We head to Newcastle for Night 8 of the Premier League season where the draw has top playing bottom and so forth.
Local boy Chris Dobey will be looking to mark the occasion with a big showing following his beloved Newcastle United’s historic trophy win.
Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting
No matter what way you chop it, Stephen Bunting’s return to the Premier League has been an unmitigated failure.
Bunting has failed to win a single match through seven rounds and his abysmal showing against Chris Dobey last week suggests it is as much mental as anything.
Since Feb 1, Littler is averaging over seven points more than Bunting and over five points higher on checkouts.
Littler holds just a 3-2 edge but won 6-3 in their only Premier League meeting and the gap has widened since then.
Tip: Luke Littler 6-2
Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross
For the second straight week, veterans Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross square off in the opening round.
Price has two nightly wins this season while Cross has yet to claim an evening but it is the Sussex arrowsmith who has been more consistent with four straight opening round wins.
Cross averaged just 89.40 when beating Price but was far more adept on the doubles.
It was his only match in his last eight where he has averaged below 98.8 and Price has averaged below 97.5 in six of his last seven.
Price did make it a round further than Cross at the European Tour event on the weekend but it is Cross who is throwing better.
Tip: Rob Cross 6-4
Luke Humphries v Chris Dobey
Humphries and Dobey have been very evenly matched over the years with Cool Hand holding just a 9-8 advantage.
Humphries is averaging over five points more than Dobey but the Geordie must be afforded a chance in his home tournament.
Humphries reached the quarters of the Euro Tour event while Dobey fell at the first hurdle but he no doubt had one eye on this event.
Humphries has lost three straight quarters so is not invincible at the moment.
Tip: Chris Dobey 6-5
Michael Van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall
It was fantastic to see Nathan Aspinall win his maiden European Tour event this week but he faces an almighty challenge to back it up against Michael Van Gerwen on Night 8 of the Premier League.
MVG holds a 20-8-1 all-time advantage over The Asp, winning 14 of the last 17 clashes.
They have split two Premier League meetings this year but MVG has undoubtedly thrown better this season with Aspinall having the lowest average of all eight players.
MVG has typically advanced this year and should do so again.
Tip: Michael Van Gerwen 6-4
Recommended Bets
- Luke Littler -2.5 ($1.62)
- Correct Score: Luke Littler 6-0 ($10.00)
- Rob Cross Win ($2.05)
- Chris Dobey Win ($3.05)
- Chris Dobey +1.5 ($2.15)
- Michael Van Gerwen -1.5 ($1.75)
Recommended Multi
Luke Littler -2.5/Rob Cross +1.5/Chris Dobey +2.5/Michael Van Gerwen ($6.14)
Nightly Winner
It would be folly to go against The Nuke.
He has won two of the last three nights while he has made four straight finals.
He is on the same side of the draw as his bogeyman Gerwyn Price but really should cruise to another final in his current form.
Luke Littler ($2.10)