Belfast beckons for the stars of the Premier League

After last week’s sensational round of action, these eight men have a lot to live up to as they do battle again on the oche.  Gary Anderson is setting the early pace, whilst Simon Whitlock is lagging behind, with everyone else tightly bunched in the middle pack.  Will anyone make a statement this week?  Well let’s see what me and Dennis reckon…

The Flying Scotsman v Webby

The two debutants have impressed so far in the Premier League, with Anderson especially catching the eye as he tops the early standings being the only player to possess a 100% record after two weeks.

The Scotsman looked imperious against Whitlock and Jenkins in his first two tests and his scoring was just too good for either man to keep up with.  His finishing has been good, although it only needs to be good and not excellent at times as he is so far ahead on points he can afford the odd miss at doubles.  His 121 to finish off the Bull last week though shows just how good he can be at combinations.  The only possible doubt you could have over Gary Anderson at the minute is that surely his form will have to dip at some point over the tournament.  There is no sign that it will be this week though.

Webster has played very well in both matches so far, it has just been the standard of opponent that has seen him win one and lose one.  Wade was not at his best in week one and lost, Taylor was formidable last week and won.  Webby will continue to play his steady but high quality game which will see him do this over the tournament, beat the out of form players, but probably lose to the in form ones.  This is why I have to go with Anderson for this one as he is without a shadow of a doubt massively in form.  If Webby can keep up his huge finishing skills which he showed against Taylor though, it will not be easy for the Scot.

Prediction: Anderson 8 – 5 Webster

Betting Tips: Highest checkout Webster (170 & a 160 last week) is 11/10
                        Anderson to win 8-6 is 11/2

Priestley’s Pick: Scotland v Wales in Northern Ireland! This could be the best game of the Premier League so far. Gary averaged above 100 last week and Mark was very close to 100 himself. I expect lots of big scores and 100 + finishes but I think Gary will just about edge this encounter.  Anderson to win 8-6

The Wizard v The Machine

The Australian is the only man of the eight on show to have failed to pick up a win, or even a point in the first two rounds of matches, Wade however put in an immense performance against Lewis last week to notch up his first two points.

Whitlock has been on the end of two sensational performances, from Anderson and then Barneveld, so it would be harsh to judge him on them, but it is fair to say he hasn’t been at his excellent best so far.  His 91 average against Barney is well below par for the Wizard, especially as Barney taking out four ton-plus finishes meant that he didn’t have too many missed doubles bringing his average down.  You would think The Wizard will need to start performing pretty soon if he is to mount any kind of challenge, and it might just be this week that he does it.

It has become slightly difficult to predict what you are going to get from The Machine recently, as his first two performances have shown, but last week’s efforts showed he is in good enough form to really compete this year.  His average was healthy at nearly 98, and three ton-plus finishes showed his eye was well and truly in, if he can keep that up then he’ll win more than he loses.

Wade would be the obvious choice following last week, but I fancy Whitlock to bounce back this week and start to challenge, The Machine’s form looks good enough to avoid defeat though, so I’m going with the draw.

Prediction: 7 - 7

Betting Tips: Wade 180s over 3.5 is 6-5
                        Tie 7-2

                        Match to produce most 180s is 11-4

Priestley’s Pick: I called both of these guys matches wrong last week so I hope to make two negatives into a positive. After how James played last week it looks like a return to form and I can see him carrying on this week. I think James will make a quick start and then be too consistent on his own throw. Wade to win 8-5

Jackpot v Barney

Two world champions squaring off in Thursday's third match of the night, and it has the potential to be an absolute cracker.  Two weeks ago you wouldn't have thought that, but with Barney's sensational return to form last time out, and a chink in Lewis' armour being displayed against Wade last week, the two are on a much more level playing field.

Barney really was fantastic in Nottingham, producing the kind of display that has been far too rare over the last couple of years, and this week is a very good test for him to see if he can maintain that kind of form.  Hopefully he has found his rhythm now and is happy with his game, it's hard to imagine he is not with his four ton-plus finishes last week.  If this is the case then his chances of reaching the semi-finals are very much alive, and you couldn't rule him out of winning the tournament.  However, one win, against a relatively out of form player shouldn't get us too excited, so we will wait and see.

The Dutchman will be facing some stern competition from Adrian Lewis, who after the euphoria of hammering Taylor will have been desperately disappointed with his loss to Wade last week.  He certainly didn't perform badly in Nottingham, averaging 99 and taking out a couple of ton-plusses, so he won't have thought his form has deserted him, but it will have been a dent in his confidence.  After the events of the last couple of months though, a mere dent won't have caused too many problems and I fully expect him to continue his exellent performances.

I really hope this is going to be an amazing encounter, and I'd like to think Barney can show us all again what he can do, but I just find it too hard to put any faith in him nowadays, so I'm going to go for a Lewis win.  Prove me wrong Raymond!!

Prediction: Van Barneveld 5 - 8 Lewis

Betting Tip: Highest Checkout for Barney is evens after last week’s finishing exhibition.

Priestley’s Pick: The way that Barney played last week was a welcome return to form for the Dutch master. Adrian didn't get the result that he wanted so I can see him doubling his efforts this week. A close encounter which I cannot call. Draw

The Power v The Bull

A regular fixture in the Premier League, and indeed over many competitions over the last few years, but it has been Taylor that has dominated encounters between the two men, with Jenkins some-what living in the great man's shadow.

The Power looked back to his incredible best last week with his seven 180s helping his average reach nearly 104, which will win the vast majority of game in the competition.  It seems that his performance against Adrian Lewis was a blip, having looked good in winning the Players Championship Finals in Doncaster before the Premier League kicked off, and being on top form in Nottingham.  This is a chance for Taylor to confirm that he is still top dog and rightful favourite for the tournament by beating a player that he has defeated so often in the past.  The Power didn't compete in the weekend's Players Championships in Derby, but you can bet he'll have been on the practice board and be raring to go in Belfast.

The Bull was far from disgraced last time out against Gary Anderson as many wouldn't have managed the four legs he did with the form the Scotsman is in, but his 91 average, certainly wasn't anything spectacular.  Jenkins will scrap away again with Taylor and it won't be an easy ride for the world number one, but if The Power can keep up his average from last week I can't see Jenkins being able to live with it.

I can't look past Taylor for this one I'm afraid.

Prediction: Taylor 8 - 4 Jenkins

Betting Tip: Draw half time Taylor Full time 4-1

Priestley’s Pick: I said last week that Phil doesn't lose two weeks on the bounce but I can definitely see him winning two weeks on the bounce. The way Phil played last week was a return to the norm and I cannot see Terry been able to match The Powers play. Taylor to win 8-4

So there’s the view from Bull Finish, if you go with my picks you can get them at 17/1, whereas Dennis’ picks offer an even healthier 22/1, so consider a pound or two one those perhaps.