Darts
Michael van Gerwen vs Rob Cross Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
We are into week four of the PDC Premier League Darts, and the action moves into the Westpoint Arena in Exeter – so, make sure you bet on the darts. Michael van Gerwen is currently third on the table and faces seventh-placed Rob Cross. SportsBoom brings you all the latest betting insights, previews and darts prediction ahead of Thursday’s clash.
Michael van Gerwen//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Online sports betting sites are firmly behind the teen sensation for Thursday’s matchup.
Michael van Gerwen: 48/100 (1.48) – 67%
Rob Cross: 29/20 (2.9) – 33%
Head-To-Head Record
Last three meetings (All competition)
15/06/2024: Cross 7–2 Van Gerwen
02/06/2024: Van Gerwen 4–6 Cross
16/05/2024: Van Gerwen 6–4 Cross
Michael van Gerwen Current Form – LWLLW
Michael van Gerwen has been his usual glorious self – adding value both on and off the circuit. He has earned six points from his first three nights, and should he emerge victorious here, he will face either Gerwyn Price or Luke Humphries in the final four.
Mighty Mike isn’t going to need to play with too much pressure here, and given his performances so far, there is no reason to expect a below-par showing from the former champion.
Michael van Gerwen News
Michael van Gerwen has often had to deal with various health struggles but has always managed to find a way forward. He is prone to the odd, unexpected defeat – think back to that match against Michael Flynn at the Players Championship – and will need to be at his best here once again.
Rob Cross Current Form – LLWLW
Cross has a reasonably good record against Michael van Gerwen, which might give him an added dose of confidence. He has played van Gerwen five times in last year’s Premier League and managed to find victory on three occasions.
Then again, this year’s edition of the Premier League hasn’t gone too well for Cross. He has only won one match – and that was against Stephen Bunting, who occupies 8th spot and at the time of writing is yet to win a single game.
The concern for Cross is the fact that he hasn’t finished higher than sixth place at this tournament since winning the entire thing back in 2019.
Rob Cross News
February has been a bit of a whirlwind season for Cross. After securing his first Player’s Championship (highlighting his return to form), he has struggled to find any sort of traction and confidence in the Premier League Darts. We can’t help but think back to the match against Littler where he was up 5-1 and just couldn’t get over the line.
Suggested Bets
These are our suggested bets for this darts encounter!
Match Winner (Michael van Gerwen): He is a formidable competitor and wants to win everything. He won’t be resting on his laurels and so we are backing him to secure victory here. 48/100 (1.48) with Betway.
Michael van Gerwen (-1.5): Van Gerwen will be aggressive. If is able to get into the fixture quickly and outplay his opponent, he will overcome this handicap. 77/100 (1.77) with 1xBet.
Highest Checkout (Michael van Gerwen): It is a tip which speaks for itself – get on! 13/20 (1.65) with Pinnacle.
Value Bets
Total 180s (Over 5.5): A game with two aggressive players egging each on? Back over 5.5 180s here with a degree of confidence. 9/10 (1.9) with Stake.
Match Winner + Highest Checkout (Michael van Gerwen): Combine these two betting aspects for maximum value. 12/10 (2.2) with Stake.
Rob Cross (Most 180s): He is often at the forefront of hitting maximums and we don’t see why he wouldn’t approach this match in the same vein. 39/20 (2.95) with Betway.
Prediction: Michael van Gerwen to Win
Mighty Mike is the sort of player who never seems to want to be shown up by his opponent. No, he doesn’t come into this game with any sort of pressure or unnecessary expectation, but he will want to put Rob cross to the sword early and not allow him to grow into the game.
Expect an exciting game, these two players will not back down from each other, but expect Michael van Gerwen to power past his opponent and claim victory on the night.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
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