SCOTSMEN to get off to a flyer in the Premier League Darts

The Echo Arena in Liverpool is the venue for the first set of matches as Premier League Darts returns to liven up your Thursday evenings.

No doubt about the game of the night and that is the battle between the top two in the world as Phil Taylor takes on Micheal van Gerwen in a repeat of the 2013 Premier League final. It was the Dutchman who came out on top on that day and he is 7/5 with betway who are sponsoring this event. The firm seem to have made a point of being best or joint best price on each of the players in the opening week and it seems silly to go anywhere else if you want an outright bet on the match. Taylor is also 7/5 and you have to think Phil will come out with a point to prove following his shock exit in the World Championships to Michael Smith. This could be a tight encounter with a 6-6 draw or a narrow 7-5 win either way in the mix therefore if you must bet on the game take 5/4 (SKYBET/CORAL) that this match has over 11.5 legs.

The opening game of the tournament sees Dave Chisnall take on Robert Thornton. The oddsmakers are struggling to split the pair with both available at 7/5 (Thornton with boylesports/betway, Chisnall with just the latter). I think the Scot Thornton looks the better value of the pair as he finished fifth last season just outside the semi-final slots and will take on a player making his Premier League debut. Chizzy has had a tough few months which include going out in the First Round of the World Championships to John Henderson. The draw is a risk so take the Scot in the draw no bet market at 19/20 (boylesports). In addition you might want to consider the Thorn in the most 180s market at 7/4 (SPREADEX). Thornton registered the second highest amount of 180s in the regular season last year. Another Premier league newboy, Peter Wright, is in action in the second game and he is evens (paddy Power) to see off Wes Newton. Snakebitet will be full of confidence having reached the final of the ladbrokes World Championships and he will not be phased by the big crowd and he is evens (paddy Power) for victory. Newton had a disappointing time in the Premier League last season getting relegated and will be hungry to do better here. The head-to-head record gives Wright a narrow 7-6 advantage so prices look about right.

Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson are two old hands at this game and have bags of experience amongst them. Both are inconsistent players who can blow hot or cold though it is the Scot who has shown the better form lately. He won a Euro Tour event in Germany at the weekend and pushed van Gerwen to the wire in the Worlds going down in seven sets. I think the Scot will be desperate to make amends for a poor showing last season and evens (sportingbet/ladbrokes/william hill) on him in the draw no bet market look the way to play this fixture.

The finale of the evening is another battle of the more established players as Adrian Lewis takes on Simon Whitlock. I really do not like getting involved in Lewis games unless he or his opponent are a crazy price. Jackpot is far too inconsistent to be backing at 9/10 (boylesports) and I can see a case for backing the Wizard at odds of 6/4 (GENERAL) in the draw no bet market. With so many better bets on the evening I would recommend keeping a watching brief though and seeing how things pan out.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Anderson to defeat van Barneveld, draw no bet, evens (sportingbet/ladbrokes/william hill)
SILVER: Thornton to defeat Chisnall, draw no bet, 19/20 (BOYLESPORTS)
BRONZE: Thornton most 180s v Chisnall, 7/4 (SPREADEX)

Go To bet365

#Ad

16/02/2014     © Frixo 2026