With just four matches to go the Premier League rolls into the second city and if anyone hadn’t realised before, every match now is very, very important. There could be some hugely decisive results in Birmingham, and every player is hoping to be on the right end of them.
The Machine v Webby
The first decision that could be made is the fate of the Welshman, who could be the first man to exit the competition if things don’t go his way on Thursday. He has been languishing at the foot of the table and has shown very few signs indeed of turning it around, his 8-1 routing at the hands of Anderson last week certainly didn’t change anyone’s mind. It’s only a matter of time before Webby is eliminated from the tournament, and I’m afraid it is most likely to be this week.
Webster’s fall from grace has coincided with James Wade’s sensational revival which he impressively continued in Sheffield against The Wizard. It was always in the back of the mind that Wade might produce this, but hope for him was ebbing away until his two fine victories in the last two weeks have put him right back in the mix for the play-offs. A win is unlikely to get him quite into fourth place, but it will continue his momentum and if he manages it you wouldn’t bet against him being at Wembley on May 19th.
Webster will have to produce something very special to crack The Machine, and I think his only hope is if the former champion becomes complacent after beating two “superior” opponents. It looks like Wade is on the charge though and I’m going to have to back him.
Prediction: Wade 8 – 3 Webster
Betting Tip: I fancy under 5.5 180s as neither of these two are prolific on the maximums
Priestley’s Pick: Another win last week for James and unfortunately for Mark another defeat. If Mark wants to reach the play-offs he must win all his remaining fixtures and the same could be said for James. It looks as though James is getting back to his best and I think he will carry on his run again tonight. Wade to win 8-4
The Bull v Barney
Much like his Welsh compatriot, Terry Jenkins was on the wrong end of quite a thrashing last time out and looks like he isn’t going to be extending his stay in the competition past week 14. With just five points from ten games he simply hasn’t been up with the pace on a consistent enough basis and his famous fighting spirit hasn’t quite been evident enough.
I fear that unless The Bull can have a really good rest of 2011 and a decent next World Championships, this could be his last Premier League, so I really hope he doesn’t go out with a whimper.
Barney has been pretty sensational at times, although not the most consistent, however if, before a dart was thrown, you’d had offered him third place with 12 points at this stage of the contest he would have bitten your generous hand off. You fear he can’t quite perform anymore in the really big matches, but I hope he will prove me wrong. What he is having no problems anymore with is winning the games he should do, and this is one he really should.
Having said that he lost to The Bull in week one, but things have changed greatly since then and I can only see The Dutchman winning this.
Prediction: Jenkins 4 – 8 Barney
Betting Tip: You can go with mine and Dennis’ score pick at 5-1
Priestley’s Pick: Another win for Barneveld last week and a great performance. Terry will be smarting after another defeat at the hands of Taylor. Barney is flying again this season and I think he will be too good for Terry this week. Barneveld to win 8-4
The Wizard v The Flying Scotsman
Things really should start to hot up in the third match of the night as the Aussie will be looking to cement his place in the top four, but has the menacing presence of Gary Anderson in his way.
Whitlock last year seemed to be impervious to nerves and pressure, but has seems a totally different beast this campaign as he proved last week against Wade as he missed a ridiculous amount of doubles which eventually cost him the match.
He has still shown his brilliant best over the last ten weeks, but only in patches, and he will without a doubt have to produce it if he wants to defeat the Scot.
Anderson has got his rhythm back after his patchy mid-season spell and is all but secure for a play-off spot. Whatever happens in this match he is still likely to be in second place when the players travel to Liverpool the travelling week so pressure will be off to an extent. However, this doesn’t mean he won’t be giving his all, because he certainly will and will be as tough an opponent as any for the Australian.
It’s going to be a really close one and although I thought I’d given up on predicting these, I’m going for the draw.
Prediction: Whitlock 7 – 7 Anderson
Betting Tip: Anderson is 11/10 to be over 4.5 180s, Whitlock is 6/5. I fancy both.
Priestley’s Pick: Two of the top scorers in the game come head to head this week. Expect 180s a plenty! I think Gary has got over his mid-season lull and is going to be hard to beat. A defeat for Simon last week makes this a must win. Close to call but Anderson to win 8-6
The Power v Jackpot
What odds will anyone get on a repeat of the score from week one? Very long ones indeed I should think, and I am certainly not predicting anything like that happening again. Lewis’ 8-2 thrashing of Taylor on the opening night will never be forgotten, but The Power will be trying to go some way to at least partially erase the memory in Birmingham.
Taylor has been sensational ever since that night, defeating everyone that has dared to step in front of him in the Premier League, and if that wasn’t scary enough has carried on his immense form away from the TV cameras as he was in both UK Open Qualifier finals at the weekend, winning the second one. It’s hard to see the great man averaging under 100 at the minute and I don’t think he will on Thursday.
The World Champion’s form has been quite patchy of late and his fairly limp defeat to Barney last week will have been a worry to his fans. Another loss here could potentially leave him three points off a play-off spot with just three games to play and two of those are against Whitlock and Anderson. Jackpot will be giving it his all, but will it be enough? I’m not so sure.
Prediction: Taylor 8 – 5 Lewis
Betting Tip: Under 7.5 180s is 10/11
Priestley’s Pick: Phil had another comfortable win last week and Adrian lost another match. Adrian beat Phil early on in the season but I think Phil will get his revenge this week. Close start with Taylor pulling away. Taylor to win 8-5
My four picks come in at 15/1 and I think it’s worth a couple of quid although obviously the draw is a risk. Dennis’ choices are at 6/1 if you choose to back the Scot over the Aussie.
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