Premier League Darts Week 3: Can Cullen Go 17 Unbeaten?
Joe Cullen looks a great bet to beat Michael van Gerwen in an opening-round match of Thursday’s Cazoo Premier League Darts in Belfast. The winner of the Ladbrokes Masters at the end of January, Cullen is playing in the Premier League for the first time in 2022. He has made an immediate impression.
Joe Cullen won 14 consecutive matches at the weekend. He is fancied to continue his winning ways on Thursday in the Premier League. ©PDC
In last week’s Premier League staged in Liverpool, the 32-year-old eliminated James Wade and Gerwyn Price before losing to an inspired Jonny Clayton in the final. But it is Cullen’s exploits in last weekend’s pair of Players Championship events that make him the player to side with.
Over the course of two days, the Bradford-based right-hander won a remarkable 14 consecutive matches. His results saw him win two competitions and claim the scalps of some of the sport’s biggest names.
Self Confidence Can Beat van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen did appear to be returning to his best when posting some high averages in last week’s Premier League. But the fact remains he has lost two of his three 2022 Premier League matches and consistency has been missing for a long time.
In Sunday’s Players Championship tournament, the Dutchman was eliminated by the little-known Scott, Cameron Menzies. Van Gerwen’s Twitter feed has become a monotonous loop of reflections on thwarted opportunities, barren bonds, dashed hopes and broken promises. It is a wistful take on his current form.
Michael van Gerwen has suffered a dramatic loss of form. ©PDC
Vitally, Cullen beat van Gerwen when they last met on a televised stage. That was less than three weeks ago in the third round of the Masters. Resultantly Cullen must be confident whereas van Gerwen seems to have very little self-belief.
Cullen Can Take Two
The best darts betting sites have Cullen priced at 13/10 to beat van Gerwen in the second match on Thursday night’s card. The player – known by the nickname The RockStar – can also be backed at 4/6 in the handicap markets where he receives a 1.5-leg start.
Former Premier League sponsors, Unibet have a market on individual players making the final. To do so Cullen will have to beat van Gerwen and then either Michael Smith or Gerwyn Price.
Michael Smith is yet to win a match in the Premier League. He also lost to 19-year-old newcomer Danny Jansen and world-ranked number 69 Joe Murnan at the weekend.
As Cullen claimed a victory over Price in a Premier League clash a week ago and once again at the weekend, neither potential opponent should prove an insurmountable obstacle to Joe Cullen.
Resultantly, Joe Cullen to make Thursday’s final by winning two consecutive matches looks like a fair investment at 4/1.
