Barney in top form and ready to lift the trophy again, against the odds
The 2015 Betway Premier League has been a roller coaster ride, but we could finish this year exactly where we did 12 months ago. With Raymond van Barneveld holding the trophy aloft.
The Dutch great is the form horse in the race for Betway Premier League glory. Barney has won six and drawn two of his last eight, not losing since March 26th in this competition. Even in his last defeat RVB averaged over 104, so he really has been playing well for a considerable spell.
This sees the five-time world champ go into the play-offs as confident as any of the four combatants in London. Having downed Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen on the O2 stage last year, he will have very fond memories of this event.
It is Van Gerwen he meets in the semi-finals on Thursday and Barney is a ridiculous 11/4 to win that match. Given RVB won last time they met in this tournament and in the same fixture in last year’s final, this price does seem unmissable.
Van Gerwen is, of course, a sublime player and topped the league table for a third straight year. He has, however, become quite erratic of late. His last six Betway Premier League matches have produced three defeats, one draw and just two wins, hardly a dominant record.
Barney is just too good to turn down at 11/4.
The other semi-final is an all-British affair between Dave Chisnall and Gary Anderson, and this too could produce a shock.
Chisnall is going in as the underdog at 6/4 but he has already beaten Anderson in both their Betway Premier League meetings this year.
Chizzy has also been the consistently better performer over the campaign; occupying a spot in the top two for 13 of the 15 weeks whilst Anderson managed just two.
The Flying Scotsman may have more experience in the big games, but we cannot ignore Chisnall’s prolonged good form. The Englishman looks a great punt to reach the final.
In the lead up to Thursday’s action, Barney is a giant 6/1 to win the event. If he disposes of MVG then this will tumble, if it is Chisnall he faces then it will fall still further.
Back Barney at this whopping price.
Dave Chisnall to beat Gary Anderson @ 6/4
Raymond van Barneveld to beat Michael van Gerwen @ 11/4
Raymond van Barneveld to win 2015 Betway Premier League @ 6/1
