The nights are falling away week-by-week as we approach the final run-in to the play-offs, and last week’s affair in Birmingham saw a significant shake-up to the standings. As we head to Rotterdam this Thursday, find Premier League Darts Night 12 tips and predictions below.
Premier League Darts Night 12 Tips
- Michael Smith to Win vs Luke Littler @ 33/20
- Gerwyn Price vs Rob Cross Over 9.5 Legs @ EVS
Back both selections as a double at odds of 4/1 on Lucky Block.
Premier League Darts Night 12 Preview
Luke Littler reached his third successive final in Birmingham on Night 11, but failed to join exclusive company alongside Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries, who are the only two to win three nights on the bounce.
It was the former who dealt Littler his first defeat in three weeks, and in doing so, Van Gerwen jumped ahead of Nathan Aspinall to return to within two points of the leader.
After a mixed bag of results in recent weeks, he appeared to tap into the glory-hungry, ultra-competitive Van Gerwen we saw in the early stages of this campaign. He returns to his native Netherlands with plenty of momentum behind him, but faces the toughest of opening tests against outright favourite Luke Humphries.
Elsewhere, Gerwyn Price should be enthused by continuing his love affair with the European Tour in Riesa last weekend, just missing out to Martin Schindler in the final . ‘Iceman’ will be hoping to translate that momentum into his first nightly win on Thursday.
Despite his less-than-favourable position all the way down in seventh, the Welshman actually holds the second-highest average of anyone in the Premier League this season – he could prove a value pick as he faces Rob Cross in the evening’s second quarter-final.
Premier League Darts Table
Premier League Predictions and Betting Tips
Michael Smith to Win vs Luke Littler
This first selection may divide opinion, but we think there is plenty of value in Michael Smith prevailing in the first quarter-final of the night in Rotterdam.
Granted Luke Littler’s form in recent weeks has been sensational, winning two successive nights and reaching three finals in a row.
However, his record against Smith leaves a lot to be desired having lost three of their four previous meetings this season. In what could be a suitably high-scoring match to open the night, it will likely be decided on finer margins.
It is worth noting that Littler’s 107 average against Luke Humphries in last week’s semi-final was the only time he has cracked the one-hundred mark across his last 10 matches.
Although Michael Smith was unfortunate not to reach the final last week, he was throwing sizeable scores and has the necessary tools to trouble Littler in this quarter.
For that reason, we are happy to side with the value pick.
Gerwyn Price vs Rob Cross Over 9.5 Legs
This has the potential to be a hugely entertaining clash, and we expect fans in Rotterdam to be treated to a blow-for-blow shootout.
Gerwyn Price, as mentioned, finds himself puzzlingly low in the table despite some truly majestic showings in recent weeks – including the season’s first nine-darter.
His quarter-final opponent this week – Rob Cross – proved a problematic challenge for Luke Littler last week, pushing the league leader to all 11 legs.
Price should be able to carry some of the momentum from his deep run on the European Tour, where he appeared unshackled from the pressure that has seen him stumble on occasion in the Premier League.
If the Welshman can begin to find the all important outer ring quicker than he has been, there is no reason why him and Cross’ opener won’t go the distance.
Premier League Darts Night 12 Schedule and Odds
- Michael Smith (33/20) vs Luke Littler (21/50)
- Rob Cross (67/50) vs Gerwyn Price (53/100)
- Peter Wright (36/25) vs Nathan Aspinall (49/100)
- Michael van Gerwen (63/50) vs Luke Humphries (57/100)
