2020 Unibet Premier League Darts – Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen taking place? Thursday 5th March, 2020 – evening (UK)
Where is Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen taking place? Westpoint Exeter
What channel is Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen on? Sky Sports Action
Where can I stream Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Michael Smith vs Michael van Gerwen? Click here to purchase tickets for the 2020 Premier League Darts
What was the score in the last meeting? Michael Smith beat Michael van Gerwen 6-5
THE LOWDOWN
MICHAEL SMITH
- Michael Smith hit his first televised nine-dart finish in a 7-5 win against Daryl Gurney last Thursday night and comes into this week having won back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since 2018.
- Smith faces Michael van Gerwen just days after beating the Dutchman 6-5 in the quarter-finals at the Belgian Darts Championship on Sunday.
- He followed up his win against Van Gerwen with a victory against Peter Wright in the semi-finals but came up second best in the final against a red-hot Gerwyn Price.
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
- Michael van Gerwen returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 7-4 win against Ireland’s William O’Connor in Dublin.
- Van Gerwen showed flashes of his class against O’Connor but it wasn’t a vintage performance from the Dutchman and he finished the match with an average of 97.62.
- The reigning Premier League champion will have revenge on his mind having lost to Smith in the quarter-finals of the Belgian Darts Championship on Sunday, Van Gerwen has an unblemished record in the Premier League against Smith with six wins from six matches.
THE PREDICTION
This match is made all the more intriguing by the fact that Smith defeated Van Gerwen only a matter of days ago so he will surely carry confidence that he can overcome Van Gerwen for the first time on the Premier League stage. Beating the Dutchman twice in a row is certainly no easy feat though and Van Gerwen will be hungry for revenge. There is no doubt that Smith has the ability to defeat Van Gerwen again but the inconsistencies that can creep into his game make it difficult to be too strong on this happening and Van Gerwen is tipped to get over the line in a tight contest.
