AFTER Week 4 in Dublin, a familiar face returned to the top of the standings with five-time Premier League champ Michael van Gerwen took his place at the summit, but there's an unfamiliar face too with newcomer Nathan Aspinall matching MVG stride for stride so far. Week 5 takes us to Exeter and to help us pick through the bones of all the action, darts broadcaster, journalist and former Players Championship winner Paul Nicholson shares his thoughts.
Week 5: Exeter
The Banker
Seeing as Dublin didn’t disappoint on many fronts, we cascade into Exeter for Week 5 like we are floating on a lovely darts cloud that never seems to drop. However, picking “bankers” proves more difficult the more we get into this Premier League darts season. After mulling aplenty over this week's fixtures, and looking at the stage form of many combatants lately, I have chosen Gerwyn Price as my potential banker this time around.
Yes, he is playing against Glen Durrant who has had a solid start to his PL career, but just look at the stats Gezzy is putting in, week in and week out. The Welshman picked up the first European Tour event victory at the weekend in Hasselt, Belgium and with the exception of being Dirked for 3 legs in the semi-finals, he wasn’t really troubled. I am a huge fan of Duzza’s composure and steeliness but at this point in time, and at this time of year again where Gerwyn always looks strong, Price looks as likely to win as Dwayne Johnson is to make five terrible movies this year.
Also, you can’t discount The Iceman’s proclivity to hit more 180s than Glen, so when looking at the value, it creates a positive emoji style reaction.
Selection: Match winner and Most 180s – Price (7/4)
Match odds: Price (4/5), Draw (17/5), Durrant (5/2)
NINE-DARTER!!!
MICHAEL SMITH STRIKES PERFECTION IN DUBLIN!
It's the first Premier League nine-darter since 2017!! pic.twitter.com/k2vebOPzYv
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 27, 2020
The Punt
Michael van Gerwen retuned to the familiar summit of number one position in the Premier League last week with a convincing win against home challenger William O’Connor, and with that we all thought he would steamroll in the Belgium Darts Championship and start collecting Euro Tour titles promptly. The problem with that was, he ran into his Exeter opponent in the last 16 who timed his best shots to perfection.
Michael Smith didn’t win the title in Hasselt but looked as good as I’ve seen him in about 15 months. His first dart was pin-point and his win against Peter Wright in the semi-finals was a massive confidence booster, considering what happened against Snakey at The Masters. Add to that a win in Dublin over Gurney and producing a stunning 9-darter too. I told you so!!
A lot of people would leave this game alone for tipping, but if you look closer you will find a couple of things that look enticing. I think this game will go to the wire and produce maximums, so look below and find that pot of gold if you believe my hunches.
Selections: Over 11.5 legs (6/5), Over 6.5 Total 180s (19/20)
Match odds: Smith (4/1), Draw (4/1), van Gerwen (1/2)
Click here for all Premier League Darts Week 5 betting
The Longshot
When looking for a longshot in the Challenger phase of the league, it's somewhat simple to choose the non-permanent player and back them into a corner, but when you survey what Luke Humphries has done this season so far without much success, you get the feeling that something is coming. The Newbury chucker is averaging almost 98 for the season and is barely picking up big cash, which leads me to believe that he is not playing poorly, he just isn’t getting the wins and all of his opponents are playing well against him.
Last year he needed a catalyst for his season and at this venue 52 weeks back, he got exactly that and turned a cagey start into a memorable 2019. Who is to say he can’t become the first winning challenger? He does play against Gary Anderson however, who can probably throw a dart far enough from his own front porch to the Westpoint and still hit the bull. He has had shoulder issues, so he probably shouldn’t do that.
Anderson didn’t compete at the weekend in Belgium because he doesn’t do the European trips anymore, so this is as fresh as you will get when it comes to a competing Ando. He has been inconsistent in this year's campaign and for that reason you can’t ignore the danger that Cool Hand Luke possesses. If Ando gets a bad start and Luke gets comfortable, he could do a number on Gary, but that statement comes with a large pasting of trepidation.
The longshot has to be Humphries to win and to get the biggest out, because even a half-fit, half-practiced Gary can out 180 anyone if he is on it.
Selection: Winner and Highest Checkout – Humphries (4/1)
Match odds: Anderson (4/5), Draw (17/5), Humphries (5/2)
