The Welsh capital is treated to some Premier League action this week, with their football team wobbling some-what, they might just have to make the most of it this Thursday.
The Machine v The Flying Scotsman
James Wade has looked completely out of his depth at times this tournament, last week against Phil Taylor certainly being one of those times, and he is deservedly bottom of the league at the half way point. Although he has looked it, The Machine can’t be out of his depth in this competition as he narrowly lost in the final last year and lifted the trophy the year before, but he is very much out of form.
His confidence looks unbelievably fragile for a man who has won six majors in the PDC and at the minute he is a sitting duck for anyone in form. Sometimes you can question his motivation, but it was emphasised by the Sky commentary team last week that he was really up for his game with The Power, just to be swept aside.
The Flying Scotsman is on a three game losing run, only matched by Webster in the (lack of) form table. These have come in extreme circumstances though, as losing to Taylor and Barneveld when they’re on form is no disgrace, and of course the events in Scotland are mitigating.
Anderson hasn’t been playing badly, and put in a good performance in Crawley over the weekend which suggests he is in a pretty good rhythm.
I can’t look past Anderson for this one I’m afraid.
Prediction: Wade 3 – 8 Anderson
Betting Tip: Safe Bet is Anderson most 180s, but it’s only 8/15
Wade under 95 average is 5/6
Priestley’s Pick: Anderson has lost the last 3 weeks and James is having a shocker of a season so far. If both players brought their A game then this could be a classic. James needs a performance to turn his season round but I think Anderson will bounce back with a win. Anderson to win 8-4
The Bull v The Wizard
These two men will be confident of making a push and nicking the last semi-final spot, but this game could go a long way to boosting and crushing the hopes of either man.
Jenkins has performed better than many would have predicted and sits in sixth spot and not a million miles from fourth at all. He showed more of his battling qualities last week in snatching a draw from Lewis, and expect to see much more of that this week.
Whitlock looked very good last week as he comprehensively dispatched Webster, but he hasn’t quite hit the heights he did last year. His previously unerring finishing ability has deserted him to an extent, but even not at his very best he has still been good enough to pick up three wins and lie in fifth position.
I would expect The Wizard’s scoring ability to just be slightly too much for The Bull, although there won’t be too much in this at all I should think.
Prediction: Jenkins 5 – 8 Whitlock
Betting Tip: Whitlock winning at half time is evens
Whitlock most 180s is 4/6
Priestley’s Pick: Terry was involved in the 1st draw of the season last week while Whitlock picked up another win. Both players need the points and a good draw from Terry last week coming from behind will give him confidence. I think that Simons finishing will be enough to take the win from the Bull. Whitlock to win 8-5
The Power v Barney
Well this one might not be on last due to where it’s being played, but it is unquestionably the highlight for everyone outside of Wales who’ll be watching on the television. I built up the earlier clash between the two men quite heavily and it didn’t live up to expectations, but this week we could have a real classic on our hands.
Barney is looking as good as he has done for a long, long time and that means very good indeed, and Taylor is also clearly back to near enough his very best.
The key to the match will be the first six legs. If the Dutchman can hold his own throw and go in level, or even ahead at the break then the game will go the distance and be a thriller. If, however, he loses legs early on when throwing first, as he did in the earlier encounter, then we could be in for another let down.
It is impossible to doubt Taylor in this form, it is almost certain he will come up with at least an 100 average, and the pressure is on Barney to do the same and try and match him, and I think he’ll have the crowd on his side which might just help him do that.
I just can’t bet against an on-form Phil Taylor though.
Prediction: Taylor 8 – 6 Barney
Betting Tip: Barney 180s over 3.5 is 5/4
Priestley’s Pick: What a treat for the Welsh fans. Both players are playing extremely well of late and riding high in the league table. I still think Phil will have the edge but if Barney gets off to a good start anything could happen. Taylor to nick the match but I would not be surprised with any result. Taylor to win 8-6
Jackpot v Webby
The World Champ is really being put through the ringer by the PDC as again he has to face a real home favourite, this time in the form of Wales’ finest, Mark Webster.
Lewis will be happy with his fourth spot which he occupies currently, but he is very vulnerable to those below him in that position so will be looking to put some daylight between him and Whitlock in fifth.
He has played pretty well throughout the tournament, but with not enough flashes of the brilliance we know he possesses. He is second in the tournament average, only below Taylor, which shows he isn’t throwing too badly at all, and a tweet from Russ Bray earlier in the week suggested that he is very much in rhythm this week.
Webster, on the other hand, has been very up and down. Three losses in a row sees him sitting in seventh place and he was pretty abject last time out against Whitlock. However, he will take confidence from his win against Lewis earlier in the tournament, which was easily his best performance so far and saw him averaging 110.
Webby knows he can beat Jackpot, but he will have to replicate that performance he put in back in Exeter, which I’m not sure he’ll be able to do, despite the crowd’s backing.
Prediction: Lewis 8 – 4 Webster
Betting Tip: You can get 8-4 at 7/1
Draw half time/Lewis full-time is 9/2
Priestley’s Pick: Another fixture in which Lewis will face a partisan crowd. After how he reacted in Glasgow I think that this was the making of Adrian even more than his World Championship win. Webster will be looking to impress his home following and if he sets off well the crowd could carry him to victory. A close game but Lewis will score his way to the win. Lewis to win 8-5
Well me and The Menace are inseparable in our predictions this week for the very first time. Maybe this will be the first time we get four out of four. Get your money on folks at 11/2 with SkyBet.
No comments:
Post a Comment