tips.
Only Daryl Gurney seized the initiative and the Northern Irishman’s 8-4 win over Peter Wright leaves him just a point outside of the playoff slots. Otherwise, it’s as you were with Michael Van Gerwen at the top with 19 points – one ahead of Rob Cross in second place while three throwers -James Wade, Gerwyn Price and Mensur Suljovic – are locked on 15 points behind the top two.
Gurney is a point behind on 14 while Michael Smith and Peter Wright look to be stranded on nine points. With Van Gerwen and Cross looking set for the final stages, it’s likely to be a battle between four players for the remaining two slots. Thursday night in Manchester could go a long way towards settling those issues so let’s crack on and see what’s in store.
Feisty Opening
The first game of the night sees James Wade take on Gerwyn Price in what should be a bristly affair. Both men have a history of ‘controversial tactics’ on the oche and it’s fair to say that they will be relishing the battle on Thursday night.
In terms of match odds, the market is a tight one with Wade going in as favourite at best industry odds of 13/10 with BetFred and 888sport. Gerwyn Price is at 6/4 with Ladbrokes while there should certainly be some interest in the draw at 4/1 with Bet365.
As we’ve seen, the two men are locked on 15 points so this is starting to look like a must win for both throwers. They previously played in week three in Dublin where nothing could split them in a 6-6 draw. It’s likely to be equally tight in Manchester and there is a trend for tied games to prevail. However, Gerwyn Price is our pick as a man who can lift games when the result matters most and we’re backing the Welshman to unsettle Wade and take the points.
Mighty Mike Vulnerable?
Michael Van Gerwen may be at the top of the table but he’s proved throughout this tournament that he’s not unbeatable. Last week, James Wade promised to test the Dutchman on his birthday and that was the case as The Machine held MVG to a 7-7 draw.
In week 13, Van Gerwen is drawn against Daryl Gurney who is at risk of missing out on the next stage if he slides to defeat here. As for the betting, it’s never a shock to see Mighty Mike start as red hot favourite and you can pick up the Dutchman at 7/19 with Bethard and Betsson. Victory for Daryl Gurney can be found at 11/2 with Unibet while Bet365 have the best numbers on the draw once again at 6/1.
Van Gerwen has drawn three and lost two of his 13 games this season so there is hope for Gurney. The Northern Irishman inflicted one of those defeats, beating MVG 7-5 in Berlin in week seven but the Dutch darter is building momentum in the late stages and we think the bookies have got this one right.
Snakebite to Cling On?
Anything less than a win for Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright will effectively end his challenge this season as he tackles Austria’s Mensur Suljovic. Wright is in the basement on nine points while his opponent is one of those three players with 15 points at this stage of the competition.
Looking at the odds for this one suggests some potential value with Suljovic leading the way at a best of Even Money with Ladbrokes. A win for Peter Wright can be backed at 21/10 with Unibet and Betsafe while Bet365 are there again with a top price of 4/1 on the draw.
These two previously met in Exeter in week four and the game saw Mensur come away with a 7-4 victory. Form and that head to head result therefore suggest another win for the awkward Austrian and at Even Money, he looks relatively generous. However, Wright is the man fighting for survival and that can often inspire a return to form.
Bully on the Brink
Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith is the other man on the brink of an exit. Last year’s beaten finalist and runner up in the 2019 PDC Worlds is on a wretched run of form that has seen him take just nine points from 13 matches. Waiting to deliver the killer blow in Manchester is Rob Cross who is looking to confirm his place in the final stages.
There are no shocks in this market with ‘Voltage’ Cross leading the way at 10/11 with virtually every bookie including William Hill and MansionBet. Victory for Smith can be claimed at at a best of 11/5 with Unibet and 888sport while Bet365 are predictable too with their best of 4/1.
The earlier head to head between these two shows a comfortable 7-3 win for Rob Cross and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a similar outcome in week 13.
Verdict
The PDC Premier League has been notable for the amount of drawn games throughout the season. Three out of four games in week 12 finished at 7-7 and if we look at the whole tournament, there have been 15 tied games so far.
That’s worth keeping in mind this week as we look for some profits: Bet365 have that common price of 4/1 and that’s generous for a bet that is much shorter elsewhere.
We’re looking at one drawn game ourselves and that comes in the final contest between Michael Smith and Rob Cross. There may not be too much support for that theory but Cross isn’t the most reliable player to bet on while Smith is fighting desperately to stay in the competition.
Elsewhere, we’ve given our verdict on Price to beat Wade in a tight battle that could finish 8-6 either way. Finally, we’ll take another outsider in Peter Wright to beat Mensur Suljovic. The Austrian is inconsistent while Wright is another man who simply needs to win to keep his Premier League hopes alive. Desperation should therefore drive Snakebite to victory.