Darts: Wade, Price and Cullen Have a Lot to Play for in Aberdeen
There are just six more nights of Premier League action to be contested before the play-off stages of the competition are reached. Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Jonny Clayton are long odds-on shots to proceed to the semi-finals and finals double-header card at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena on June 13.
James Wade has enjoyed a great run in the Premier League and currently sits third in the standings. ©Simon O’Connor/PDC
But, according to the leading darts betting sportsbooks, one semi-final spot is still very much to be decided. James Wade, laying third in the current Premier League standings, is 10/11 to take it. Sixth-placed Gerwyn Price is 5/4 to claim it. Joe Cullen, sat fifth and four points ahead of Price, is 6/4.
Wade Can Prevail Against Winless Smith
This Thursday’s Premier League fixture in Aberdeen’s P&J Live Arena could prove decisive for the aspirations of these three players. James Wade seemingly has the easiest task on the night. He plays Michael Smith, who is the only player yet to win a nightly final.
The World Championship runner-up has the poorest leg difference of all Premier League candidates conceding 14 more legs than he has won. A first-round casualty in the past four Premier League nights, Smith has been way below his best in recent months.
But, as a winner and twice a runner-up during the past three weeks, James Wade has been the most successful player in the Premier League during the past month. Consequently, he is the nap selection amongst Thursday’s first-round matches.
Paying the Price for Inconsistency
Gerwyn Price played some excellent darts to beat Peter Wright in a first-round clash in last week’s Premier League. But he was dreadful in defeat against James Wade an hour later. Consistency has not been his friend in this year’s tournament, and he is a risky proposition against anyone right now.
Michael van Gerwen is his opponent on Thursday. The Dutchman was a first-round casualty against Jonny Clayton a week ago, but he did produce some stunning darts in defeat.
The clash was described as “the match of the tournament” by Sky Sport’s punditry team. In it, van Gerwen posted three 180s and a 152 check-out amongst three century-plus finishes. Both players recorded three-dart averages above 105, so it was a genuine classic.
Michael van Gerwen was a semi-finalist in last weekend’s German Darts Grand Prix. Gerwyn Price withdrew from the competition due to illness. ©Kais Bodensieck/PDC Europe
Van Gerwen has a remarkable +36 leg difference from the 20 matches he has played during the 2022 Premier League. On that basis, he should start favorite against anyone. Against Price – still recovering from a hand fracture and absent from last weekend’s German Darts Grand Prix citing ‘illness’ – he should never be as big as the 4/5 that is currently on offer at the best darts betting sites.
Cullen Looking to Leapfrog Wright
Joe Cullen sits three points behind Peter Wright in the current Premier League standings. A winning performance against that rival on Thursday could see him push Wright out of the all-important top four positions and place himself within them. There is a lot at stake here.
At 6/4 with the best Premier League darts betting sites, Cullen is a sizeable underdog. But this pair have met twice during the competition and the scores are one apiece. There is very little between the duo on statistics. So, if Cullen is beat, it is unlikely to be by a wide margin.
It is a short price but Cullen, receiving +2.5 legs in the handicap market, looks a good bet to place into your doubles, trebles and other multiple bets.
Recommended Bets
- James Wade to beat Michael Smith 5/6
- Michael van Gerwen to beat Gerwyn Price 4/5
- Joe Cullen (+2.5 legs) to beat Peter Wright in the handicap 1/2
