1/2 – Gary Anderson to beat Michael Smith
It is master versus apprentice on Thursday as Gary Anderson takes on his pupil Michael Smith in the evening’s opener.
Both men had disastrous weekends at the UK Open after losing out to massive underdogs in the fourth round, with Anderson’s exit at the hands of qualifier Barry Lynn particularly shocking.
Smith did excellently to pick up his first ever Betway Premier League victory last week against Raymond van Barneveld, and he should feel comfortable playing a man he has spent hundreds of hours practicing with.
The world champion will also enjoy a fast-paced game, however, so expect The Flying Scotsman to remind Bully Boy exactly who is boss.
11/8 – Peter Wright to beat Adrian Lewis
Peter Wright fell at the final hurdle in his quest for a first major title once again on Sunday, enjoying a cracking run to the UK Open final only to meet the unstoppable force of Michael van Gerwen.
There is no shame in that defeat, however, and that performance in the tournament has only cemented his status as one of the top five players in the world.
Adrian Lewis, Wright’s opponent on Thursday, did not have such a good time in Minehead – being dumped out in the last 16 by Jelle Klaasen.
What is more, he will likely still be reeling from an absolute tonking by Phil Taylor last time out in this competition.
Jackpot actually has a good recent record against Wright, winning their last three meetings, but there can be no denying that Snakebite is in better form which should see him pinch it in Nottingham.
7/2 – Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade to draw
There have been surprisingly few draws in the Betway Premier League so far this season, but this match-up looks a definite candidate for a stalemate.
Both men have been pretty inconsistent so far, with their campaigns looking like they will follow the familiar pattern of floating around the play-off picture right until crunch time.
They have a very even head-to-head record, and have already four times in this competition in the past.
With neither player in particularly good form, this one could well finish all square again.
2/7 – Phil Taylor to beat Robert Thornton
With Phil Taylor in such fantastic form there looks to be only one winner when he meets Robert Thornton on Thursday.
The Power lost out in the semi-finals of the UK Open but looked great throughout, and is coming off the back of four straight games in the Betway Premier League.
There were some question marks over Thornton’s place in this competition at the start of the tournament, and with just one point from his opening four games he is yet to answer them.
The Scot also had a shocker in the UK Open, with no evidence to suggest that he can spring a surprise against the fourteen-time world champion.
2/7 – Michael van Gerwen to beat Dave Chisnall
There is little anyone can do when playing Michael van Gerwen at the moment, with Dave Chisnall surely the latest to crash to defeat at the hands of the Dutchman on Thursday night.
Mighty Mike is in scarily good form which has seen him climb to the top of the Betway Premier League table and retain his UK Open title on Sunday after comfortably dispatching Phil Taylor in the semi and Peter Wright in the final.
Even at the top of their game, there are few who can match the world No. 1 at the moment – and with Chizzy in the middle of a bad spell it is hard to see him coming close.
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