Premier League Darts – Week 1 (Manchester Arena)

Premier League darts returns to our screens tomorrow evening with week 1 at the Manchester Arena.

World numbers 1 and 2 are in opposition on the first night as they were last year when Lewis beat Taylor 8-2. Lewis has since defended his world crown and if Taylor’s double-woes continue the younger Lewis may again have the edge.

Last year’s Premier League winner Gary Anderson should have too much power for a rejuvenated Kevin Painter. Painter booked his place for this year’s event when he won the Cash Converters Players Championship in November and also gave a decent showing in the World Championship. Anderson’s scoring ability should be too much for the ‘Artist’ and I predict an 8-3 win for the scot.

Premier League debutant, world finalist Andy Hamilton, takes on world number 3 James Wade in the opening match and the Aldershot man should be good enough to kick off his campaign with a win in his quest to regain the title he won in 2009. Hamilton earned his spot in this event with a great showing in the world championship where he finished runner up to Adrian Lewis but prior to that had been in no sort of form.

Australian Simon Whitlock is second on and should comfortably take care of a waning Raymond van Barneveld. Barney shows no real signs of regaining the form he showed in the first few years of joining the PDC and his heart for a fight when under pressure on the oche is non-existent. The Wizard of Oz on the other hand is a player on the rise and looks certain to give an overall better account of himself than did in his debut season last year. Back the Aussie to win 8-3 & 8-4.

On the back of the statement regarding the Dutchman my only bet for the Premier League season is to back Barney to finish bottom at around the 7/2 mark. Unless getting off to a flyer I can see him just going through the motions and when his chance of progress beyond the league stages is disappearing he will just wilt as he has done on numerous occasions in the last couple of years.

My Big Bets

3pts A.Lewis to beat P.Taylor @ 2/1
8pts G.Anderson to beat A.Hamilton @ 8/15
2pts each S.Whitlock to beat Barney 8-3 @ 7/1 & 8-4 @ 15/2
8pts J.Wade to beat A.Hamilton @ 8/13
4pts R.van Barneveld to finish bottom of Premier League @ 7/2