Premier League Darts Night 15: Taylor and MvG tussle to be top in Rotterdam
Published:
Holly Thackeray | May 10, 2016
Premier League Darts 2016
- Night 15: Phase two, round six
- Thursday, May 12th
- Session from: 19:15-22:30 BST
- Ahoy Rotterdam, Rotterdam
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Ahoy there! Penultimate week of Premier League darts
Rotterdam is the last stop but one, as Premier League Darts prepares for play-offs week at the O2 Arena, but first the final four semi-finalists must be confirmed.
While fierce rivals Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen are already sure of their spots, the darting duo’s timely Netherlands tussle will settle who tops the table – with a £25k prize pot for the arrowsmith who ranks first at this stage of the regular season.
As the Premier League arrives in the Netherlands for the first time in its 11-year stretch, the Ahoy Rotterdam arena oche has much more at stake than just winners spoils.
Adrian Lewis still holds onto the last play-off position, but must fend off world champion and already qualified Gary Anderson to make it to London, with resurgent Peter Wright breathing down his neck. Snakebite himself takes on Dutch darting hero Raymond van Barneveld in front of his compatriot crowd, while Robert Thornton and James Wade open the evening’s festivities.
Robert Thornton v James Wade
The Thorn is good value at 13/5 to be stirred by the occasion, though the feisty Scot remains bottom of the pile since eliminations week with just six points upon his much-awaited Premier League return.
Former winner Wade (odds-on at 4/6) has almost double the amount of victories over his opponent, however, winning 13 of 20 previous head-to-heads. Though the best bet may be for The Machine and Thornton to draw for most maximums (7/2) on the night, with Wade having currently clocked up just one more 180 than his foe this term.
Peter Wright v Raymond van Barneveld
Punters should pounce and make the most of it then, as both Wright and Van Barneveld have plenty of motive to be at their best.
It’s draws that have undone Mohawk marksman Wright and the Scot has split the spoils with Barney twice before, with a third a 7/2 shout. This is a must-win for Snakebite, however, as he sits one point adrift of fourth-placed Jackpot with two up for grabs in Rotterdam.
Barney’s Army will be having a field day on home turf, however, as the Dutchman is 15/8 for a last tungsten triumph of the Premier League term. Snakebite has had the better of their last three battles though and is 7/1 for a victorious repeat of the 7-5 scoreline from their previous scuffle.
Alternatively, wily Wright is also available at 5/1 to be the player to score most 180s in Rotterdam, having notched the most in both of the past two matchweeks.
Adrian Lewis v Gary Anderson
With his back against the wall, the Englishman is 12/5 to defeat match favourite and reigning Premier League champion The Flying Scotsman (8/11), with even-money on a double chance for a Jackpot victory or draw.
Anderson has a cool head for the big occasion, however, and despite having already cemented a semi-finals spot will want to showcase his talents to the Dutch crowd, with Lewis having lost all of his last four Premier League fixtures with the world champ.
The Flying Scotsman, then, looks an intriguing wager to steam into the semi-finals by being crowned King of the Oche at 3/1 (to win match, most 180s and highest checkout. If any of the markets are tied, bets will be settled as losers).
Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen
Last time out in Manchester, The Power and MvG surged to emphatic wins, both registering excellent averages of over 103, making this encounter 9/4 to be the match that produces the highest checkout in Coral’s marvellous week 15 specials.
Punters can also plump odds of 15/8 for this to be the wrangle with most 180s on the night, though Mighty Mike has the 8/13 advantage for victory with the backing of a Dutch crowd.
“I want to win in front of my home crowd next week and to finish at the top of the table. I want to play well and I’m ready to rumble in Ahoy,” Van Gerwen told press after dispatching fellow Dutchman Barney last week. MvG almost nabbed a nine-dart finish then and a perfect leg is 14/1 to occur in this encounter.
While Taylor also stated: “Me and Michael are going to have a cracker next week…I set my sights on the bonus for finishing top, and it’s a massive incentive.”
The Englishman is 3/1 to beat the world number one, though the all-time great has not managed to topple Van Gerwen in any of his last five attempts.
Related
Coral’s top tip: With such tungsten quality on show, back Taylor and MvG’s tussle at 15/8 to be the match with most maximums on the night.
