Phil Taylor to beat Jelle Klaasen –
Phil Taylor produced his best performance of the Premier League season so far last week to upset Peter Wright and end a run of four games without a win.
Now only two points off second, a Judgement Night game against Jelle Klaasen offers a perfect opportunity for The Power to force his way back into the top four before the second stage of the competition gets under way.
Like Kim Huybrechts, Klaasen’s fate has already been sealed, largely due to his recurring struggle with tendonitis that has seen him average under 90 in each of the last two weeks.
And despite reaching the semis of the German Darts Championship, The Cobra is unlikely to muster much resistance in Cardiff against an opponent who has beaten him in 13 of 16 attempts.
Taylor’s scoring improved noticeably last week – five 180s was his highest tally of the season so far – and, still able to rely upon his finishing, shouldn’t let us down here.
Gary Anderson to beat Adrian Lewis –
Adrian Lewis’ victory over Jelle Klaasen last week was his third on the bounce but, having averaged 84.39 and got away with six missed darts at double in the final leg, his performance was far from convincing.
Gary Anderson, on the other hand, moved above Jackpot in the table on leg difference thanks to a thumping victory over Kim Huybrechts.
The Flying Scotsman hit a hat-trick of 100+ checkouts in that match – taking his total tally to 10, the highest in the tournament – so will be well-poised to take advantage of even the smallest slip-ups.
This pair have always shared an even head-to-head record, though it is Anderson has won seven of their last nine encounters.
And having won four of their last five Premier League matches to boot, the Scotsman is a safe bet to continue that recent dominance in Cardiff.
Raymond van Barneveld to beat James Wade –
Raymond van Barneveld proved his dismantling of Gary Anderson in Rotterdam was no one-off last week by ending Michael van Gerwen’s 44-match unbeaten run on television just seven days later.
And having taken four points off the top two players in the world during the last fortnight, Barney is rightly favourite to strengthen his top-four spot against James Wade on Thursday.
The Dutchman has been scintillating of late, with his tournament-high tally of 34 maximums nearly three times as many as the 13 mustered by Wade.
The Machine’s second-round exit in the German Darts Championship, meanwhile, was the earliest of any Premier League player taking part.
Wade has only lost one of his last nine matches against Van Barneveld in this competition but, with nothing to choose between them in all competitions over the years, it is the Dutchman’s superior form that should carry him home here.
Michael van Gerwen to beat Dave Chisnall –
Dave Chisnall will have been relieved to see his place in the Premier League beyond Judgement Night guaranteed last week while being forced to watch from home.
He will be hard-pressed, though, to make much of impression between now and the O2.
Despite maintaining his reputation for powerful scoring, Chizzy’s overall average is currently the second-lowest in the competition – showing just how badly his finishing has let him down.
Van Gerwen, however, has recorded a three-figure average in every game so far and also boasts the tournament’s joint-highest checkout percentage.
Even after last week’s defeat, the world No. 1 remains the player to beat, and, having won his last 13 matches in a row against Chisnall, he should have no issue whatsoever in cementing his place at the top of the table on Thursday.
Visit Betway for all the latest darts odds and offers.
