Anderson to Continue Winning Run in Premier League

It’s judgement night in the Premier League and when the dust has settled after Thursday’s action, two players will be eliminated from the competition as we enter the second stage of the season.

Robert Thornton was the big winner last week with three points from a tense victory over Michael Smith and a very creditable draw with World number one Michael van Gerwen. Thornton was staring into the abyss after amassing just one point from his previous six Premier League but he produced two excellent displays on the night to snatch a hard-fought 7-5 victory from Michael Smith, and hold van Gerwen to a 6-6 draw.

Phil Taylor and Peter Wright also fought out a draw for a point apiece, although Taylor was the more disappointed of the pair as he missed three match darts before Wright pulled out a superb 111 finish to comeback to 6-5, and subsequently went on to win the final leg to grab the draw. Adrian Lewis moved into the top four at the expense of James Wade by beating Raymond van Barneveld 7-5, while Gary Anderson continued his fine form with a sixth Premier League victory in a row, beating Dave Chisnall 7-4.

Judgement Night Elimination Battle

All of that means that it’s two from three in this week’s battle to avoid elimination from the league, with Chisnall, Thornton and Smith fighting it out to survive. Chisnall and Smith share last place in the Premier League table with three points, although Chizzy has the vastly superior leg difference. Thornton is just one point ahead on four, and all three players face do-or-die matches this week. Chisnall takes on Peter Wright, Smith faces a very tough match against Phil Taylor, and Thornton has an equally tough encounter with Adrian Lewis.

We’re only focusing on one of those matches and it’s the one between Smith and Taylor where we think the newcomer to the Premier League is set for a miserable night against the multiple champion. Gary Anderson is fancied to continue his excellent run when he takes on James Wade, while Michael van Gerwen also makes plenty of appeal in his clash with fellow Dutchman van Barneveld.

James Wade v Gary Anderson

Gary Anderson is rated a 1.64Bet €100 to win €16416/25Bet £100 to win £164-156Bet $100 to win $1640.64Bet HK$100 to win HK$164-1.56Bet Rp100 to win Rp1640.6400Bet RM100 to win RM164  chance with Marathonbet, and he’s worth supporting to press his claims at the top of the league.

It’s six wins on the trot for the reigning world champion after a slow start to the season, and last week saw him draw level on 12 points with Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen at the top of the table. He was always comfortable in last week’s 7-4 win against Chisnall, and never looked back after taking the first two legs of the match. Having got the better of two very good players in Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright in the previous week’s double-header he’s bang in form and full of confidence.

James Wade didn’t have a fixture last week after doubling up earlier in the season in Thornton’s absence, but he sits comfortably in 5th place in the league with 10 points. He is assured of a place in the second stage of the season and has only been beaten three times this term – by Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright. The left-hander is proving to be a strong contender in this year’s tournament but he would have to be at his very best after a week off to get near Anderson in this kind of form.

Michael Smith v Phil Taylor

Michael Smith couldn’t have a worse fixture in which to fight for Premier League survival, but the Power will show no leniency and we think Phil Taylor – 2.5 legs is a decent bet at 1.73Bet €100 to win €17373/100Bet £100 to win £173-137Bet $100 to win $1730.73Bet HK$100 to win HK$173-1.37Bet Rp100 to win Rp1730.7300Bet RM100 to win RM173  with 888Sport and Unibet

Taylor is joint top of the leaderboard with Michael van Gerwen and although he was pleased with a point against the Dutchman the week before last, he admitted that he was disappointed to drop a point to Peter Wright last week. The Stoke ace had three match darts with the game poised at 6-5 but couldn’t take advantage as Wright battled back. He should make no such mistakes this week and he is expected to gain a relatively comfortable win against Michael Smith, who will have learned a great deal from his debut season in the Premier League. There’s sure to be more to come from the young player in the future, but this is a tough assignment.

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen

Finally we’re also backing Michael van Gerwen to overcome a – 2.5 leg handicap when he takes on Raymond van Barneveld, with the 1.57Bet €100 to win €15757/100Bet £100 to win £157-175Bet $100 to win $1570.57Bet HK$100 to win HK$157-1.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp1570.5700Bet RM100 to win RM157  on offer with Bet365, Paddy Power and Coral more than acceptable.

Like Taylor, van Gerwen has also drawn two in a row with last week’s 6-6 with Robert Thornton coming as a surprise to all. MVG admitted that he’d been ill during the week, but take nothing away from Thornton who played very well. After breaking the TV three-dart average record a few weeks back, van Gerwen’s 97.57 average in that match shows how far below his recent level he played, and he is fancied to come back out of the blocks firing this week as he looks to make up for the sub-par performance.

Tips Summary

Gary Anderson to beat James Wade
Thursday 31st March, 19:00 GMT Start
Odds: 1.64Bet €100 to win €16416/25Bet £100 to win £164-156Bet $100 to win $1640.64Bet HK$100 to win HK$164-1.56Bet Rp100 to win Rp1640.6400Bet RM100 to win RM164

Phil Taylor – 2.5 to beat Michael Smith
Thursday 31st March, 19:00 GMT Start
Odds: 1.73Bet €100 to win €17373/100Bet £100 to win £173-137Bet $100 to win $1730.73Bet HK$100 to win HK$173-1.37Bet Rp100 to win Rp1730.7300Bet RM100 to win RM173

Michael van Gerwen – 2.5 to beat Raymond van Barneveld
Thursday 31st March, 19:00 GMT Start
Odds: 1.57Bet €100 to win €15757/100Bet £100 to win £157-175Bet $100 to win $1570.57Bet HK$100 to win HK$157-1.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp1570.5700Bet RM100 to win RM157