The Premier League hits its half-way point in sunny Brighton and the table could really start to take some definitive shape. Taylor looks to exert his dominance further and Barney and Anderson will do battle to keep up with him.
Webby v The Wizard
Level on four points and a -7 leg difference going into this contest, you would think that something has got to give, unless of course we finally get the draw me and Dennis have been predicting for so long.
This contest is a strong candidate to finish seven apiece as the stats clearly display, but it entirely depends on which side of each player turns up. Both men have turned in excellent displays so far this tournament, but both have been pretty woeful at times. Webster against Lewis was probably the best display of anyone so far, but against Anderson and to an extent Jenkins he was well below par. Whitlock in one game managed to go from pole to pole as he got off to a flyer against Jackpot but slumped to a fairly limp end.
If one is firing and the other isn’t then it could be quite one sided, but if both find some form or equally both are struggling, then it should be very tight.
Both will be viewing this as a must win game in an attempt to break out of the bottom four and the pressure will be on, but under similar pressure I just can’t call it.
Prediction: Webster 7 – 7 Whitlock
Betting Tips: Webster high checkout is 11/10 – he’s been cracking on the ton-plusses so far
Draw is 10/3
Priestley’s Pick: A repeat of the 2008 BDO World final. Webster came out on top on that occasion but I think Whitlock will shade this encounter. Both players have had a topsy turvey season and will be crying out for a bit of consistency. Whitlock to win 8-6
Jackpot v The Bull
The World Champion proved last week, if there were any remaining doubters that he has matured into a real contender for this title. It seems odd to suggest that the reigning World Champ wouldn’t be a contender, but he did have to prove it to some, and he certainly has done that.
Lewis will have hopefully put all that went on in Glasgow behind him now and is just concentrating on getting back in front of a relatively normal crowd and throwing his best. He should take a lot of heart from coming out of the lion’s den with a big win and could really come out firing off the back of it.
Terry has looked good in patches so far this tournament, but has also been completely swept aside at times and I fear it could be another one of those evenings for The Bull. If he can hit one or two maximums early on and hold his own throw then he has a great chance because he is a quality player, but I fancy Lewis to take this one.
Prediction: Lewis 8 – 3 Jenkins
Betting Tip: Over 6.5 180s is 4/5 – think this is a cert
Priestley’s Pick: A great performance from Adrian last week under trying circumstances. Although he should not have had to put up with the trouble it will have done wonders for his character. Terry will have to be at his best to contend with the scoring power of Lewis. Lewis to win 8-4
Barney v The Flying Scotsman
Well this for me should be the highlight of the evening as second and third place square-off to try and keep in touch with the man at the top of the table. Both have shown great form so far this tournament and very much deserve to be where they are in the league and it should be a very close encounter.
There were some worries about Gary after what happened last week, but a strong performance in the RTL7 International Masters took him to the semis and will have allayed any fears of a loss in confidence. Unfortunately though for The Flying Scotsman, Barney showed even better form by going one better and reaching the final.
Fans really have been treated to the best of van Barneveld over the last few weeks, which is a pleasure to see, especially as it wasn’t entirely expected. He has been brilliant, except against Taylor, in the league, and has been in sparkling form in the weekend tournaments as well.
If both men continue to play as they have been then this could be something really special and again it’s incredibly tough to call, but I’m going to resist the temptation of going for another draw.
Prediction: Barneveld 8 – 6 Anderson
Betting Tips: Barney high finish is 5/6
Anderson half time/Barney full time is interesting at 25/1
Priestley’s Pick: Gary has suffered back to back loses and I can’t see it getting any easier for him against the in-form Barney. Ray’s confidence seems to be back and I can see this been a humdinger of a game. We are due a draw this season and I think this will be it. Draw.
The Power v The Machine
Having just talked up the previous game as the stand-out contest of the evening, here is another one that has the potential to steal the show, but unfortunately it’s hard to have confidence in James Wade to make it the match it could be.
Last year these two served up arguably the best televised final ever as only two 9-darters from Taylor could secure him the win, but I’d be very surprised if he needs to perform such heroics in Brighton to pick up the win.
The Power averaged an incredible 113.6 in the final of the RTL7 International Masters on Monday, the highest ever in a televised final. He really is back to his best now and unfortunately for everyone else, when he’s at his best there’s only one way a match is going to end.
Having said this, if Wade can produce his best darts then he will push the great man all the way, but there isn’t too much evidence to suggest he will do this. I fully expect a power surge to short circuit the machine.
Prediction: Taylor 8 – 3 Wade
Betting Tip: 5-1 Taylor at the break is 100/30
Priestley’s Pick: A welcome win for James last week. Is this the start of his return to consistent form? If it is then he needs to hit the ground running against Phil. Another top display from The Power last week. If the Wade I know turns up then this could go either way but I think Phil will edge it. Taylor to win 8-6
My four picks bring you back a tempting looking 21/1, whilst SkyBet reckon Dennis’ differing selections are more likely as you’ll only get 14/1 with them for his four.
Still reckon Adrian Lewis at 11/4 is a cracking bet for most league 180s, he’s on 23, two behind Anderson, but I think he’s going to power on now.
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