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September7September 7, 2017

Michael van Gerwen Wins Fourth Straight Dutch Darts Masters

Michael van Gerwen returned to action last weekend and instantly was in familiar territory after claiming his fourth successive Dutch Darts Masters. Playing back in his homeland after taking a month off, Mighty Mike beat English veteran Steve Beaton in a brilliant 6-1 display in Sunday’s final at the MECC in Maastricht.

This was the fourth European Tour title of the year for the world number one who saw off Jeffrey de Zwaan, Kyle Anderson, Daryl Gurney and Michael Smith in route to the final.

Van Gerwen proves too much for Beaton

For 53-year-old Beaton, participation came through the UK qualifiers, where he made the most of things once in Holland. Victories over German youngsters Nico Blum and Martin Schindler, plus impressive wins over third seed Mensur Suljovic and second seed Peter Wright helped the former BDO world number one come close to replicating the golden years.

Alas, the Bronzed Adonis was unable to see off the threat presented by Van Gerwen as the Dutchman’s class shone through immediately, opening up a 2-0 lead courtesy of an 80-dart finish, followed by a 13-darter. A few rounds later, Beaton’s throw was broken by MVG’s 12-darter. That was followed up by a double putting the Dutchman up 5-1 before hitting his third 180 of the night plus a final 77 to record a definitive win.

German Darts betting tips

Michael van Gerwen’s next World Series of Darts circuit appearance will be at the German Darts Masters in Dusseldorf running between the 20th – 21st of October. Also in Germany this weekend, we will see the inaugural German Darts Grand Prix, which will be taking place from September 8-10 in Mannheim.

World Champion Michael van Gerwen will be the hot favourite to win what would be his 12th tournament of the season. At 4/6, he can be picked up at Betway, and there will no better value anywhere else. Certainly, the other darters on the circuit will not be pleased to see the return of Mighty Mike.

UK Open champion Peter Wright should be the closest rival to the Dutchman. Snakebite, this year’s nearly man — who was runner-up in both the Premier League and World Matchplay — is available at 5/1 with Bet365. At 18/1, Dave Chisnall is also well worth a look at Bet365, who are offering the same price for Austria’s Mensur Suljovic.

Next are longshots Michael Smith at 25/1 and a reasonable 40/1 at Bet365 for Simon Whitlock. But it’s likely all chum with a refreshed MVG in the 48-man field who will feel — with more than enough justification — that victory is a near certainty.

September1September 1, 2017

Barney Beaten By The Flying Scotsman In Perth

By Peter FryersIn

Darts Betting Tips

Gary Anderson put his poor form behind him to take down Perth Darts Masters on Sunday, his second World Series of Darts title of the season following his win in Dubai back in May. Beating Raymond van Barneveld 11-7, the Flying Scotsman was in imperious form, averaging almost 104 and landing seven 180s.

Anderson victorious while Van Barneveld falls short

Anderson, who is 9/2 with Skybet & bet365 to win next month’s Champions League of Darts, had earlier seen off James Wade 11-9 in the semi-finals before meeting with Barney in the final, his first Masters final in the last five stages.

With Van Barneveld’s loss in Perth, in 25 attempts he has yet to earn a World Series crown or win an individual PDC title since the Hong Kong Masters in 2015. He was, however, responsible for eliminating Phil Taylor, as well as Corey Cadby, playing on home soil, and Daryl Gurney in the semi-finals.

In a high quality final, Barney himself averaged 101.87, striking three 180s and a bullseye finish which closed the leg gap at 7-6 before Anderson upped his game significantly to storm the following five legs and claim the fifth World Series trophy of his career.

Next up: Dutch Masters

This week, it would have been Barney’s turn to play on home soil as the action, which takes place from September 1-3, heads to the MECC in Maastricht for the Dutch Darts Masters. Despite home advantage, RVB is one of many big hitters sitting this one out.

