The Premier League comes to the Steel City (and my home town) for week 10 of the tournament and the table is really shaping up and points are becoming absolutely crucial. Taylor and Anderson look like they might have sewn up the top two spots, but the fight for third and fourth is fierce, who can stake a claim for them in Sheffield?
The Machine v The Wizard
It’s the first match of the night, but it has the potential to steal the show as both look to have hit some form at this crucial stage of the tournament. However, whilst both men picked up victories last week in Aberdeen and will have been pleased with their performances, there was a 15 point difference in the averages and there is no doubt that one man’s good form is considerably better than the other.
Simon Whitlock was in sensational touch last week hammering home a 107.9 average against Barney and surging into the top four in style. He is slowly, but surely getting back to the devastating form of last year and if he continues this return to brilliance then he will be a severe danger to anyone and everyone.
The Machine will have been delighted with his win over Lewis last week, but he won’t exactly have been over the moon with just a 92.2 average and scoring that will not get him a win most weeks. The victory will hopefully have given him a big boost in confidence though and could see him up his average and compete at the higher echelons of the table.
I hope this will be a close one, and I think it will be as I can’t see The Wizard repeating quite the scores he did last week, I still fancy him to take it though.
Prediction: Wade 5 – 8 Whitlock
Betting Tip: Over 7.5 180s is 11/10
Priestley’s Pick: A very good win for James last week when he needed it to stay in with a chance of reaching the play-offs. Simon also played a very good game and has put himself in a good position to finish in the top 4. These guys could produce an absolute scoring frenzy if they get into their stride early. I am going to opt for James this week as I saw something from him last week that makes me think he's back to form. Wade to win 8-6
Webby v The Flying Scotsman
Well this one is only going to get called one way I think as I don’t see any reason for the form book to be overturned.
Webster has been on the wrong end of some pretty one sided results of late, and ever since his world class performance against Lewis some weeks ago now, he hasn’t really got close to anyone. The Premier League is a very steep learning curve, and unfortunately for the Welshman he is at the bottom of the class at the minute, and I think he’s going to stay there for another week at least.
Anderson has had no such troubles adapting to life in the competition and is rightfully in second place after a cracking return to form against Jenkins last week, averaging over 100 again in front of his home crowd. He will not be feeling much pressure anymore at all as just a couple more wins will see him into the semi-finals and I think he’ll get one of them in Sheffield.
Prediction: Webster 2 – 8 Anderson
Betting Tip: Anderson average over 98 is 5/6
Priestley’s Pick: A disappointing week for Mark who desperately needs to produce some form if he wants to make the play-offs. Gary has reignited his season and played very well last week. I think that the all round game of Anderson will be too much for Mark. Mark needs to get at Gary early to have a chance. Anderson to win 8-3
The Bull v The Power
Very similar to the previous match here I’m afraid as one man looks set to completely overpower the other and it is of course Mr Taylor that I fancy to come out on top.
The Bull has played pretty well this year in the league, but hasn’t really been able to compete when he’s been faced with someone who’s really in form as Anderson has shown twice and The Power himself did in their first encounter. His only chance is to come flying out of the blocks and get a break in early and do his best to hold his own throw, I can’t see it happening though.
Taylor has looked unbeatable since his defeat in week one, and without having to pull out his very best 110 to 115 averages he’s been winning games comfortably. I think he’ll produce another three figure average and
will be enough to maintain his comfortable lead at the top.
Terry will scrap away, but I don’t think he’ll be able to get close to an on-song Taylor.
Prediction: Jenkins 2 – 8 Taylor
Betting Tip: 5-1 Taylor at half time is 9/4
Priestley’s Pick: What can you say about the quality of darts that Phil is throwing at the minute? It was another dismantling of a top quality player last week and unfortunately for Terry I think it will be the case again. Terry still has a chance to reach the play-offs but needs results fast. Taylor to win 8-2
Barney v Jackpot
If Wade can produce some form in the opener then it could be a cracker, but this is the contest that is quite rightly the headline act. Both men were defeated last week, somewhat surprisingly some may say and will be looking to bounce back, so with two wounded animals facing each other, which is to be most feared?
Barney played exceptionally well last week and was unlucky to lose to an inspired Whitlock, so as long as this hasn’t knocked his confidence too much then he should be alright to continue to play in the excellent way he has been.
Lewis had a very bad day at the office last week and is a lot better than averaging in the low nineties. He does seem to struggle against Wade and this could just be a blip, and he will certainly have been working hard all week to make sure it was just that.
This is going to be a really close one, but I think there’s going to be a winner, and he comes from Den Haag.
Prediction: Van Barneveld 8 – 5 Lewis
Betting Tip: Over 7.5 180s is evens
Priestley’s Pick: Both players lost their fixtures last week so will be aiming to bounce back with a win. This could be a very close affair and 1 break of throw could be the difference. Both players love a 180 and I think we could be in for bucket full tonight. I'm going to stick my neck out and go for a Barneveld victory. Barney to win 8-6
SkyBet seem to agree with my four tips as you only get a meagre 5/1 for my four picks, although if Dennis is right and Wade picks up a win then you can double that to 10/1.
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