Thursday, May 12th – The 2011 season of the Premier League darts enters its final round this week. Phil Taylor confirmed his awesomeness with his 12th straight victory in the league, meaning that he has still topped the table every season since the inception of the Premier League darts. It is pretty amazing how he just keeps going. Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Holland’s Raymond van Barneveld also joined Taylor in booking a qualification spot for the knockout stages in the finals. That leaves just one spot up for grabs, and that comes down to Adrian Lewis and Simon Whitlock. Lewis is in that fourth place at the moment, and hold a strong leg advantage of +7 compared to Whitlock’s -1 on the season. So it looks as if the current World Champion of darts will be in the finals. However, those two players on the cusp of qualification, do have to each go up against one of the top two players in the league on the final round of games, which are being played at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. Will there be a twist in the final fixtures? The competition start at the Wembley Arena and that is where the top four will be headed to on May 19th, as the Premier League Darts finals night takes place. Three have already booked their place, there is just a final jostling of position for second and third place to come, along with that scrap for the fourth qualification spot. Here is our darts betting guide for this week’s action.
Good news for you darts fans. You can watch two of the night’s matches with Bet365 live streaming! Yes, the actions will be throwing its way to your computer thanks to these live streams from highly recommended online bookmaker Bet365. You can see Phil Taylor take on Simon Whitlock, as well as Raymond van Barneveld v Mark Webster. This is a great service from Bet365 and is FREE for funded account holders at Bet365. It is a great way to tune in, as well as do some live in play betting as well. Popular online bookmaker Bet365 offers customers registering a new account, a £200 free bet! Step up to the oche and hit your own bulls eye with that offer!
Adrian Lewis v Gary Anderson
Well, Lewis, the current World Champion, will probably squeeze into the final top four. He is pole position and only freak results will put him out. He squares off against Gary Anderson, and Lewis would need just a point to book his passage to the finals. There is an interesting scenario though, because if Lewis gets beaten by a big margin, and Whitlock wins his match by enough legs, there is still hope for the Aussie. When Lewis and Anderson came together earlier in the season, Lewis really stepped up to the mark with a big 8-3 victory over the Scotsman. That is the kind of performance which he needs again to close out proceedings in fourth place. It doesn’t matter what any of the players in the top three do, Lewis can only finish fourth at best. Inconsistency has plagued Lewis, winning 6, losing 6 an drawing 1 along the way, and after losing three matches on the trot, he has bounced back in his last two matches to win both, which included the crucial win over Whitlock. That will probably prove to be the straw which breaks Whitlock’s back in the finals race. If Lewis loses, then it could set up an exciting night. Anderson, a real bright spark on the season, will be looking to cement second place after losing to Barneveld last week. No reason why Anderson can’t upset the apple cart here, but Lewis has to start as the hungrier of the two. Still, would tip a more relaxed Anderson to edge it.
Anderson Evens at VC Bet, Lewis 15/8 at SkyBet, Draw 4/1 at Bet365
James Wade v Terry Jenkins
Nothing to play for in this match, except for confidence on the part of James Wade probably. Wade hasn’t been great over the season of the Premier League darts, but with results, could finished tied on points for fourth place. However, he has a -13 leg average and even if he beat Jenkins 8-1 that that would still be too much to make up for him. Wade did beat Jenkins earlier in the season 8-6, but on the large part has been a bit disappointing by his standards. He did put together a four match unbeaten run, and that’s about his highlight. Lost to Phil Taylor last week 8-4 which is no disgrace. As for Jenkins, he has struggled to keep pace right from the get go, wining just three matches on the season and having a -30 leg average. So, it looks as if a James Wade victory will be on the cards for this match. It is just a little too late to mean anything for him though.
8/11 at Blue Square, Jenkins 3/1 at Totesport, Draw 9/2 at Boylesports
Mark Webster v Raymond van Barneveld
Welshman Webster finished rock bottom of the pile in the 2011 Premier League Darts season. Simply has not been at the races after going into things as a hot tip. Just has not performed week in week out again some of the best in the world. There have been just two wins for Webster, but did redeem himself last week in a 7-7 tie against Simon Whitlock, which was a bit of a surprise, and something which ruined Whitlock’s chances of finishing in fourth. As for Dutchman Barneveld, well his performances have been a pleasant surprise. It’s a lot of trekking back and forth for him, and has never really looked highly motivated for the competition. Has gone well though, and will look to steal second place off Scotsman Gary Anderson here. He would need Anderson not to win in order to do that, and win himself of course. As he is going up against Mark Webster, and comes into the match of a morale boosting victory over Anderson last week, Barneveld should walk this one. Barneveld beat Webster 8-4 earlier in the season.
Barneveld 1/2 at SkyBet, Webster 15/4 at Totesport, Draw 5/1 at Paddy Power
Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock
If Adrian Lewis loses his match against Gary Anderson in the opening fixture of the night, this really will be a fascinating finale. It would mean that Whitlock would need to win himself and by enough, depending on how many Lewis would lose by. It is all down to the mathematics, but there is the bigger problem of having to play a proud Phil Taylor, who is unlikely to turn up and just go through the motions. That is not Taylor’s style. Phil The Power Taylor banged out an 8-5 victory over Whitlock earlier in the campaign, with the Aussie acquitting himself pretty well. But that is now twelve unbeaten matches for Phil Taylor since losing the opening fixture of the season against Adrian Lewis. That is phenomenal form, and his consistency is the key factor in him being so good in this format. He is already on a +52 leg average (with the next best a +16 from Anderson) and saw off compatriot James Wade last week. As for Aussie Whitlock, well The Wizard really failed to cast a magic spell last week, dropping a vital point in a 7-7 tie against Mark Webster. That was a big blow, but it still equates to the fact that he needs to win, and needs Lewis to lose. Is it going to happen? Is there going to be a dramatic conclusion to the 2011 Premier League darts season? This is Phil Taylor we are talking about, so it is hard to see.
Taylor 1/4 at Boylesports, Draw 13/2 at SkyBet, Whitlock 7/1 at Totesport
2011 Premier League Darts Standings
Phil Taylor: P13 W12 D0 L1 Pts 24 (Q)
Gary Anderson: P13 W8 D0 L5 Pts 16 (Q)
Raymond van Barneveld: P13 W7 D2 L4 Pts 16 (Q)
Adrian Lewis: P13 W 6 D1 L6 Pts 13
Simon Whitlock: P13 W5 D1 L7 Pts 11
James Wade: P13 W5 D1 L7 Pts 11
Terry Jenkins: P13 W3 D2 L8 Pts 8
Mark Webster: P13 W2 D1 L10 Pts 5
2011 Premier League Darts Outright Winner Betting Odds
Phil Taylor: 2/5 at 888Sport
Gary Anderson: 11/2 at Totesport
Raymond van Barneveld: 11/1 at Boylesports
Adrian Lewis: 16/1 at SportingBet
Simon Whitlock: 250/1 at SkyBet
