3 Things to Watch Out for in 2019 Premier League Darts

Posted: 23.01.19 in Darts Performance Centre Blog category

3 Things to Watch Out for in 2019 Premier League Darts

The latest edition of Premier League Darts is upon us, with some records entering the sights of the dominant Michael van Gerwen, who has proved victorious for the last three years, winning the overall tournament after having also topped the league table each year.

But this isn’t just the van Gerwen show. Below, we’ll take a look at three things to keep a watch on this year, with the tournament starting on Thursday 7th February in Newcastle before concluding at The O2 Arena in London on 23rd May.

Source: Michael van Gerwen via Facebook

Van Gerwen Looking to Equal Record

After starting the year by winning the PDC World Championship, Michael van Gerwen will now be looking to equal Phil Taylor’s record of championing four consecutive Premier League Darts seasons (which The Power achieved in the first four tournaments). What’s more, van Gerwen will also equal Taylor's record for total wins (five) if he wins the 2019 edition, having also won the competition in 2013.

It’s going to take some stopping the Dutchman, who recorded a remarkable 112.37 average (a final record) to beat Michael Smith in last year’s final. Unsurprisingly, van Gerwen is the odds-on favourite in darts betting markets to win the title again this year.

Source: Rob Cross via Facebook

No Unknown Quantities

There’s normally a debutant or four (as there was last year) among the Premier League roster but that is not the case this year, with the line-up exactly the same as at the 2018 edition.

That means there are four players making their second appearance at the competition: Rob Cross, Daryl Gurney, Gerwyn Price and Mensur Soljovic. Cross put in another eye-catching performance last year, reaching the semi-finals, as his star continues to grow. Daryl Gurney also made an impressive debut finishing in fifth, but Suljovic and Price will be eager to avoid being eliminated ahead of Phase 2, with Price also looking for his first win.

Source: Gary Anderson via Facebook

Points to Prove

While van Gerwen is undoubtedly the face of darts right now, he really needs some consistent rivals to keep the sport feeling competitive.

Peter Wright looked like he was about to kick-on to the next level in 2017 but then hardly had a spectacular 2018. Likewise, Rob Cross needs to build upon his shock World Championship victory (and solid Premier League showing) in 2018 to prove that he’s here for the long haul. Then, there’s Michael Smith, who reached last year’s final and, most recently, the World Championship final – although, consistency continues to allude Bully Boy.

But, most likely, Gary Anderson will prove to be van Gerwen’s biggest threat this year. The Scot has fallen at the semi-final stage in the last three editions of Premier League darts but Anderson has enjoyed a great run of form of late, reaching at least the semi-finals of eight of the last nine major competitions he’s entered, winning three of those tournaments in 2018 (the UK Open, World Matchplay and Champions League of Darts).