It is onto week six of 2013 Premier League darts betting as the roadshow hits Manchester. All unbeaten records tumbled last week in some thrilling action, with Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor both taking their first losses of the season. It has left Raymond van Barneveld at the top of the pile, while relegation worries are becoming a big issue for Adrian Lewis and Wes Newton.
Michael van Gerwen v Wes Newton
Surprisingly the Dutchman van Gerwen suffered a defeat last week at the hands of Adrian Lewis. Going into the match, Van Gerwen was unbeaten over his first four matches, and Lewis hadn’t picked up a win. However, the match went against the form but this could be a good match for Van Gerwen to bounce back in. Wes Newton needs a win to ease some relegation worries, as after the first nine rounds, the bottom two in the table drop out of the competition. Newton is second bottom heading into this week’s action. There’s just not quite enough scoring power from him to look likely to challenge. Would back Van Gerwen to get back to winning ways.
Van Gerwen 4/9, Draw 5/1, Newton 5/1
Adrian Lewis v Gary Anderson
There was a bit of a surprise win for Adrian Lewis last win, as he finally got his first win of the season on the board. He beat the previously unbeaten Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in Nottingham, to at least give him something to aim at. He is still bottom of the table and could face relegation if he doesn’t follow up that win. There just hasn’t been much consistency or power from the two time world champion this season. This has the making of a pretty tight match. Anderson took a big win over Phil taylor last week in Nottingham and no-one saw that coming. Anderson had taken just one win from his first four matches prior to clashing with Taylor last week. That was a big result for the Scot and much needed as it pulled him out of the relegation zone. Lewis is the heavier scorer, and would back the Englishman.
13/10, Draw 7/2, Anderson 7/4
Simon Whitlock v James Wade
Australia’s Simon Whitlock rediscovered his winning touch last week after suffering three defeats on the bounce. Expected a little better from the Wizard early in the season but hasn’t quite been at the races. His scoring hasn’t been all that bad, but has looked a little shy of his finishing best. Still, a good battler and he took a win last week to take an important win over Wes Newton. However, Wade is a man in good form at the moment and crushed Robert Thornton 71 last week. There has just been one defeat on the season for Wade so far, and he has taken a well earned draw against Phil Taylor already this season. Seems to be relaxed and enjoying himself at the moment as is the stronger of the two.
7/4, Draw 7/2, Wade 13/10
Raymond van Barneveld v Robert Thornton
Barneveld continued his great start to the new season and has now recorded four wins from his first five matches after beating Andy Hamilton last week. That put the Dutchman at the top of the table and looks pretty consistent. His three dart average is right up there, second only to that of Phil Taylor’s, and is looking pretty focused. He has won his last two in a row now and given the hammering that Thornton took last week, Barneveld should be favourite. Scotland’s Thornton, in his debut Premier League season, made a pretty solid start to things, going unbeaten through his opening four matches. He couldn’t follow it up last week as he met an inspired James Wade. Could have just been an anomaly given how well Thorton has played so far, but this is going to be a tough match in which to discover a winning touch. Would edge Barneveld in a close match.
Van Barneveld 8/11, Draw 9/2, Thornton 3/1
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
Well, no-one really saw the defeat coming last week that The Power suffered at the hands of Gary Anderson. Taylor only managed a 97 three dart average, not great for him at all, as Anderson got the better of him. You rarely see Taylor losing in this format, so it will be a good test to see how he responds. The defeat wasn’t the end of the world for him, and he is expected to go and beat Andy Hamilton this week. Hamilton has had his moments, taking a couple of wins, but he is also prone to heavy defeats. The power has to be with Taylor on this one, he should bounce back.
Taylor 4/11, Draw 11/2, Hamilton 28/5
Online bookmaker Paddy Power are offering some good coverage for your Premier League darts betting. If any of Thursday’s matches end in a draw then the bookie will refund all losing Correct Score bets on the match. The maximum coverage for the Premier League darts betting promotion is up to £100. Online bookmaker Paddy Power offer up to a free £50 bet for new customers registering an account with them.
