Premier League Darts – Week 2 (Aberdeen AECC)

Week 2 of the Premier League has a lot to live up to following last week’s terrific action. A back to form Barney, a totally out of form Gary Anderson and the two best players ever from Stoke-on-Trent slugging their way to a deserved 7-7 draw. WOW!

The opening match at the AECC in Aberdeen sees world Champion Adrian Lewis take on Raymond van Barneveld in a fascinating contest. Lewis was simply awesome in last week’s clash with Taylor but somehow managed to let slip leads of 5-0 and 6-1. He still averaged over 104 though and if in the same kind of form should have too much ammo for a, it must be said, rejuvenated Barney. The Dutchman looked back to his former self in last week’s draw with Simon Whitlock, but for me there is still that nagging feeling that if things don’t go his way the towel comes in too soon. Lewis to win comfortably.

The second match of the evening sees Gary Anderson take on Andy Hamilton. Both players enjoyed contrasting fortunes last week with the Scot woefully out of form and his famed high scoring nowhere to be seen. He struggled to find the lipstick too often and looked more pub league than premier league. The Hammer on the other hand enjoyed a great Premier League debut, dismantling world number three James Wade with ruthless efficiency on the way to an 8-5 victory. I firmly believe that Andy Hamilton is about to claim his place amongst the elite players in the world and become a regular face on our tv screens in all the big tournaments. His showing in the World Championship and last week’s effort are testament to his class and he fears nobody. All that aside I cannot see Anderson performing as badly again. Sure to have worked on his game I think he will run out the winner in a close encounter.

Third on stage is the greatest arrowsmith of all time, Phil Taylor. This should be a no contest againster Kevin Painter after Taylors astonishing come-from-behind draw against Adrian Lewis. Amazingly Taylor could have lost that match with an average in excess of 110 but it is testament to the man’s will to win that he could give a double world champion a five leg start and still gain a draw. Painter on the other hand scraped home 8-6 against, as already mentioned, a totally out of form Anderson. If Painter had been anywhere near his best he would surely have, and expected to, win by a much more comfortable advantage. Taylor to win heavily.

The final match of the evening sees Australian Simon Whitlock toe it up with Englishman James Wade. If I hadn’t watched darts for the last six months I would probably predict a Wade win but these players fortunes have gone in opposite directions. The Wizard for the most part is the most consistent player on the circuit, with heavy scoring and the ability to take out big scores. Wade only seems to ‘turn up’ occasionally and it is a guessing game im not prepared to play when trying to find the winner of this showdown. The Aussie for me all the way.

My Big Bets (bal -21pts)

10pts A.Lewis to beat R.van Barneveld @ 5/6
7pts G.Anderson to beat A.Hamilton @ 8/11
3pts each P.Taylor to beat K.Painter 8-2 @ 7/1 & 8-3 @ 11/2
6pts S.Whitlock to beat J.Wade @ 20/21

Big bets already advised

4pts R.van Barneveld to finish bottom of Premier League @ 7/2