Wade On Form To Slither Past Snakebite

The players head to Dublin this weekend for the penultimate round of matches before the cut off.

Adrian Lewis vs Dave Chisnall
Of the 17 head-to-head matches between these two players each have won eight and one, in last year’s Premier League, ended in draw. So it is safe to assume that the pair are fairly evenly matched.

However, it is Dave Chisnall that has enjoyed the better Premier League season to date and after seven weeks he sits a comfortable third position in the table on nine points. Adrian Lewis, by contrast, has just five points and currently occupies one of the two relegation spots.

It is, therefore, somewhat surprising to see Jackpot made the 11/10 favourite. And consequently we must conclude that the value is in backing Chizzy at a generous 9/5.

Gary Anderson vs Stephen Bunting
Gary Anderson came within millimetres of what would have been a momentous nine-darter in front of his home fans in Glasgow last weekend. I had anticipated that he might struggle with the pressure on his homecoming as World Champion, but was happy to be proved completely wrong.

Anderson is thriving as the sport’s kingpin and with that win against Kim Huybrechts last week has moved into the top two in the league table.

Available to back at odds of 4/7 this week, take the Scot to extend his dominant 4-2 head-to-head record against Stephen Bunting.

Peter Wright vs James Wade
James Wade would have been slightly disappointed to only take a point from his match with an out-of-form Adrian Lewis last week, but The Machine bounced back with a solid run to the semi finals of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy at the weekend.

Peter Wright was also involved in a 6-6 draw last Thursday (against Bunting), but didn’t have much to shout about in Gibraltar where he made a first round exit.

Most telling, however, is the head-to-head record where Wade has won 10 of 12 meetings including the most recent seven.

Take some of the 23/20 about the Englishman winning this Thursday.

Michael van Gerwen vs Raymond van Barneveld
Barney produced a major shock last week when beating Phil Taylor 7-4, having previously won only one match all season. The Dutchman tends to thrive in front of partisan crowds; the question is can he do it two weeks in a row?

MVG offers a different proposition to The Power, however. After a slight dip in form, due in part to illness, the world number one is back on the winning trail having defeated Chisnall last week then lifting the Gibraltar Darts Trophy at the weekend.

It’s difficult to make a case against Mighty Mike these days, but if anyone can beat him then perhaps it is Barney… in Dublin. The elder statesman is worth a small punt at odds of 7/2 here.

Phil Taylor vs Kim Huybrechts
There’s a bit of needle between these two players and you can be sure that Kim Huybrechts will be using that to his advantage in front of the raucous Dublin crowd this Thursday.

Phil Taylor was rattled by last week’s loss to Barney and although we should expect a response I’m not sure that there is any value in the 1/2 being offered about his winning this match.

The Belgian has yet to beat The Power, but he has pushed him all the way in their last two meetings and most recently at the 2015 World Championships. This could be the night that the tables turn and odds of 19/5 are certainly worth a punt.