These lads may not steal from the rich or give to the poor
But a whitewash is on the cards as we roll on towards Judgement Night
When Michael Van Gerwen enters a tournament and throws to even 50% of his level, he wins it. Simple as, no questions asked. That theory was proved again over the weekend as he stormed to the UK Open title at Minehead. He’s on top of the table, is the world number one, and a key part of this week’s Premier League Darts treble which features two legends of the game and an upset that really isn’t out of the question.
Michael Smith vs Gary Anderson – BET NOW
Protogé vs mentor. Bully Boy against the Flying Scotsman. Crap nickname against slightly less crap nickname. Anderson had a bad weekend. He was rubbish at the UK Open. And that’s not just because he threw poorly, he lost to an amateur who makes his living as a binman. Literally, rubbish. Smith didn’t fare much better, exiting at the same stage to Stuart Kellett.
With a second world title in the bag, Anderson doesn’t seem too arsed at the moment, so it makes sense to plump for the upset win for Smith at
QUICKFIRE TREBLE
Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith all to win – 6/1
Peter Wright vs Adrian Lewis – BET NOW
Peter Wright is slowly becoming this decade’s Terry Jenkins. The Bull reached nine major finals, didn’t win one, before dropping down the rankings. Wright reached his third on Sunday, and it was his third defeat.
He’s got to stop drawing blanks or he’ll turn into the darting equivalent of Aston Villa. Luckily, he’s up against Adrian Lewis this week, and he’s got a good record over Jackpot recently. Lewis exited in Minehead in the fifth round, and the odds are fair. We’re not able to split them. Lean towards Wright though at
Raymond Van Barneveld vs James Wade – BET NOW
Mr Inconsistent vs Mr Consistent. Barney likes the Premier League, but has lost three of his first five games, meaning he’s still in striking distance of the relegation zone. Wade has six points from his first six, impressive by any standard. He has an unwanted record though. Until his 161 checkout last week, the player that struck the highest checkout in the first five weeks was playing James Wade. He’s got a favourable fixture next week against Thornton, so two points here will give him momentum. Look at the Wade hat-trick of Highest Checkout, Most 180s and to win at .
Robert Thornton vs Phil Taylor – BET NOW
The Power averaged over 101 in every game at the weekend until he was eliminated by the MVG machine in the semi-finals, despite leading 4-1. Robert Thornton’s shocking run of form continued, as he lost in the second round to Arron Monk. He hasn’t averaged over 90 on the TV since last year. It does not get any easier, and he’s almost a certainty to be relegated. He’s already suffered one whitewash, and with Taylor’s form, it wouldn’t surprise me to see another 7-0 at odds of
Dave Chisnall vs Michael Van Gerwen – BET NOW
Saving the best til last. MVG won the UK Open as mentioned before, but in his quarter final against Rob Cross, he threw 18 consecutive perfect darts. A brace of 170 checkouts, a 9-darter, and a romp in the final against Wright. The way he is playing at the moment, he is unstoppable. Poor Chizzy, he’s in for a rough ride. The odds for over 7.5 180’s between two of the heaviest scorers in darts? Back the overs at