SIX winners out of nine for Michael Day (@daisy8ball) so far in this Premier League Darts season. He's back for more this Thursday.
Michael Van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis | Thursday 20:45 | Sky Sports 1
Last week I backed Michael Van Gerwen's game to have the most 180's and it landed at a nice 13/8. This week I’m going for the double! Van Gerwen is in blistering form at the top of the league with a 100% record and I like getting involved in his matches.
We know when it comes to 180's, the big three in world darts are Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and Van Gerwen, and it’s bingo when two of them meet on stage.
Yes of course all the other Premier League competitors can hit maximums, but not to the same consistency of this trio. It is also favourable that their quick aggressive styles compliment each other, and regardless of other factors in the match their huge scoring generally stays.
Take for instance last week's match between MVG and Ando. Despite relatively poor checkout statistics they still managed to hit nine 180’s in 11 legs.
There is also an ongoing saga between Mighty Mike and Jackpot Lewis – much to the entertainment of the darting public; their encounters are usually high quality affairs.
Looking at the other combinations playing at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on Thursday, this one sticks out in terms of this particular market. They are the top two 180 hitters in the league with 22 between them already (Lewis 12, Van Gerwen 10), and while it's not a compete no-brainer, the stats and figures are staring us in the eyes. We can get 11/8 with Bet365.
Phil Taylor v Peter Wright | Thursday 22:10 | Sky Sports 1
I thought this season's Premier League campaign may be tough for ‘Snakebite’ – and so far I’ve been proved right.
He would have been relieved though to pick up his first point last week in Liverpool after a 6-6 draw with the reigning champion Raymond Van Barneveld…but in reality he was let off the hook. RVB led 5-1 in that one, and although Wright took his opportunities well come the end, he shouldn't have been given a sniff.
It was enough to open his account after previously being smashed 7-1 by Dave Chisnall and Gary Anderson in the opening weeks. He has therefore only won eight legs overall so far.
He now also faces the impending doom of Phil Taylor, who is starting to look ominously strong again. Taylor sits in the play-offs already after consecutive wins against former pupil Adrian Lewis, and last week trouncing Stephen Bunting in front of his home crowd.
He won those games 14-3 on aggregate, and I ‘d expect the 16 time World Champ to plump those figures up even more when the pair clash on Sky Sports.
PT is 2/5 with Boyleports for the match, but looking at more profitable angle I like the handicap market. Taylor conceding 3.5 legs at 6/5 can be picked up with Coral, so the score line has to be 7-3 or better, something which is very achievable in my books.
Wright has only ever beaten the ultimate dartist twice in 13 occasions, although he did get a win and a draw in last years PDL, but that was during a well documented Taylor slump.
It’s totally a different case of affairs this time however. Taylor was victorious at a UK Open qualifier event last weekend, and also comfortably won 10-4 when the pair last met on TV during the Grand Slam in November. The Power is getting back that predatory instinct again.
Best Bets
Michael Van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis – Match With The Most 180's (11/8 Bet365)
Phil Taylor v Peter Wright – Taylor -3.5 (6/5 Coral)
Acca Refund
Place an acca on all five matches on Thursday and if just one leg let's you down, the good people of Betfred will refund you.
