MICHAEL SMITH v DARYL GURNEY

Over 7.5 180s and under 2.5 100+ checkouts in the match –

This opening match is an enigma.

Smith enjoyed a productive weekend in Wigan – winning one UK Open qualifier and getting to the final of another – but was still beaten 6-0 by Gurney in between.

Smith only averaged 89.12 in eventually overcoming a half-fit Gary Anderson last week, and isn’t guaranteed to make throwing first count against the Northern Irishman, who flew out of the traps against Barney last week.

The safest option here is to back a fair few maximums and not many 100+ checkouts, as this pair combined to hit eight 180s but only one three-figure finish last week.

ROB CROSS v SIMON WHITLOCK

Whitlock to win or draw –

After losing his first game in all three UK Open qualifiers at the weekend, Cross has still won just one match since becoming world champion at the start of the year – and even that was against Ian White.

Whitlock was determined to prove that he belongs back among Premier League company on the opening night, hitting the highest average with 106.49 and nailing seven out of eight attempts at double.

Cross, on the other hand, was comprehensively beaten on his competition debut, albeit by MVG, and, in this sort of form, his price just looks a bit too short.

For that reason, you’re better off chasing the value on offer by backing the Wizard to pick up where he left off last week.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN v PETER WRIGHT

MVG to win, hit over 1.5 100+ checkouts and over 10.5 legs in the match –

Van Gerwen won his 100^th PDC singles title at the weekend with two UK Open qualifier victories, hitting two 100+ checkouts in the finals of both.

They included a 170 and a 120 that featured two bullseyes and, after rattling off three 114s against Cross last week, he is finishing for fun at the moment.

Wright’s record against MVG has improved of late, though he’s never beaten the Dutchman in eight attempts in the Premier League.

But with two draws, two going the distance and last year’s final needing a deciding leg, it does tend to be close.

GERWYN PRICE v GARY ANDERSON

Anderson to win and hit the most 180s –

Given what happened last week, when Anderson threw away a 5-1 lead after missing 14 darts at double to secure at least a point, this is another dangerous game to call.

But The Flying Scotsman is always better when there’s a bit of needle around, and ought to be fired up against an opponent he branded a “clown” before their World Series of Darts quarter-final.

Anderson won that match, as well as the following meeting at the same stage of the Masters for his third victory in a row.

Even with a dodgy back, he hit more 180s than the Welshman last week, and will surely not be as forgiving when it comes to seeing the game out this time around.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD v MENSUR SULJOVIC

Van Barneveld to win and hit most 180s with over 2.5 100+ checkouts in the match –

Suljovic threw three ton-plus finishes in a losing cause last week, but just couldn’t seem to get over the line against Whitlock.

He wasn’t helped by only mustering a single 180s over the full 12 legs, whereas Van Barneveld managed three in battling back to claim a point against Gurney.

Barney also went close with a couple of monster checkouts of his own – bending the wire on a 131 and missing bull for a 170 – so will surely manage to put a couple away this time.

Given he’s only lost one of his last eight Premier League matches when throwing first, and also saw off Suljovic in the Masters semi-finals at the end of last month, this looks like the bet of the night.