It’s absolutely must win time for certain men tonight as the Premier League nears its close. The pressure will be on as Whitlock, Lewis, Wade and Jenkins all desperately need points in the scramble for the fourth play-off spot. So it’s game on in Bournemouth.
The Wizard v Webby
Simon Whitlock desperately needs to win this one to keep his hopes of the semi-finals alive going into the final week, but unfortunately his result last time out might have put paid to that dream already.
I still fully expect him to defeat the hapless Mark Webster in Bournemouth but with the prospect of an on-fire Phil Taylor in the final week, these two points might be the last he will get which I think will leave him just short of the top four.
You can never write off the Aussie because he is such a determined character, and a big win this week could see him play a blinder against The Power to sneak in, but I can’t quite see it.
The less said about Webby the better at this stage, and I think he’d be fine with that. He’s completely lost confidence and I can’t see it returning on Thursday. It will be back though, we’ll just have to sit tight.
Prediction: Whitlock 8 – 3 Webster
Betting Tip: Under 12.5 legs is 6/5
Priestley’s Pick: Simon needs a win to try and keep his hope up for a play-off place. Unfortunately for Mark his season is over, although this could lift some weight off his shoulders and make him play without fear. Simon needs the points more and I think he will be too good for Mark tonight. Whitlock to win 8-3
The Flying Scotsman v Barney
Second meets third in what is effectively a dead rubber, but hopefully that will produce an entertaining spectacle as both players relax.
It is certainly Gary Anderson who will benefit from any decrease in tension as clearly the pressure of facing Taylor on the big stage got to him last week, which was strange because he seemed to be getting very used to it.
He was nowhere near his best in Liverpool and I think he will be back to form this time out, after another win in the UK Open Qualifiers over the weekend. I should think he will be desperately wanting some momentum going into the play-offs, where he will almost certainly meet his next opponent again.
Barney has been pretty steady over the last few weeks, picking up the points he has needed to keep himself up in third place without really playing at his best. I think if he wants to compete with Anderson, and has any real hopes of lifting the trophy, he is going to have to improve on this form, but there is no reason to believe he can’t do this.
I have no doubt in my mind that this will be a really tight one and I’m really struggling to pick a winner, whilst also being wary of just plumping for the draw. Right, coin toss time.
Prediction: Anderson 8 – 6 Barneveld
Betting Tip: Half-time draw is 9/4
Priestley’s Pick: Gary has already secured a play-off spot and Ray needs a win to make certain of his spot. A point for Barney would more than likely be enough but I think the scoring power of Gary will be too much for Ray to handle. Anderson to win 8-6
The Bull v Jackpot
Terry Jenkins has, very unexpectedly, kept himself in with a very faint chance of making fourth place in the league; although the darting gods will rally have to be smiling on him if he is to pull off such a miracle.
Three points from his last two games and his new darts are starting to look like they’ve done him the world of good. He wasn’t under much pressure last week with Webster only averaging 84, but Jenks’ checkout rate of 73% was as good as you’re likely to see from anyone.
Whether it looks like he can qualify or not, The Bull will keep on battling and if he can pinch a point then it could really throw a spanner in the works for his opponent’s qualification chances.
His adversary comes in the form of the current World Champion who got back to winning ways at the perfect juncture last week with a fine performance and win over The Wizard. It was vital he won that match and he came to the fore at just the right time.
Lewis has said himself that he is confident of finishing fourth and he will go into this clash expecting to win, which means if he gets on a roll he’ll be hard to stop, but if he starts badly the pressure could get to him.
It’ll be another close one, but I think Adrian will put an end to Terry’s chances.
Prediction: Jenkins 5 – 8 Lewis
Betting Tip: Lewis half-time & full-time is 5/4
Priestley’s Pick: A must win game for Adrian if he plans on making the finals. A good win last week for both players see them coming into this game with a bit of form. Adrian needs the points more than Terry which I think will make the difference. Lewis to win 8-4
The Machine v The Power
I am loathed to try and big up a Phil Taylor game anymore in this competition, because every time it looks like someone might come close to beat him it ends up being another hammering, with the exceptions of Lewis & Anderson, but the Scot’s near miss in Manchester was nearly two months ago now.
Wade knows that if he loses he will most likely be out of the competition, and certainly by the time he takes to the stage he will know of exactly what to do as he’s on last. He was desperately unlucky not to win last week as he actually averaged the highest of anyone in Liverpool with 102, to Taylor’s 101.
If anyone can really challenge Taylor then it’s Wade at his best, and although he’s been getting close I’m not sure he’s quite there yet, and the immense pressure he’ll be under compared to the none that The Power will feel could well make the difference.
Prediction: Wade 4 – 8 Taylor
Betting Tip: Over 7.5 180s is evens
Priestley’s Pick: Clash of the night sees a repeat of last season’s final. Taylor is in imperious form again this season and James has shown signs of recapturing his best form over the last month. James needs the points to get in the play offs and I have a sneaky feeling he could pull a result out of the hat. Draw
All my picks are odds on, I can’t see any major shocks, so the accumulator mine provides is just a 4/1, but with Dennis’ draw it shoots up to a huge 24/1.
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