Premier League Darts heads to Brighton this Thursday with eight stars back in action.
The dust has settled on this past weekend’s UK Open and it’s back to business in the new-look Premier League.
Peter Wright leads the way after four weeks, but it’s Michael Smith who everyone will have their eyes on on the south coast.
“Bully Boy” lost his seventh televised major final at the weekend to Danny Noppert and will be keen to bounce back in Brighton.
Michael van Gerwen is also showing signs of his brilliant best after winning week four.
Let’s take a look at the picks for week 5:
Michael Smith to beat Gary Anderson
Despite more heartbreak in the UK Open final, Michael Smith played some fantastic darts in Minehead.
“Bully Boy” threw a nine-darter en route to his seventh major final and is edging closer and closer to that illusive maiden crown.
Smith won the most recent meeting between these two at last year’s Grand Slam of Darts and we fancy the younger man to drag forward his momentum from Minehead.
Peter Wright v Jonny Clayton – over 5.5 180s
Peter Wright was crowned world number 1 for the first time in his career at the weekend and will be eager to flex that title in Brighton.
Both men are playing fantastic darts at the moment, both reaching two finals in the four Premier League weeks so far.
In a match that could quite easily go 11 legs, backing over 5.5 180s for these big scorers looks an excellent price.
James Wade to beat Michael van Gerwen
James Wade is blowing hot and cold on the oche at the moment, but when the pressure is off “The Machine” can often look at his best.
In a race to six against an unpredictable Michael van Gerwen, 11/5 is a fantastic price for the multiple major winner.
Wade has only lost one of his four quarter-finals so far in this season’s revamped Premier League.
Joe Cullen v Gerwyn Price – over 10.5 legs
Both men will have been disappointed by their UK Open appearances at the weekend.
Cullen has taken to Premier League life fairly well, and has a week 2 win over Gerwyn Price 6-5.
We think this one could go similarly deep, with over 10.5 legs the pick.
