Premier League Darts heads to the Utilita Arena, Birmingham for Night 11. The first matchup of the Night is Peter Wright against the Champion of the world, Luke Humphries. Humphries has dropped down to second place after failing to pick up any points in his last two outings in the Premier League. Humphries did get to the final of Players Championship 8 on Tuesday, however he was denied of winning it by Danny Noppert who beat him 8-6. Peter Wright mathematically is still in with a chance of making the top four, but in reality the former world champ will probably be missing out on going to London in May for the Play Offs. Wright sits on four points, which is 13 of fourth place Van Gerwen on 17. I see Humphries comfortably winning this match without really getting out of second gear.
NOPPERT TAKES THE TITLE! 🥶🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 9, 2024
Danny Noppert defeats the World Champion, Luke Humphries, 8-6 to secure glory at Players Championship 8!
'The Freeze' has NEVER been beaten in a Pro Tour final! pic.twitter.com/a1FaiS2m8p
The Second Match of the night is “Voltage” Rob Cross against Luke “The Nuke” Littler. Cross has dropped off in recent weeks which is why he now sits in 6th place on 11 points. This can happen in the Premier League as it’s the best against the best. However, Rob will know he needs to start winning now if he stands a chance of making it into that top four come May. It’s not going to be easy for the former World Champ as he is coming up against a World Champion in the making Luke Littler. Littler has had a brilliant last two weeks. Winning back to back nights, the last one coming in his home town Manchester. This has seen him go top of the table, one point ahead of the world number one Luke Humphries. I think Littler wins this game. I believe Cross will push him all the way as he will be fighting for points and there’s not many weeks left till the Play Offs, but I see Littler being too much for him and progressing through to the semi finals.
The next game of the night is Wales v England, Gerwyn Price against Michael Smith. Gerwyn will be hoping to continue his good form from last week after he hit a nine darter in Manchester. He also made it to the final losing to Littler 6-3. This has seen him go one point off cross whos in 6th place in the table. Price stays in seventh but he is starting to pick up points and will hope he can have a late charge for the top four. Smith has been on and off this whole campaign but overall I think he will be relatively content that he sits in 5th place two points off the top four. These two met last week in the semifinals where Price produced perfection hitting the nine dart leg against Smith. Gerwyn also averaged 102 in that match, sweeping aside Michael 6-3. Smith will be hoping Price does not produce the levels he did in that match. If I had to swing one way I would go for Gerwyn Price. I think that it will go right down to the wire, with Price progressing to the semis.
The last Quarter Final of the evening is the best one of the lot in my opinion. It’s Michael Van Gerwen battling it out against Nathan Aspinall. Only one point separates the pair in the table. Aspinall is in third place on 18 points and Michael is in fourth on 17 points. Van Gerwen will be disappointed in his recent form which has seen him go from first to fourth in a matter of weeks. Since night four he has only picked up points in one of the nights. It’s unbelievable to think he’s still even in the top four. That’s what winning three nights in a row gets you. He’ll be determined to start picking up points again. However Michael will be fully aware that he is going to be in for a propper battle against Nathan. Aspinalls form in recent weeks has been outstanding as he just keeps picking up points. If he keeps this up, you will definitely see him in London come May. For me this game has 11 legs written all over it. I think it will be a cracking watch and could go either way. Saying that I think Michael Van Gerwen edges it in a last leg decider.
In the Semi Finals I’ve gone with Littler v Humphries yet again. It seems like this pair are always playing. This would be a thrilling game for the crowd in Birmingham. I do see Humphries making it to the final. Again, we could have another last leg decider on our hands. What a treat that would be. In the other half of the draw, if it is a Price v Van Gerwen Semi Final, I think we will all witness Van Gerwen make it through to the final, to set up a mouthwatering tie with Humphries.
Premier League Darts Birmingham Prediction
So who do I think will be victorious in the Premier League Darts at Birmingham?
If I had to pick a winner this week in Birmingham, I’m going to go with Michael Van Gerwen. This isn’t based on recent performances. I just think on his day he can beat anyone in the world. He does desperately need to start winning again to keep him away from that top four battle.
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