There are just four matches remaining now until the knock-out stage of the 2012 Premier League darts betting season. That means there is a maximum of eight points up for grabs remaining for the players. It also means that Phil The Power Taylor will confirm winning the league stage if he wins again this week. It is a done deal already really, because in order for him not to win the league, he would have to lose all of his remaining games, and have Simon Whitlock win all of his. It’s not going to happen, so congratulations Phil Taylor. Unofficially. Anyway, the Premier League season doesn’t end at the conclusion of the league matches, as the top four move on to contest the knock-out stage on finals night. So it is the race for the top four which is proving to be once again, far more interesting than Taylor’s dominance.
Standings: Taylor 19pts, Whitlock 12pts, Wade 10pts, Barneveld 10pts, Lewis 9pts, Anderson 7, Hamilton 7, Painter 6pts
Raymond van Barneveld v Simon Whitlock
Once against Raymond van Barneveld came unstuck against Phil Taylor last week. Once again, Barney was scoring well, averaging just over one hundred with his three dart average. Once again it wasn’t enough to take down Taylor, who ran away with an 8-3 victory Barneveld is the league’s second highest scorer this season, but his form has still been a bit patchy. This is now a major match up against Whitlock, because Barney needs the win to pull level, or else he could hand second spot to the Aussie and leave himself in a race to claim one of the remaining two spots. Simon Whitlock continued his solid season, backing up an 8-2 win over defending champion Gary Anderson in the previous week, with an 8-5 win over Kevin The Artist Painter. These two produced a great draw on the first week of the new season. Would expect it to be close, but the Wizard is edging things at the moment.
Barneveld 13/10, Draw 9/2, Whitlock 11/8 at Bet365
Gary Anderson v Kevin Painter
Defending champion Gary Anderson managed to only pick up one point from a double header last week in Sheffield. He has only managed seven points for the season and is looking well below par. Probably not that interested, his season being interrupted by the passing away of his father. So he is not a strong player to back at the moment. Anderson lost against Painter on the first week of the new season, in a big shock result really. Even though Painter is bottom of the league and on a five match losing streak, he has actually been decently competitive. Wouldn’t be too surprised to see him turn up and take down a lack lustre Anderson, even though he will be underdog to do so.
Anderson 4/5, Draw 9/2, Painter 5/2 at SkyBet
James Wade v Andy Hamilton
Big kudos went to James Wade last week, as he demolished Gary Anderson 8-3 in the opening match of the night. He needed that bounce back win after losing out against Adrian Lewis the week before, and that kept Wade on track for a top four spot. Wade has been one of the better players, unquestionably, over the second half of the season, and while he went down 8-5 against Hamilton in week one, he looks in good enough nick to turn that around. Andy Hamilton has found the going tough in his first Premier League season, but he earned a valuable point last week against Gary Anderson. Hamilton mathematically could still play his way into contention for a top four spot, especially if he picks up a win here. However, the wins have been at a premium for him, and the good form of Wade should decide this match.
Wade 4/6, Draw 11/2, Hamilton 10/3 at Paddy Power
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
The showcase finale for the night in Bournemouth, the clash between Phil The Power Taylor and the double world champion Adrian Lewis. These two produced a remarkable 7-7 draw on the first night of the new season, as Lewis had Taylor on the ropes, until The Power blitzed back from 5-0 and then 6-1 down in the match to earn a draw. That was a remarkable outcome in one of the greatest Premier League darts matches ever. Hopefully we will get to see the same level of excitement again this week. Taylor’s three dart average on that night was a remarkable 112, and he has a 109 three dart average for the season. Adrian Lewis’s? 96. That is the difference, even though Lewis is a double World Champion. Lewis didn’t’ play last week, and although he has won his last three matches now, up until then, he was bumbling along in some pretty indifferent form. Can Lewis respond with a win over his mentor? He really needs too if he is going to get into the frame for the top four. But as always, going against Taylor is a pretty tough thing to do.
Taylor 2/5, Draw 13/2, Lewis 5/1 at Bet365
2012 Premier League Darts Betting Outright Winner
Taylor ½, Wade 8/1, Whitlock 8/1, Lewis 9/1, Barneveld 10/1, Anderson 33/1 at Bet365
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