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Premier League Darts 2014 Week Two Premium Picks.
Week Two of the 2014 Premier League Darts season and we’re back in Bournemouth, scene of Barney’s famous 9-darter. After last week’s amazing night, my faith is somewhat restored in the Premier League, and we could be on for another special night in Bournemouth. Week One kicked off with a tight win for debutante Dave Chisnall over Robert Thornton. The night’s other debutante, Peter Wright, then picked up a 7-3 win over Wes Newton, who might just have a long few months ahead of him. Then the fireworks began with Barney averaging 108.52 in a 7-2 win over the in-form Gary Anderson, who averaged 100.71 in defeat. Then you might have heard that Michael van Gerwen whitewashed Phil Taylor, averaging 109.59. Adrian Lewis rounded off the night with an easy 7-1 win over Simon Whitlock, the Aussie never in contention.
Tonight, Wes Newton has another tough battle on his hands against Barney, the two Premier League Darts novices, Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright face off, Week One losers Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock look to get a win on the board, and then it’s Lewis versus Taylor and finally Michael van Gerwen takes on Robert Thornton. All-in-all, a mouthwatering line-up, and Wright versus Chisnall could be the sleeper of the night.
First of all, every week the bookies put up prices for the night of darts, the most notable being Players To Score Most 180s. This is a great market, and Barney was the Week One winner. Tonight, he’s capable of doing it again and he’s good value to do so.
Raymond van Barneveld to score most 180s tonight Best price 7/1 (Boylesports)
Recommend: 1 unit.
Wes Newton vs Raymond van Barneveld.
Last week, Barney did it all, the big average, 70% checkout and two 100+ finishes. Newton’s 93.75 and 23% finishing was nothing special and it was what we’ve come to expect from Newton. The gulf in class is evident, but the one worry here is that Barney was playing in the Dutch Masters qualifying on Tuesday (losing in the final round), so although his eye will be in, the travel might be an issue – yes, it’s Holland to Bournemouth, but it’s not the ideal prep. That being said, Barney has been in good form of late, and should have more than enough to see off the outclassed Newton, and he’s a huge price to do so.
Raymond van Barneveld -2.5 to beat Wes Newton: Best price 21/20 (Sporting Bet)
Recommend: 2 units.
Dave Chisnall vs Peter Wright.
Two Premier League debutants, and two winners last week. Wright fired in a 97.53, Chisnall a 93.87. Chisnall’s biggest out was a 92, Wright’s a 75. 58% finishing for Wright, 44% for Chisnall. Not much in it, but last week goes to Wright as he did out perform Chisnall in two out of three key areas. Bookies have Wright the odds-on favourite, and I can understand why, but Chisnall isn’t to be underestimated. Chisnall isn’t going to go down quietly, and I think we could end up with a draw here, as the stats from last week do put them close, and Chisnall’s power-scoring does make him a hard man to break should he get his eye in.
Dave Chisnall to draw with Peter Wright Best price 4/1 (Various)
Recommend: 1 units.
Gary Anderson vs Simon Whitlock
Two men who were on the end of crushing defeats last week face off, but it was a tale of two performances. Anderson averaged over 100, while Whitlock struggled to get near 90 (86.31). Whitlock’s confidence hasn’t been great recently, and I don’t expect it to get much better tonight, as Anderson is a man in form, Barney having to average 108 to crush him is proof. This is the night for Anderson to get his first points on the board, and a shade of odds-against is good enough for us.
Gary Anderson to beat Simon Whitlock Best price 6/5 (Stan James)
Recommend: 2 units.
Adrian Lewis vs Phil Taylor.
Both men averaged a shade over 99 last week, but it was two contrasting results. Lewis easily swept past Simon Whitlock 7-1, Phil Taylor didn’t even win a leg. That being said, Taylor won the UK Open Qualifier on Sunday, hitting two 9-darters in the process, and who did he beat in the final? Adrian Lewis. Both men are going to be confident going in, and I can see Taylor’s confidence running over into tonight’s match. Hell, we might even see another 9-darter, as I think Taylor might just be that confident, and he seems happier than last week.
Phil Taylor to beat Adrian Lewis Best price 11/10 (Various)
Recommend: 2 units.
Robert Thornton vs Michael van Gerwen
This is a match Michael van Gerwen shouldn’t lose. If he plays the same as last week, it’s another huge win, as Thornton won’t be able to keep up. Thornton’s 93.28 from last week wouldn’t have got him near Van Gerwen, and although the Scotsman is capable of the big averages, he shouldn’t have enough to win here. But the one area he should excel is the 180s – he hits them for fun, throwing garbage in between sometimes. He hit 4 last week, and he should be good for around the same again. MvG, while sometimes prolific, is far happier switching for the 177s, or the 174s, and Thornton isn’t one for the covers. Thornton’s a huge price for most 180s in the match, he should be shorter.
Robert Thornton to score more 180s than Michael van Gerwen Best price 13/8 (Paddy Power)
Recommend: 1.5 units.
That’s it for the second week of the 2014 Premier League Darts season. We’ll be back next week with more Premium Picks.
