MVG Could Go Low in Darts Premier League Finale
Sixteen nights of darts action has finally delivered the four players that will contest the Premier League Play-Offs. The decisive games will be staged, before Sky Sports cameras, in the O2 London this Thursday. The stakes are high, £275,000 goes to the winner, and £125,000 will be awarded to the runner-up.
For the first time in the 2023 competition, the format now changes. Instead of ‘best of 11 legs’ confrontations, the two semi-finals are played as ‘best of 19 legs’ games. The decider is slated as a ‘best of 21 legs’ battle.
Gerwyn Price is 6/4 to be crowned the 2023 Premier League champion on Thursday. ©Taylor Lanning/PDC
Michael van Gerwen (MVG) won the 2022 Premier League decider by 11 legs to 10. It was his sixth success in the competition. He had previously taken the title in 2014 and for four consecutive years from 2016 onwards.
Injured MVG May Have to Go Low
The Dutchman’s 2017 success also came courtesy of a final leg shootout. None of the other 16 Premier League finals have gone to a deciding leg. It is something to consider if betting on the correct score of the final game of tonight’s event.
Darts betting sites believe Gerwyn Price has an outstanding chance of making the final. But they cannot decide who will emerge from the Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith second semi-final clash.
As MVG required medical attention to his upper arm and had to withdraw ahead of his semi-final in last week’s league fixture, it would take a brave person to back him against Michael Smith just seven days later.
Both players can be backed at 10/11 for the match win. They finished the league standings on an identical 33 points after playing an identical 32 matches. However, Smith has shown superior form during the past month winning three successive nightly finals. MVG has been unable to string together a two-match winning streak during the past two months.
In poor form and under an injury cloud, it is easy to oppose MVG on Thursday. However, there is a better bet. Pros suggest the mildest of upper-arm injuries could see MVG spend much of his time aiming at the treble-19 and not treble-20.
As Smith has been more prolific than MVG at 180 scoring in the league, the 180s match-bet handicap offered by the leading darts sites is a vital port of call. Here you will find Smith is on offer at even money forfeiting a 1.5 start. It is a cute bet.
Go In-Form Jonny Go on the Handicap
Jonny Clayton scraped into the Play-Offs by the smallest possible margin last week. His Premier League points haul is 24 points. In comparison, the table-topper and Thursday’s opponent, Gerwyn Price, chalked up 39 points.
But Clayton has a superior Premier League checkout percentage, and he claimed his first Players Championship title in over two years in Leicester on Sunday. In beating Josh Rock 8-5 in the final of that competition, the Welshman produced a trio of ton-plus averages. What better tonic ahead of his Premier League quest on Thursday at London O2?
Post-match Clayton said: “I’ll admit I’m the laziest practicer at home, so I needed this, and it keeps me sharp for next week. I’m playing okay again, and I’ve got a smile on my face. Hopefully, it gives me that confidence to pick up the trophy for a second time.”
Confidence is king in mano a mano sport, and it should, at the very least, see Clayton make a meaningful impression on the match that he is considered a big underdog to win. Our bet suggestion is to support him on the handicap where he receives 2.5 legs. The best darts betting sites quote ‘The Ferret’ at even money in this market.
