2018 Unibet Premier League Darts – Michael Smith vs Simon Whitlock Preview

AT A GLANCE

When? Thursday 22^nd February

Where? Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin

What channel is it on? Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Mix

Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go

Are tickets still available? www.pdc-europe.tv/tickets

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

CAREER HEAD-TO-HEAD
Michael Smith 6-5 Simon Whitlock

MICHAEL SMITH

• Michael Smith enjoyed a comprehensive 7-2 win over Mensur Suljovic last week in Newcastle to make it three wins from three matches played in the 2018 Premier League having previously defeated Gary Anderson and Daryl Gurney.
• Smith’s finishing against Suljovic was very impressive throughout; he never lost a leg in which he had a shot at a double and his checkout percentage of 64% was the highest registered by any player on the night.
• He has hit a ton plus checkout in all three of his 2018 Premier League matches and perhaps crucially, all three of those checkouts were in legs where his opponents had the throw.

SIMON WHITLOCK

• Simon Whitlock sits at the top of the Premier League table on leg difference after three rounds following his 7-4 win against Raymond van Barneveld last week. Whitlock broke the Van Barneveld throw in the second leg of the match to lead 2-0 and was always two or three legs ahead of his opponent thereafter.
• His finishing against Van Barneveld was very clinical throughout with a match checkout percentage of 58%. Overall his tournament checkout percentage of 55% is the best in the Premier League after the three weeks played so far.
• Whitlock comes into this match having not had his throw broken in his last two Premier League matches, and overall he has won the last 11 legs when he has thrown first.

THE PREDICTION

It’s the first Premier League match to take place in Germany and it brings together the two players with a 100% winning record after the opening three weeks of the 2018 Premier League. Both players have exceeded expectations so far and are full of confidence.

There is not much between the two players on their head-to-head match record with Smith leading 6-5, though Whitlock has won each of their last two encounters. It’s all pointing to a very tight match which might just be decided in the final leg.

Whitlock is a popular player in Germany and has fond memories of the country having won the European Championship title there in 2012. A bit of extra support from the crowd might just get him over the line in this top-of-the-table clash.