The Premier League risks the wrath of the Scots again, be kind Aberdeen.

So it’s back to Scotland for the Premier League boys, and we’re all hoping for no more of the antics we saw three weeks ago in Glasgow.  Aberdeen, the reputation of your country is in your hands…

The Flying Scotsman v The Bull

Gary Anderson did brilliantly to halt his slide last week by picking up his first win in four weeks and taking back second place in the table, he averaged 101.5 and showed that those three defeats in a row haven’t affected him too badly at all.

The issue that is key in this contest is how the crowd will affect Anderson.  He was visibly upset by the performance of his fans three weeks ago and it cost him a match he could have won against Adrian Lewis.  If the behaviour of the crowd is similarly poor then it could prove detrimental to him again.

The Bull has been battling away in mid-to-low table and I think if he had serious hopes of reaching the top four then he would have had to have beaten The Wizard last week.  As it was he took a fairly heavy defeat and I should think confidence will be fairly low in the Jenkins camp.

However, I say it every week but it’s true, he’s a real fighter and will not let Gary off lightly, although I can’t see him prevailing in this contest.

Prediction: Anderson 8 – 3 The Bull

Betting Tip: To get value on an Anderson win you can have him winning at half-time and full-time at 11/10

                        Over 7.5 180s is evens and I fancy this could well happen

Priestley’s Pick: A welcome win for Gary last week to keep him in the play off hunt. A defeat for Terry last week has made the gap to the play offs a big 4 points. If he wants to get in then he needs to make a move soon. Although it will be hard this week with Gary playing in front of a partisan crowd. Anderson will score his way to a win tonight. Anderson to win 8-4

Jackpot v The Machine

Neither of these two young Englishman are likely to get a warm reception in Aberdeen, but they are both experienced enough to not let it bother them too much.  Adrian Lewis especially has shown he is impervious to pressure as he dispatched Anderson in Glasgow and Webster in Cardiff.

The World Champ was in devastating form last time out against Webby, destroying the Welshman 8-1 and averaging over 101.  He’s won three and drawn one of his last four and very much deserves his fourth place in the league. 

When the two met in week two, Wade produced probably his best performance of the tournament so far in picking up one of the only two victories that he has managed.  Since then it has been very up and down for The Machine, but mostly down unfortunately.  

He was back on his game last week against The Flying Scotsman, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough as he went down 8-6.  There were signs though that he was back in reasonable form, and Wade in reasonable form is a match for anybody.

Despite the glimmer of hope that Wade gave his fans last week, I don’t think I can quite find it in myself to back him this time out.  I hope he is firing and can make a good game of it, and I’m sure he’ll be thinking the same, so it could be close.

Prediction: Lewis 8 – 5 Wade

Betting Tip: Wade highest checkout isn’t too bad at 11/10

                        Draw half-time/ Lewis full-time is a very tempting 11/2

Priestley’s Pick: Another fantastic performance last week from Adrian. He is showing some truly world class form of late and the real James Wade needs to turn up to match Lewis. A better performance last week from James but he needs to show more if he wants to move up the league. Lewis will be too hot to handle. Lewis to win 8-5

Webby v The Power

Well there is only one way that you can really see this one going, as the 1/7 odds that SkyBet offer on Taylor reflect, and I’m afraid I’ve got no inside info that could suggest otherwise.

The world number one has been in scintillating form ever since week two and his thrashing of Barney last week showed he isn’t letting up yet.  Until top spot in the league is guaranteed then I don’t think we’ll see a below par performance from Taylor, and even then it isn’t too likely.

His average last week was a massive 104.5 and there are very few who can compete with that.

Webster has produced a higher average than that, but has shown no signs of repeating that epic performance from week four ever since.  Two wins from his first four matches showed excellent promise, but four defeats in a row leaves Webby in seventh place and not looking like he’s going to get anywhere near the play-offs.

We all remember Webby knocking The Power out of the World Championships just a few months ago, but I can’t see a repeat performance in Aberdeen.

Prediction: Webster 2 – The Power 8

Betting Tip: I feel harsh, but 6-0 Taylor at the break is 9/1 – definitely got a chance

Priestley’s Pick: Another sensational display last week from Phil. Mark will have to seriously up his game to get close. I know Mark is capable of beating Phil and showed it at the Worlds but this is a different Taylor and I can’t see it happening this week. Taylor’s all round game will take him to victory. Taylor to win 8-3

Barney v The Wizard

Barney was on the wrong end of an 8-3 result last week whereas The Wizard triumphed by that score line, and yet there was less than one point between their averages, showing how fine the margins in the Premier League this year. 

The great Dutchman has been throwing excellently of late, but just can’t past the brick wall that is Phil Taylor, if he can put this to the back of his mind and carry on the generally good form he’s been showing then he has a great chance.

What will spur him on even more is the immense support he receives when playing north of the border.  In this sense Whitlock is unlucky as if he was facing any of the English contingent then he would be a firm favourite with the fans, but against Barney he’ll have minimal support.

The Aussie has been playing really well though and crushed Terry Jenkins last week, keeping himself in touch with the top four very nicely.  He will know that if he wants to break in to those play-off spots though, he will have to start beating those above him, and he will be hoping this is opportunity.

This is a very tight one to call, and I think could well be the best contest of the evening as the two should be very evenly matched on Thursday.  I think the crowd support will give Barney just that little bit extra that he needs to see him home though.

Prediction: Van Barneveld 8 – 6 Whitlock

Betting Tip: I think this will be a close one so over 7.5 180s at evens is decent

                       

Priestley’s Pick: A very tasty encounter. Raymond played well last week but was up against an imperious Taylor. Simon has been playing well over the last few weeks so this could be a treat for the Aberdeen fans. Whoever can get the 1st break will win the game but I think a draw is on the cards. Draw

My four picks come in at 11/2, just like last week when Dennis and I both picked the four results.  His choice of a draw in the final game of the night boosts the price up to 12/1, very tasty indeed.