BetMGM Premier League Darts Night 15 Preview & Tips: Littler on edge of glory as Smith chases top four
The 2024 BetMGM Premier League Darts heads to Leeds for the penultimate regular evening of action before London’s Play-offs Night and it is still all to play for as the battle for the top four approaches its conclusion.
Luke Littler’s victory last week in Aberdeen was his second in a row, and fourth overall, as his lead at the top of the table was extended to eight points. This means he is guaranteed a spot at the O2 next month. Joining him at Play-offs Night will be Luke Humphries. The world number one is assured of a place in the top four despite a Night 14 semi-final defeat to Rob Cross, himself keeping his faint play-off hopes alive.
It is a big ask for Cross, who will have to win both remaining nights to qualify. The task is slightly less difficult for Michael Smith who now sits just two points behind fourth-placed Michael van Gerwen and three ahead of Nathan Aspinall in third.
Two players we already know will not be appearing at the O2 are Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright, with the Welshman’s withdrawal from Night 14 ending his chances of a top-four finish, joining the already-eliminated Snakebite.
It’s time for Night 15 in Leeds as the fight for the 2024 BetMGM Premier League Play-offs Night heads toward a conclusion. Let’s take a run-through of the fixtures as the tournament makes its way to Yorkshire.
BetMGM Premier League Darts Night 15 Fixtures
First up in Leeds is Michael van Gerwen, who currently occupies the final spot in the top four. He faces Gerwyn Price, already eliminated following last week’s withdrawal through injury and essentially playing for pride in this one. Van Gerwen’s four nightly wins in the competition have come alongside eight quarter-final exits. With only bottom-of-the-table Peter Wright suffering more defeats in the quarter-finals, Price will be eyeing up this as an opportunity to pick up some morale-boosting points.
The second quarter-final sees top against bottom as Luke Littler takes on Wright. Back-to-back nightly wins in Liverpool and Aberdeen have sent the Nuke eight points clear of second-placed Luke Humphries – a third in a row here would give him an unassailable lead with one round remaining. Wright has struggled badly with just two wins in the whole campaign and is on a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats.
Quarter-final number three brings together Luke Humphries and Rob Cross in a repeat of the semi-final last week in Aberdeen. Cross won that one 6-5 and needs a similar performance and result this week if he has any hopes of making Play-offs Night. Humphries, meanwhile, has enjoyed a fine campaign but is without a win in the last two nights; his semi-final appearance in Aberdeen came courtesy of Price’s withdrawal.
Finally, we have Nathan Aspinall taking on Michael Smith, with both players still harbouring hopes of a place in the top four. The Asp is currently in the driving seat, sitting third with two nightly wins and 25 points to his name. This fixture could see things change – Bully Boy is just three points behind and can move into the play-off places with a strong performance.
He has form at this venue too, winning here in 2023 and can put some pressure on those above him with a similar display this year.
Night 15 quarter-finals in full: Michael van Gerwen vs Gerwyn Price; Luke Littler vs Peter Wright; Luke Humphries vs Rob Cross; Nathan Aspinall vs Michael Smith
12/1 BetMGM Premier League Darts Night 15 Accumulator
The penultimate night of the 2024 BetMGM Premier League Darts sees some intriguing ties as the race for the top four reaches a head. As ever, we have put together an acca for the four quarter-finals – this week it comes in at a tasty 12/1.
Michael van Gerwen to beat Gerwyn Price @ 7/10
After being unable to participate in Night 14 in Aberdeen, Price saw qualification hopes come to an end, but he still has a say in who does make the top four. This match against Van Gerwen is a big one for the Dutchman, who needs points to ensure he stays ahead of Michael Smith. Having met just twice this tournament, the pair have one win each but it is Van Gerwen we reckon will win this one. He needs the points more and while both players have struggled for form, MVG has won three of the last four Premier League meetings, and we like the 7/10 for him to win the match.
Luke Littler vs Peter Wright – Littler King of the Oche @ 11/8
It would be difficult to put together two players with more contrasting tournaments. Littler, top of the pile with 36 points and four nightly wins, takes on Peter Wright with his measly two match victories in 14 nights so far.
Nightly champion in both of the previous two weeks, Littler can win the league outright with another victory here and we can’t see anything other than him getting his night off to a flying start against Wright. He is an appealing 11/8 to be ‘King of the Oche’ – win the match, have the most 180s and the highest checkout. Littler was one 180 away from achieving this in their previous Premier League meeting and has an average weekly highest checkout of 98.48 compared to Wright’s 72.31.
Luke Humphries to average under 99.5 vs Rob Cross @ 10/11
An interesting clash is in store in the third game of the night. Cross has to win this game – and indeed the night – to keep his play-off hopes alive. His two consecutive runner-up performances have kept him in with a shout but the likelihood for Voltage is that he will rue the six consecutive quarter-final defeats prior.
Humphries has played some simply wonderful darts throughout the tournament, yet is without a win in the last two weeks. He has still averaged over 100 for the tournament as a whole but has only managed to do this in one Premier League game in the past six weeks.
As such, 10/11 for Cool Hand to average under 99.5 is an intriguing addition to our acca.
Nathan Aspinall vs Michael Smith over 9.5 legs @ 4/5
Possibly the most anticipated match of the quarter-finals sees Aspinall up against Smith. The two are separated by just three points in the table but it is the Asp who occupies that all-important position in the top four with just two nights remaining.
He has also, notably, won both games between against Smith in the 2024 BetMGM Premier League – but both have been close, finishing 6-4 and 6-5 respectively.
It is perhaps no surprise that Aspinall (67%) and Smith (63%) top the table for the number of games with over 9.5 legs. The 4/5 for it to happen in this one seems a great way to finish the acca.
Night 15 Accumulator
- Michael van Gerwen to beat Gerwyn Price
- Luke Littler ‘King of the Oche’ vs Peter Wright
- Luke Humphries to average under 99.5 vs Rob Cross
- Nathan Aspinall vs Michael Smith over 9.5 legs
Priced at 12/1 with BetMGM
Remember, with our Golden Arrows promotion you can double your odds on the BetMGM Premier League Darts every Thursday, including on our Night 15 acca, making this an even more appealing 24/1 shot. Read more about Golden Arrows here.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
Night 15 Odds & BetMGM Specials
Top of the table and assured of his Play-offs Night spot, Luke Littler heads to Leeds as 15/8 favourite and victory here would ensure he finishes the regular competition as the league leader. Luke Humphries sits behind Littler in the table and is 10/3 to win his hometown night and stop the Nuke claiming a third victory in a row. Michael van Gerwen is 7/2 for a fifth nightly win while Gerwyn Price can be backed at 7/1 on his return from injury.
Winner in Leeds last year Michael Smith is priced at 9/1, with third-placed Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross both at 10/1. Peter Wright, marooned at the bottom of the table, is available at a huge 66/1.
Elsewhere it's 8/1 for Leeds to feature the second nine-dart finish of this year's competition while markets such as total evening 180s, over/under three-dart average, King of the Oche and specific doubles to be hit are all live should you fancy backing something a bit different.
BetMGM has a host of other markets available in-play throughout the evening so be sure to keep an eye on the BetMGM Premier League Darts Hub throughout Night 14.
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Don’t forget – you can double your winnings on any BetMGM Premier League Darts market weekly with Golden Arrows. Read more about Golden Arrows here.
The 2024 BetMGM Premier League is intensifying with the battle for the top four really hotting up. Less than a handful of nights remain until Play-offs Night at London’s O2 in May and the competition will surely have more twists and turns in store for us yet.
It’s showtime!
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