Dave Chisnall is a 180 machine when playing well and should hit plenty this year
The Premier League has become synonymous with huge averages and shed loads of 180s. One man that is as consistent as any when it comes to maximums is Dave Chisnall and he looks a great bet to land more than anyone else over the 16-week Betway Premier League.
Chizzy has not quite tidied up the rest of his game to make him a serious threat in major championships, but his 180 hitting is as good as anyone’s on the planet. In his quarter-final loss to Michael van Gerwen at the Masters last weekend he threw 13 maximums in an outrageous exhibition of scoring.
Last year was Chisnall’s Betway Premier League debut and whilst he did not get the results he was after, his 180 abilities were impressive. The St Helens ace managed 64 maximums in 16 games, more than any other player in the tournament, despite only winning three matches. He is likely to win more than that this time around which should only mean more 180s along the way.
Having managed the most 180s last year it is slightly surprising he is down at fourth in the betting to do so this time around; at 8/1 to out-180 the rest of the field, Chizzy has got to be worth backing.
8/1 – Dave Chisnall most tournament 180s
Debutant Huybrechts could find going tough
Set to struggle in the Betway Premier League this year is debutant Kim Huybrechts, whose qualification caused a bit of a stir. The Belgian is undoubtedly a great player but many felt he did not really do anything to justify a Betway Premier League spot over 2014, and he’ll have the added weight of trying to prove those doubters wrong in his maiden outing. As such, he does not come into the tournament with much momentum behind him and as he is not even in the world’s top 16, he did not compete at the Masters at the weekend.
The likes of Andy Hamilton and Peter Wright have done well in their Premier League debuts in recent years but that was after World Championship final appearances. Huybrechts does not have such recent success this time around and he is likely to be exposed by the immense standard of the competition. The Hurricane is 11/10 to be eliminated on Judgement Night and that is definitely worth backing.
11/10 – Kim Huybrechts to be eliminated on Judgement Night
Barney a strong candidate for semi-final place
At the other end of the table, Raymond van Barneveld is a great price to perform well this year after winning the event in 2014. The Dutchman has reached the semi-finals in seven of the nine years he has performed in the Premier League, which is a cracking record given the level of competition in the tournament. He was in the final four at the World Championship and runner-up at the Masters so his recent form cannot be questioned either.
With a brilliant record in the tournament and in impressive rhythm it is bizarre that Barney is out at 5/2 to reach the semi-finals for an eighth time this year, behind six other players in the betting. It looks like the Dutch legend is being severely under-rated and he should be backed for the top four with confidence.
5/2 – Raymond van Barneveld to reach semi-finals
