In winning on Thursday, Gary “The Flying Scotsman” Anderson joins Peter “Snakebite” Wright and Michael van Gerwen in a guaranteed place at the Betway Darts Premier League finals.
Darts Premier League: The Penultimate Week
Anderson became the third name to secure a spot in next week’s Darts Premier League finals at The O2 in London, with Phil “The Power” Taylor likely to secure the fourth spot after shocking his long-time rival last week.
Gary Anderson vs James Wade
Anderson ran out the 7-3 winner in his match with James Wade last week, hitting an average of 94.32. It was well below his best but still seemingly enough to end Wade’s campaign.
Michael van Gerwen vs Phil Taylor
Mighty Mike suffered a rare defeat at the hands of his great rival and the previous world number one Phil Taylor. Rewinding the clock back, “The Power” treated the Sheffield crowd to an average higher than 100 as he made Mighty Mike rue a wealth of missed doubles.
Taylor, now two points clear of fifth-placed Dave Chisnall, looks the favourite to occupy the fourth and final playoff place in London next week.
Dave Chisnall vs Raymond van Barneveld
Chisnall looked down and out a month ago but a fine run of form has remarkably pushed him into contention, even if it seems that things have been left a little too late.
His hand was further strengthened by a brilliant 7-5 win against Raymond van Barneveld, who is now officially out of the running and joins the rest of the eliminated. Chizzy landed a 109.36 average, by far the highest of the night’s performers and certainly more than Barney’s respectable 100.65.
Adrian Jackpot Lewis vs Peter Wright
Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis was another also-ran; his remote chances were ended easily by Peter Wright in a 7-2 win that puts the Scotsman within one point of MVG at the summit. He’s well in with a shout of winning the £25,000 league leaders’ bonus.
Darts Premier League pre-final betting tips
The big interest for this week’s final round before the playoffs lies in the qualification battle between Phil Taylor and Dave Chisnall.
Dave Chisnall vs James Wade
The latter of the two competing for London spot is the first out in Aberdeen this week in a match against James Wade for whom the game is nothing but a dead rubber. With that in mind, it would be wise to bet on Chizzy.
Phil Taylor vs Adrian Lewis
That match precedes Taylor’s all-Stoke battle with Adrian Lewis where again only one has it all to play for. Again, it’s worth backing Taylor who, in his retirement year, holds a place at the O2 Arena in his hands – although both Lewis and Wade can upset the odds here. A double on both at Bet365 is worth 11.6 to the pound.
Peter Wright vs Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright can take the top spot with a win against Barney in the following match but qualification is already ensured. Assuming this is an exhibition match, try these treble specials, both from SkyBet:
Wright to win the match, hit the outright highest checkout and score more 180s at 7/2, or Barney to do the same at 11/1.
Michael van Gerwen vs Gary Anderson
Finally, the top two players in the world go head-to-head – but both are already looking ahead to next week, with MVG’s motivation stemming from his desire to win and take down the £25,000 league leaders’ bonus.
Given the quality on show in the night’s closer, it would come as no surprise if this was the match that saw the most 180s. Bet365 certainly think so and are laying 4/5 for that to happen.
Darts accumulator tip for Premier League
Following the money in a week of damp squibs, one line on Chizzy, Taylor, Wright and MVG pays out at 9.11 with Betway.
Chizzy incidentally is a 200/1 shot to be the outright tournament winner, also with Betway.
Just thought I’d mention it…