Premier League Darts Week 4 Preview

Phil Taylor holds a narrow one point lead at the top of the Premier League Darts standings and the Power will be out to extend that advantage in week four when the action moves to the Westpoint Arena in Exeter.

The World No.1 was in imperious form yet again for week three of the tournament and eased to a second consecutive victory at the expense of rival Raymond Van Barneveld.

Taylor would have expected a tough battle against the Dutchman however he was far too good and prevailed 8-4 to assume pole position.

The Merseyside man is up against Aussie Simon Whitlock next and is red hot favourite at 4/9 to continue his fine form.

The Wizard will not be a push over for the dominant Taylor however his 8-3 loss to Kevin Painter in Aberdeen suggests that he is perhaps struggling to find his ‘A’ game and Taylor can land the odds to get punters up and running.

Whitlock was evidently under par against Painter but that should not take anything away from the Artist who will be out to record his third win from four against a pointless James Wade.

Wade’s confidence seems shot after three comprehensive defeats and it will be hard to oppose Painter who is strangely a 15/8 underdog.

The Machine is very much a form player – and when he is out of it, there is little reason to support him, particularly against a player such as Painter who is on the upgrade and conversely full of confidence.

Gary Anderson has a two from three record heading to Exeter but he faces a stiff challenge to maintain that up against World Champion Adrian Lewis.

The Scot will be confident after sinking James Wade but Lewis is unbeaten after three draws and the Jackpot will be adamant to get properly up and running so that too much ground is not lost on rival Taylor.

The bookmakers, quite rightly, envisage a tight affair and the draw may well pay dividends at 9/2. Anderson does have the slight preference nevertheless at 5/4 with Lewis available at 11/8. And in the final match of the round, the aforementioned Van Barneveld squares off against Andy Hamilton who fought out a credible draw with Lewis in Belfast.

Sitting in seventh place with just two points from his first three fixtures, Barny will feel he has to beat Hamilton if he is to stay within touch of the leaders.

Hamilton has a win, draw and loss from his first three games in the Premier League to date but could struggle against an in form Van Barneveld – who may just be able to raise his game in response to the defeat to Taylor in Belfast.

Barny is priced up at around even money and that looks a decent price as he won’t get a better opportunity to get fully up and running.

Trebling the Dutchman with Taylor and Painter pays out at a handsome 8/1 and that appears to be the obvious multiple for week 4 – which should start to separate the men from the boys.

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26/02/2012     © Frixo 2024