It goes without saying that Michael van Gerwen, refreshed following a month off, is a favourite at 8/11 with both bet365 and Skybet. Having won the previous three Dutch Masters, the world number one is expected to mark his return by making it four in a row. With no Anderson, Adrian Lewis, RVB or Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright is the second favourite at 5/1, with the same two bookmakers. At a distant third is Daryl Gurney, who can be picked up at 16s, also at Skybet and bet365.

In other news, Germany will host a night of Premier League Darts next year as the PDC continues to take the brand to new lands. This means that the star darters will be touching down in Berlin where, on Thursday February 22, the Mercedes-Benz Arena will host Germany’s first ever DPL night.

The action gets underway on the 1st of February at Dublin’s 3Arena, while Judgement Night will be in Belfast on March 29, with London’s O2 hosting the final on 17th of May.

Premier League Darts dates 2018

Here is a full look ahead to the schedule for 2018:

• Dublin – February 1
• Cardiff – February 8
• Newcastle – February 15
• Berlin – February 22
• Exeter – March 1
• Leeds – March 8
• Nottingham – March 15
• Glasgow – March 22
• Belfast – March 29 (Judgement Night)
• Liverpool – April 5
• Sheffield – April 12
• Rotterdam – April 19
• Manchester – April 26
• Birmingham – May 3
• Aberdeen – May 10
• London – May 17 (Play-offs at the O2 Arena)

August23September 7, 2017

Phil Taylor Beats Peter Wright In Final Of The Melbourne Darts Masters

By Peter FryersIn

Darts Betting Tips

The Power claimed a second tournament win in as many months after beating Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright 11-8 in the final of the inaugural Melbourne Darts Masters last weekend. As the result suggests, the game was not a close one despite Wright holding the world number three spot.

The score was the same result as when the pair met in Blackpool last month. That was the night Taylor won his 16th and final World Matchplay crown, making it quite the farewell season for the Stoke-born legend. With recent results, Taylor is looking like his former self more and more each week, meaning additional trophies between now and the season’s end should not be dismissed.

Taylor strong all weekend

His form was apparent throughout the weekend, first eliminating Aussie star of the future Corey Cadby 10-9 on Saturday before dropping another Aussie, Simon Whitlock, 11-4 at the semi-final stage.

Daryl Gurney had overcome his match with world number two Gary Anderson for a third successive time, met his end when he came up against Peter Wright, who had beaten Michael Smith in the Quarter finals.

It all meant that Wright, the UK Open champion, lined up as the short odds favourite against World Matchplay champion Taylor in the final, which for the first 16 legs was tight enough to read 8-8.

57-year-old Phil Taylor then moved up several gears on Wright, despite Snakebite landing an impressive seven 180s to Taylor’s 0. At 47, the Scotsman is ten years younger than his rival but couldn’t keep up with the pace as Taylor took down the next ten legs straight, averaging 98.88 and achieving a double rate of 40.74% and earning yet another title.

A look ahead to Perth

Taylor is now at a best price of 7/2 at betway to win again this weekend as the action relocates to Perth on Australia’s western coast. Taylor, who has previously won four times in Australia — twice before in Perth and now twice in Melbourne — clearly enjoys taking his game Down Under and with Taylor in such great form has to be in consideration once again.

Beaten Melbourne finalist Peter Wright should again be Taylor’s closest challenger, but his tendency to drop crucial doubles will continue to blight his progress until it’s addressed. Snakebite joins Taylor at 7/2 at betway.

The same bookmaker is also showing a decent 16/1 on Aussie starlet Corey Cadby, while Simon Whitlock, who will receive the benefit of home support, can be picked up for 14’s with Bet365.

The favourite at Bet365 with odds of 5/2 — although heaven knows why — is Gary Anderson, who despite being number two in the world looks increasingly soft at the moment. He has failed to capitalise on the absence of Michael van Gerwen in recent tourneys. Instead, The Power — in his retirement year — has stepped up and in his current form is well worth sticking with again this week.