Premier League Darts Night 13: Scots Snakebite and Anderson square-up
Published:
Holly Thackeray | April 26, 2016
Premier League Darts 2016
- Night 13: Phase two, round four
- Thursday, April 28th
- Session from: 19:15-22:30 BST
- Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Fray for top four and semi-final spots intensifies with Birmingham battles
With just three riveting rounds left to go in phase two of this year’s Premier League Darts, viewers will start to see what surprises our remaining oche protagonists can spring with semi-finals spots at stake as play-off week fast approaches.
In Thursday night’s fixtures, with table-topper Phil Taylor having already secured his spot at the O2 Arena, recent birthday boy Michael van Gerwen will be seeking to follow suit and qualify, but must find a way past James Wade, who is still in the hunt for a top four finish himself.
While, in the remaining Birmingham battles, Gary Anderson will appear twice, first taking on unpredictable Raymond van Barneveld before bringing down the curtain with an all-tartan bout against fellow Scot Peter Wright. Snakebite is also set for a pair of duels, and must also take on Taylor as he strives to stay in semi-final contention, with Adrian Lewis similarly looking to sink rock-bottom Robert Thornton.
It certainly looks set to be a scintillating evening, so find out our thoughts and top tips below…
Peter Wright v Phil Taylor
It could be double darting trouble for Wright on the night, with Taylor odds-on 8/15 favourite to snatch two points and now 3/1 with Coral to claim a seventh Premier League title.
Snakebite has certainly gone off the boil and looks likely to miss out on competing for the crown, but is 4/1 to pick up a point after forcing a draw in his last electric meeting with The Power. Better value can be found on Taylor, meanwhile, at 13/8 for most maximums, or 4/1 for the all-time great 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).
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Customers saw last week just what the mighty Dutch dartsman is capable of when he is down but not out, as Van Barneveld rose to thrash Lewis 7-4, though Anderson is an entirely different challenge, with the Flying Scotsman having averaged over 103 in both the past matchweeks.
The world champ has gotten the better of Barney in all of their last four meetings, though, so seems a fair shout at 8/13 to be superior again, and even-money to claim the first leg spoils. If you don’t want to risk counting evergreen oche titan Van Barneveld out though, bets can be hedged at 6/5 with a double chance for a draw or Barney triumph.
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton
With Wade breathing down his neck and Wright with an outing in hand, Lewis is still odds-on at 8/15 to keep ahead of the chasing pack with a win, and 9/2 to do so by a repeat of the 7-4 scoreline in his favour from their last fixture encounter. His hefty-head-to-head record of 19-4 suggests victory should be on the cards.
James Wade v Michael van Gerwen
Van Gerwen, who romped to wins over Jackpot and Snakebite in Bournemouth, has bested The Machine 17 times to 12, and memorably drubbed his fellow dartsman in a 7-0 whitewashing last term.
However, it is Wade (6/1 to win) who has had the rub of the green in his last two grapples with world number one Van Gerwen (2/7), ending a stretch of nine defeats with back-to-back successes against this most formidable of opponents in the Perth Masters and earlier in the Premier League.
Can The Machine pull off another shock versus Mighty Mike? It remains to be seen, but real value can be found in this tungsten tussle, with several superb week 13 specials up for grabs with Coral. Punters can pick this battle at 3/1 to be the match with the highest checkout on the night. Considering MvG’s prowess in particular in that department it sure is tempting.
Peter Wright v Gary Anderson
The Flying Scotsman is understandably 4/6 match favourite to prove venomous to Snakebite with Anderson having edged their earlier Premier League battle 7-5 (a scoreline which is 9/2 to occur again).
It should be a dazzling darts contest between compatriots, with another enticing special on offer of 11/4 for this to be the match with most maximums. Anderson has notched most 180s on two of the past four weeks, so this could prove prudent!
Related
Coral’s top tip: The 3/1 price for Wade v Van Gerwen to be the match with the highest checkout is too tasty to miss.
