Premier League Darts Night 10: Wade and Taylor take to the oche twice
Published:
Holly Thackeray | April 6, 2016
Premier League Darts 2016
- Night 10: Phase two, round one
- Thursday, April 7th
- Session from: 19:15-22:30 BST
- Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
- Live on Sky Sports 2
Judgement Night survivors return for Sheffield scrap
Having been ruthlessly whittled down from 10 to a remaining eight arrowsmiths on Judgement Night, the survivors regroup to begin Premier League Darts’ second phase – with the aim to qualify for the grande finale at the O2 Arena come May 19th.
Only four from our excellent octet can make it to the play-offs, so here is where it heats up! Pre-Premier League dark horse Dave Chisnall and new boy Michael Smith suffered relegation last time out, meaning the baton falls to Phil Taylor and James Wade to play twice each this week.
The Power, currently perched a point ahead at the summit, first contests world champ Gary Anderson, before closing the curtain on Sheffield with a Wade wrangle. Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen seeks to end a sequence of three draws by bettering Robert Thornton, who narrowly escaped elimination last week…
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
After leading Mighty Mike for much of his last match, Van Barneveld undoubtedly has the class to see off The Machine – but does he still possess the killer instinct?
Wade (11/8 to win) has already capitalised on a capitulation from the Hague-born cult hero, beating Barney 5-7 back in Nottingham, and is 8/1 to achieve victory by the same scoreline.
These pair tend to have feisty spats, however, so Van Barneveld’s hackles could be raised for his rival, with the veteran also 11/8 to come away with crucial spoils as he seeks to stop the pack breaking away.
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
Anderson (6/4 to win) is ripe from thrashing three opponents in a row before drawing against Wade, but the last time he lost in the league? Versus The Power, who is 5/4 to edge his peer once again.
It is usually a close-run rumble between the twosome, so with the Scot just one point behind The Power in the standings, there are also odds of 10/3 for a draw. While, as Anderson clocked most maximums up in Cardiff, customers can back him at 4/5 to do so again.
Robert Thornton v Michael van Gerwen
Thornton, only on four points, looks an ideal opponent against which Van Gerwen can rectify that run then, and put pressure on The Power above. MvG is odds-on at 1/6 to do just that, though it is worth remembering his Scottish foe can be a banana skin.
As the deadly Dutchman’s kryptonite in the 2015 World Grand Prix final and having already held Mighty Mike to a Premier League draw, The Thorn is 8/1 to force this to end evenly again.
Though, MvG is never more dangerous than when rattled, so is best value at 5/4 to be King of the Oche (to win match, most 180s and highest checkout. If any of the markets are tied, bets will be settled as losers).
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
Lewis has had most luck, winning four of the last five, and is 11/8 to see off the charismatic Scot once more. Wright, though, knows he needs to close the two point gap between them, and is the same price as his familiar foe for victory.
Still, Jackpot had the measure of Wright in their earlier Premier League meeting, and seems to have the knack of picking up points even when not playing well, so looks worthy at 6/5 to score most 180s.
Phil Taylor v James Wade
The Power is in pole position heading into this dust-up, having demolished his younger counterpart 1-7 in both of their last Premier League battles. Such a scoreline is unlikely to strike for a third time, but Taylor is duly 8/13 to triumph.
In fact, The Machine has beaten Taylor just twice in 18 Premier League encounters, so looks unlikely at 3/1 for a famous win here.
Though, there could be value in hedging your bets, with a 6/5 price for a double chance of Wade to win or a draw.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Back Wade at 8/1 to narrowly beat Barney by 7-5 again.
