Premier League Darts play-off finals night preview
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After 15 exciting and extraordinary weeks of the 2015 Premier League Darts campaign, play-off finals night is now upon us as the top four stars of the tournament battle it out for title success at the O2 Arena.
It will be the first year since the event’s inception that Phil Taylor will not be taking part, but there is still an all-star cast.
Three of the players, world number one Michael van Gerwen (5/6 odds-on favourite), title holder Raymond van Barneveld (13/2) and world champion Gary Anderson (11/4), have all won this competition before, while Dave Chisnall (5/1) has lit up the league this season.
Here is Coral’s preview for the two semis, which are first to 10 this time, with the victor from each to face off in the final later on in the evening…
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
Due to his experience of winning top titles during his career, most recent the World Championship, 2011 Premier League victor Anderson has been made odds-on 8/13 favourite for this encounter.
However, Chisnall, who came second place in the table and was so close to finishing top as he led 6-5 against Van Gerwen last week, is a highly tempting 13/10 shout to reach the final in his first year in the play-offs.
Those odds are all the more enticing given that he thrashed The Flying Scotsman in both their meetings in the league this year, 7-2 and 7-3, so can be backed at 10/1 to triumph 10-7.
Chizzy also goes into this clash in slightly better form, having won six of his last nine, to Anderson’s three in eight.
The Englishman is somewhat known as a 180 specialist, and managed the highest amount of any other player in the regular season with a whopping 62 from 16 fixtures. He is evens to get the most in this match too.
With the quality set to soar on the night, there are very tempting odds available for there to be a 170 checkout at 7/1 and a nine-darter (the first in the Premier League since 2012) at 18/1.
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
This will arguably be the big battle of the night, though, as two of the biggest names in the sport duel on the oche, and the reigning Netherlands World Cup winners have a very even head-to-head record.
They have each beaten the other this Premier League, with Van Gerwen triumphing 7-2 in Week 8 and Van Barneveld the 7-3 victor in Week 11. It will certainly be an intriguing contest as the former attempts to win back his title from the latter.
Barney (11/4 for victory) and Mighty Mike (2/7 odds-on favourite) also met last year in the final, with The Man getting one over his younger Dutch compatriot 10-6. He is 20/1 to win by that scoreline once more.
Like Chisnall and Anderson, neither Barney nor Van Gerwen have managed maximum checkouts this tournament, but can be backed at 13/2 to produce one in this match.
In terms of nine-darters, the Dutch duo have amassed a combined nine televised perfect legs throughout their esteemed careers (Van Barneveld has two in the Premier League), and there are odds of 14/1 for there to be another in this fixture.
Relive the last leg of the 2014 Premier League Darts final between Van Barneveld and Van Gerwen…
Betting tip: Van Barneveld 10-6 Van Gerwen @ 20/1
