Premier League Darts Odds: Who Will Claim The Wildcard Spots?

With the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship now over, the anticipation surrounding this year's Premier League Darts wildcards has intensified on betting sites. 

Luke Humphries beat a brave Luke Littler 7-4 in an outstanding final on Wednesday night to be crowned World Darts champion for the first time in his career and now the sport's focus has turned to the Premier League. 

Rob Cross' defeat to Luke Littler in the semi-finals denied him a coveted spot in the top four in the order of merit, consequently excluding him from an automatic entry into the 17-week long tournament, with Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall taking the four automatic spots.

As the countdown to the tournament's kick-off on February 1 begins, we've looked to identify the contenders for the four 'wildcard' spots - who will be named at 4pm on Thursday, January 4. 

The question on everyone's mind is: Who will secure these remaining positions in this year's Premier League? Let's explore the latest odds to unravel the potential candidates.

Cross And Price To Make The Cut 

Had Rob Cross reached the final of the World Championship, his automatic qualification for the Premier League would have been assured. 

Despite his semi-final setback, there is an expectation that the 33-year-old will secure a well-deserved spot in the tournament.

Cross's impressive achievements, including winning two world series events and clinching runner-up positions in both the Grand Slam of Darts and The Masters, complement his notable semi-final run in this year's World Championship. 

Darts betting sites reflect confidence in his selection, offering odds of 1/2 for Cross to earn his place in the Premier League.

Gerwyn Price has been a consistent contender in the competition since 2018, reaching the final in 2023. 

Currently occupying the World No. 5 ranking, his on-stage antics have become a defining and captivating aspect, making his inclusion almost indispensable in the eyes of the general public.

Price's triumph in the World Cup of Darts, alongside his compatriot Jonny Clayton, should be enough to see the Welshman in.

His remarkable performance in last year's Premier League, coupled with the extraordinary achievement of hitting two nine-darters in a single night, justifies the odds of 4/6 for his inclusion for 2024.

Luke Littler's win over Brendan Dolan in the World Championship quarter-final marked a historic moment, becoming the most-watched quarter-final in the tournament's history on Sky Sports, reaching a peak viewership of 1.4m. 

That was eclipsed by his 6-2 semi-final victory over Cross, which pulled in a whopping 2.32m viewers - a 165% increase on last year's last four games for Sky. 

The Premier League places significant emphasis on the personalities and appeal that players bring to the stage. Littler's meteoric rise to stardom, positions him as one of the favourites to secure a spot - especially as he is now the World Championship runner-up.

Despite being listed at Evens, Littler's odds are not shorter, primarily due to his age. At just 16 years old, the Warrington-born prodigy acknowledges that the PDC might overlook him due to his limited experience in handling the demanding schedule of the darting calendar.

Littler's candid admission influences his odds, making him available at 5/2 to receive but decline an invitation, as he focuses on establishing himself as a professional.

Wright And Chisnall In With A Shout

Among the seasoned contenders with Premier League experience, Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall stand out.

Despite Wright not enjoying a stellar year on the board, his vibrant walk-on and flamboyant outfits make him a fan favourite, aligning perfectly with the values of the Premier League. 

His journey in the tournament includes a memorable but heartbreaking moment in 2017 when he lost one of the most nail-biting finals to date. In that encounter, he missed six match darts before ultimately succumbing to Michael van Gerwen.

Despite his recent form, Snakebite remains a contender for the 2024 Premier League, with odds of 3/1 indicating that he could nick a spot in the upcoming edition.

Trailing closely behind Wright is the 2015 semi-finalist, Dave Chisnall. At 43 years old, Chisnall has enjoyed a solid year on the tour, securing triumphs in three European Tour events and establishing himself as one of the premier 180 hitters.

Despite these accomplishments, the absence of a major title in his portfolio might pose a challenge for Chisnall. 

The prospect of a seventh successive year on the Premier League sidelines looms, given the competition's emphasis on notable achievements. 

Nevertheless, Chizzy remains in the running for a call-up from the PDC, with betting odds of 4/1 suggesting he is in with a chance.

Bunting And Dobey Could Get The Invite

Stephen Bunting emerged as one of the most loved players in the 2024 World Championship, and a significant part of his widespread support can be attributed to his engaging presence on the social media platform TikTok. 

Hailing from St Helens, Bunting previously participated in a full Premier League campaign in 2015, finishing in eighth place. 

Despite the time gap since his last extended Premier League appearance, his impressive averages and the support he garnered during the recent World Championship suggests that he could sway the decision-makers in his favour for a wildcard entry.

Currently priced at 4/1, Bunting is a decent shout for a spot in the Premier League.

Chris Dobey stands out among the contenders, having secured a TV title this year, making him a popular choice among darts enthusiasts for a Premier League call-up.

Despite a narrow defeat after vacating a 4-0 lead in the World Championship quarter-finals against Rob Cross, the Geordie thrower's impressive performances make him a 5/1 prospect to be selected by the PDC. 

Noppert And Anderson Among The Outsiders

World No.7 Danny Noppert, while slipping under the radar, fills the international quota for the PDC. But, his early exit in this year's World Championship may have hindered his chances of inclusion. 

The potential attention he could attract when the tournament heads to Rotterdam could be huge, but the 7/1 odds offered by betting apps might not be enticing enough for punters.

Gary Anderson has won the Premier League twice and many called for his inclusion in this year’s Premier League following a significant upturn in the Scotsman’s form. 

Unfortunately, his aspirations took a hit with a shock defeat to Brendan Dolan in the fourth round, seemingly ending his chances.

Last year was the first time the Flying Scotsman had not been invited to the competition and there is speculation that the shift in focus might be towards younger players on the circuit. 

Gary remains an 8/1 contender for a potential return to the Premier League, leaving the door slightly ajar for a comeback.

Dolan, Heta And Pietreczko Look Unlikely To Be Involved

Brendan Dolan holds odds of 12/1 to secure a spot in the Premier League, fuelled by his impressive run to the quarter-finals in this year's World Championship.

While the Northern Irishman would be a crowd favourite during the week the players visit Belfast, opinions suggest that his performances throughout the year might not be sufficient to secure a place.

World No.10 Damon Heta, also priced at 12/1, is awaiting a deep run in a major tournament and seems likely to miss out on this year's Premier League.

Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko, is priced at 16/1, following his victory over Van Gerwen in the German Darts Championship. 

Despite the increasing popularity of the sport in Germany, it may be a bit premature for Pietreczko to secure a Premier League spot this year.